TOPIGS Hands out Top Awards
At a recent awards banquet in Winnipeg, TOPIGS presented awards in various categories. This year again, Topigs Norsvin customers achieved outstanding results. In 2017 there were 9 herds across Canada achieving over 30 pigs weaned / mated female / year.
In 2018 there were 20 herds over 30 PSY with an average of 31.03 PSY! This year, the SMS Benchmarking data include a record number of 86 farms with 81,853 sows from Canada and Montana with herd sizes averaging 952 sows per farm, including new start-up herds.
Herds <500 sows
Farrowing Rate West Winner – Keho Lake Colony (AB) 96.04% Runner-up – Albion Ridge Colony (AB) 94.63%
Pigs Born Alive/litter West Winner – Cool Spring Colony (MB) 14.45 Runner-up – Three Hills Colony (AB) 14.31
Pigs Weaned/Sow/Year West Winner – Cool Spring Colony (MB) 32.87 Runner-up – Keho Lake Colony (AB) 31.60
Herds of 501-1200 sows
Farrowing Rate West Winner – Evergreen Colony (MB) 93.8% – Fal-Ric Farms (MB) 93.8% Runner-up – Huron Colony (MB) 93.4%
Pigs Born Alive/litter West Winner – Evergreen Colony (MB) 15.29 Runner-up Blumengart Colony (MB) 14.77
Pigs Weaned/Sow/Year West Winner – Evergreen Colony (MB) 32.69 Runner-up – Blumengart Colony (MB) 32.21
Herds > 1200 sows
Farrowing Rate West Winner – Sunnybrook Swine Inc. Site 1 (MB) 93.5% Runner-up - Rhineland Pork (MB) 93.4%
Pigs Born Alive/litter West Winner – Morris Piglets South (MB) 14.46 Runner-up -Morris Piglets North (MB) 14.31
Pigs Weaned/Sow/Year West Winner -Rhineland Pork (MB) 30.50 Runner-up – Sunnybrook Swine Inc. Site 1 (MB) 30.34
Congratