Alberta Pork Congress
The 47th annual Alberta Pork Congress will be held at Westerner Park in Red Deer June 14th & 15th.
Trade show hours are Wednesday June 14th 9-4:30 and Thursday June 15th 9-3. As of press time still tickets still available for both Wednesday evenings awards banquet and Thursdays Rib BBQ, plus on site lunches.
For more details and information contact Kate Kelly, at 403.542.7906 or email her at kate@albertaporkcongress.com •
Alberta Livestock Expo
Mark your calendars for the 5th Alberta Livestock Expo which will be held in Lethbridge October 11th & 12th at Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre (formally known as Exhibition Park).
Online booth registration now open. Check the website for latest details
albertalivestockexpo.com or call or email Chris 204.509.4941
chris@albertalivestockexpo.com •
RDSTW
The 2023 Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at Westerner Park, as our conference space from last year, Red Deer Resort and Casino, is completing renovations. Swine Tech is Alberta’s biggest technical seminar specifically aimed at furthering the practical, hands-on knowledge of producers and barn workers. This year’s line-up of speakers will cover topics including sow longevity and how to detect early lameness; low-stress handling loading and tattooing; how to prepare you barn for the winter; and much more. Watch for booth and guest registrations to open up this summer. We hope to see you there!
For more details contact Charlotte Shipp at Alberta Pork at 780.491.3528 or email Charlotte.Shipp@albertapork.com •
Aherne Awards
Do you know of an innovator who should be recognized? Someone who has developed an original solution to answer a pork production challenge? Or found a creative use of a known technology?
The Banff Pork Seminar is proud to offer a chance for you to “strut your stuff” as a technology innovator and show the rest of us how to put it into practice!
The Dr. FX Aherne Prize for Innovative Pork Production recognizes innovators involved in the pork industry who are making a difference by applying new technologies or management techniques.
Innovators can win valuable prizes and free registration to the 2024 Banff Pork Seminar, January 9-11; you’ll be recognized by your peers and the pork industry and have a chance to present your solution at the 2024 Banff Pork Seminar.
Please nominate yourself, or apply on behalf of an innovator that deserves to be recognized. Help us to find these innovators and encourage them to apply for the Dr. FX Aherne Prize for Innovative Pork Production.
Specifically, we are looking for innovators who are capable of taking a new research concept, a technology, or even a management concept and apply it successfully in the production of pork. Innovations may be related to, but are not limited to, one of the following areas: Productivity, Profitability, Working Conditions, Animal Well Being, Reduced Environmental Impact, Pork Quality and Safety.
Anyone who has developed a solution to a pork production challenge may enter. Innovations must be relevant to North American pork production but do not necessarily have to be currently in use in Canada at the time of application.
Application and more information will be available online at www.banffpork.ca. Applications must be received by October 31, 2023. Apply today! Please contact Conference Coordinator Ashely Steeple at
pork@ualberta.ca with questions. •
Saskatchewan Pork Symposium
If marking your calendars for all the events in 2023, another one to pencil in is Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium. The two day event is planned for November 7th & 8th. More details will be available in the months and issues to come.
Interested in sponsorship opportunities or an exhibitor booth at Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium? Contact lynn@saskpork.com for the 2023 Sponsorship Package.•
Brandon Hog & Livestock Expo
The one day Brandon Hog & Livestock Expo will take place Wednesday December 13th at the Keystone Centre in Brandon from 10am – 5pm.
The show will include a Pork Quality competition.
Online Booth registration now open. Check out the website hogdaysbrandon.com . For details and information contact Rhonda Coupland Tradeshow Coordinator at 204.534.0722 or email drcoup@hotmail.com •
Banff Pork Seminar
Banff Pork Seminar will return to the Castle in the Rockies January 9 – 11, 2024.
Details on registration, speakers and the topics will be released in future issues.
Check out banffpork.ca for latest updates.•
Meat Packers Oppose Rule Relaxation
The North American Meat Institute is opposing a bill that would enable state-regulated meat packers to sell their products across state lines.They want cross-border meat to require plant inspection by federal officials under the national meat inspection standards.
In Canada, plants need certification from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to sell over provincial borders.
There have been those who say provincial standards ought to be as rigorous as CFIA standards and that meat should be allowed to be sold across the country.
There are some Canadian companies that are members of the North American Meat Institute. •
— By Jim Romahn
CPC Applauds Vaccine Bank Biofuels Announcement in Budget 2023
The federal budget’s establishment of a vaccine bank for foot and mouth disease, and its support for the growth of the biofuels industry, are excellent steps for Canada’s pork industry, said Canadian Pork Council Chair Rene Roy.
The budget also outlines an increase in interest relief for agriculture producers under the Advance Payments Program from $250,000 to $350,000 for 2023 program year.
Roy said the budget shows there remains work to be done to help Canada’s agriculture sector, but he said the government is listening. •
Acuity and Fast Genetics Join Forces to Create New Leader in Swine Genetics
Acuity and Fast Genetics, two swine genetics companies wholly owned by STgenetics, are excited to officially announce their joint brand, AcuFast.
Since the purchase of Acuity in February of 2022, the companies have worked diligently to fully understand how best to combine their teams, infrastructure, products, and resources. They have introduced a new structure that allows for a greater product offering, a superior technology platform, and a combined technical solutions team that will better enable AcuFast’s partners to succeed.
The name AcuFast represents what they will deliver to the industry; the name combines the words “accuracy” and “fast”, two key components of the genetic improvement equation. The name was also selected to encompass the legacy of both brands; “Acu” for Acuity, meaning sharpness of thought, and “Fast” to pay homage to the 41-year-old business founded by Dr. Harold Fast.
The successful combining of these companies would not have been possible without the leadership of Dr. Gregg BeVier, Fast Genetics’ previous CEO and current COO of STgenetics. AcuFast is now led by Francisco Bobadilla, Executive Vice President & Head of AcuFast and Genetic Visions. The senior leadership remains the same—Shannon Meyers, Vice President of Operations and Customer Success and Dr. Clint Schwab, Vice President of Technology and Customer Success.
AcuFast is structured to transform the pork industry and enable its partners to succeed. “Through empowering people and integrating proprietary technology, we deliver realized value to pork producers and contribute to a thriving and sustainable future,” Bobadilla said. “AcuFast continues to work closely with its parent company, STgenetics, combining its resources to offer an integrated and differentiated approach to customer success.“
STgenetics entered the swine genetics business with the purchase of Fast Genetics in 2015 from HyLife, a Canadian-based pork producer and processor. STgenetics recently expanded its swine enterprise by purchasing Acuity in 2022 from the Maschhoffs, a large family-owned pork producer based in the US. •
Planning for Emergencies Stressed
Animal Health Canada is using the fires devastating Alberta to remind all farmers that it’s important to have a plan to respond to emergencies. (Although more geared for Cattle and other livestock, important points for all ag sectors.)
It said “there are several proactive measures that can be completed in advance to prepare producers for a wildfire emergency including:
•Having contact information for prearranged off-farm evacuation sites (lairage points) handy
•Reviewing wildfire history in area
•Identifying and maintaining equipment that may help fight an approaching grassfire or wildfire (e.g., disk, harrow, tractor, water truck)
•Reducing vegetation and wood debris within 10 to 30 meters of farm structures by thinning and pruning
•Creating firebreaks by clearing vegetation and exposing bare soil to help curb the movement of wildfire
•Mapping the location of fire extinguishers, these should be in all barns, shops, and structures that have the potential to catch fire. Fire extinguishers should be easy to find within the structures, and all staff and family members should know where they are located and how to use them
•Predetermining the location evacuation sites and routes that may be used for animal movement and have a map of the identified areas readily available for all staff, family and first responders
•Storing hay, straw, beddings/shaving outside the barn in a dry, covered area, if possible
•Having water and feed readily available or at the pre-arranged lairage site(s) to ensure that all affected livestock have sufficient feed and water
•Creating a detailed inventory of livestock and developing list of emergency contacts prior to any wildfire event
•If in a wildfire susceptible area, procuring and installing some type of irrigation/ sprinkler system to help suppress fire
•Preparing an evacuation kit that includes but is not limited to:Supply of feed, supplements, and water for seven to 10 days; Blankets, halters, leads, water buckets, feed buckets; Copies of vaccination records, medical records, and proof of ownership; Tools and Cash and credit card
As you respond to the threat of wildfire consider the following:
•Evacuating employees/visitors to an agreed safe meeting place as required
•Notifying the fire authority immediately
•Assessing the fire and only attempting to contain or extinguish a small fire if it can be done safely
For floods, it said unconfined animals can usually take care of themselves during a flood
•The farmer’s goal should be keeping livestock high and dry
•Your local emergency coordinator can provide up-to-date flood information and forecasts.
•Identifying places to which livestock could be moved and having a plan for a livestock hauler, the routes that could be taken and arranging to have feed and water at the evacuation site.
•Identifying higher ground for equipment relocation (e.g., motors, tractors, tools, etc.), pesticides, fertilizer, or other chemicals
•Identifying electrical power switches/breaker to shut off power to areas where flooding is imminent.
•Checking that backup generators are in working order and extra fuel is available in the event of a power outage
•Test sump pumps regularly and install a back-up system (for example, battery back-up or generator).
During rapid rise of water, cattle often refuse to leave the barn and may drown inside if the water rises high enough. For this reason, begin evacuation measures before a state of emergency.
Block off narrow passageways where animals would be unable to turn around. A few heavy animals in a narrow dead end can be dangerous. •
— By Jim Romahn
Canada has Vigilance Against Diseases,
MPs told Federal officials assured members of the House of Commons Agriculture Committee that they are well prepared to deal with foreign animal disease outbreaks.
Dr. Mary Jane Ireland, executive director of the animal health directorate at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said the agency has plans to deal with outbreaks of every disease they are aware of.
She said hazard-specific plans are updated as diseases evolve around the world. An example was an outbreak of African Swine Fever in the Dominican Republic last year.
She said when an outbreak of highly-pathogenic avian influenza is suspected, samples are sent to the CFIA lab in Winnipeg for hasty analysis.
Philippe Morel said up to 10 per cent of CFIA’s staff were deployed last year to deal with outbreaks of avian flu.
Shawn Hoag, director general of the Canadian Border Services Agency, said importers must provide information prior to entry and border agents have the authority to inspect any shipment, to hold them and to destroy them if necessary.
He said the agency is considering adding x-ray equipment and detector dogs.
Tom Rosser, assistant deputy minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada said plans are in the works for a simulation of an outbreak of African Swine Fever to test the department’s preparedness to deal with an outbreak. •
— By Jim Romahn
Canadian Pork Producers Disappointed with UK’s Misleading Positioning on Trade Issues
The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) said the Government of Canada’s acceptance of UK restrictions on access to products in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreements is a further indication our negotiators tie one hand behind their backs as they pursue rules -based trade.
“Rules-based free trade requires both sides agree to follow the rules, and in this case, the United Kingdom is not, and has no intention of doing so,” said CPC chair Rene Roy. “We need to have a more realistic view of our trading partners and stop expecting other countries to have our best interests at heart.”
“The UK needed this deal more then we did, and yet we gave more then we needed to allow them access to a global market. We would be happy to work with the Government of Canada to help our negotiators get better at developing non-tariff trade barriers as we need to retaliate against unfair partners.”
Roy said, even worse, the UK has made deliberate misleading statements about Canadian Pork.
“We do not use added growth hormones in Canadian pork,” said Roy. “Our food inspection and safety system is second to non, and in fact, is superior to the United Kingdom’s. The Government of Canada must defend its system more aggressively to keep falsehoods from being repeated by our trading partners.”
“This trade agreement does not improve trade in the agriculture sector between our countries, and as such – it needs work before its ratified. But there’s still time – it has not passed Parliamentary approval, so we can figure this out before we’ve signed a bad deal.” •
Pork Council Irate About Ear Tag Proposals
Jeff Clark who handles regulatory issues for the Canadian Pork Council is urging producers to become informed about ear tag regulations proposed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
He expects farmers will have lots of objections to the proposals. They can air their views during a comment period that’s still open until June 16.
The National Pork Council in the United States is objecting because producers there don’t want the Canadian ear tags in weaner pigs they buy to raise in their barns.
Clark told the annual meeting of the Manitoba pork board that piglets and other border-crossing pigs are now commonly stamped with an identity tattoo.
“Ear tattoos are an amazing way to identify pigs going south,”he said.
Farmers and assembly yard operators are also being asked to pay attention to the regulations that could require all market hogs to be ear tagged.
“Their rationale for that is that it’s too hard for the inspectors to verify that they’re identified properly,” said Clark. “We will push back significantly on that. It’s a non-starter.”•
— By Jim Romahn
French Develop African Swine Fever Vaccine
A laboratory in France has developed a vaccine which is mostly, but not entirely, effective against African Swine Fever.
ANSES’s Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory said in a news release that its initial results have been promising.
While using heat to inactivate samples of the Georgia strain of ASF, it detected an attenuated strain which a strain which caused only a slight fever in infected animals, whereas infection with the Georgia strain normally kills all pigs.
Most pigs inoculated intramuscularly or oronasally with the attenuated virus showed only mild symptoms.
Although safety was not perfect, survival was much better than with the original viral strain. the lab said. •
— By Jim Romahn
FCC Offers a Life-line
Farm Credit Canada is offering farmers no-fees credit of up to $500,000 to help weather current economic conditions.
The offer comes with no security or fees required.
FCC said it’s making the offer to both new and existing customers who are “experiencing financial difficulties, including cash flow challenges, due to higher-than-average input costs and elevated interest rates.”
Cost pressures in the “current economic environment” are difficult to pass on, FCC said , and “so there are “tough financial circumstances for some operations.”
“While the current experiences of individual operations within the different agriculture and food sectors are varied, we hope those who identify with these challenges will use this credit line as an opportunity to work through their current position and build back stronger than before,” said Sophie Perreault, FCC’s chief operating officer. •
— By Jim Romahn
Researchers Studying Pig Aggression
When pigs that are strangers fight, it can have an impact on their attitude in subsequent encounters, according to new research at Scotland’s Rural College,
While aggressive pigs are less likely to learn from losing a fight, non-aggressive pigs are significantly more affected by winning or losing a social conflict, they said.
The study is related to animal welfare such as injuries, stress, poor growth and decline in immunity.
Scientists used body language such as ear posture, the direction of their eyes, grunts and squeals to assess their reactions to encounters with strange pigs.
Lead researcher Lucy Oldham said: “a key aim of this study was to find out what being an aggressive pig is like for the pig – which is really important when it comes to solving the problem of aggression on farms.
“Our results show that the welfare of both aggressive and non-aggressive pigs suffers.
“It is therefore advantageous for all animals if we can find ways to reduce their aggressiveness by providing social and physical environments that encourage their best natures.” •
Temporary Foreign Worker Policy Extended
The federal government has extended a three-year trial period another two years to May, 2025, providing some temporary foreign workers with a way to become permanent residents.
The program applies to temporary foreign workers employed at greenhouses, mushroom farms, livestock farms, meat-packing plants or retail butcher shops.
“We believe there’s value in delivering workers to businesses and (rural communities),” Fraser said during a news event, held at a meat-packing plant in L’Original, Ont.
“We know we’re not going to be able to meet the needs… with the domestic labour force.”
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced other changes, including expanding the open work permit to family members of all participants in the pilot program.
This will be an excellent “recruitment tool” for Canada the country’s agri-food sector, so newcomers can be re-united with their families, Fraser said.
The Canadian Meat Council and Mushrooms Canada support the extension and changes to the program.
“Currently, we have over 150 of our temporary foreign workers who have applied to the Agri-Food pilot, and we anticipate a lot more will now be eligible,” said Ryan Koeslag, executive director of Mushrooms Canada. •
— By Jim Romahn
Sow Gave Birth to Record 41 Piglets in Brazil
The sow gave birth in May to a record 41 piglets, located in Santa Catarina. With that large number of piglets and small size many may not survive. •
Maple Leaf Foods Recognizes a Biosecurity Digital Technology Partner
Farm Health Guardian has once again been recognized as a digital farm traceability and biosecurity technology partner with Maple Leaf Foods in their annual Sustainability Report. Working in collaboration with Maple Leaf Agri-Farms, Farm Health Guardian’s biosecurity management system has helped enhance the company’s Canadian pork production operations to reduce the risk of disease spread and improve animal care.
“Working together to raise the bar on biosecurity through innovative digital technology will benefit all of Canada’s hog industry,” says Rob Hannam, Farm Health Guardian CEO. “Thanks to the leadership of Maple Leaf Agri-Farms, over 70 per cent of the swine farms in Manitoba are now using the Farm Health Guardian system. We see that growth continuing which will lead to reduced disease risk, improved animal health and, in the end, a smaller carbon footprint for the animal protein being produced.”•
Manitoba Pork Proud
Manitoba Pork during their recent AGM soft launced its new Pork Proud Ambassador Program, an initiative that will help producers with consumers across Manitoba who are interested in learning more about where their food comes from, while at the same time strengthening pride in Manitoba’s hog sector. More details will be released in coming months, including how producers and others working in the sector can participate.
Some important stats from the Pork Proud video, which debuted at the AGM: For every 1kg of pork raised in Manitoba today; it requires about 40% less water, 33% less feed, 59% less land and produces 35% fewer green house gasses then over the last 50 years. Enabling consumers to eat more sustainably. •
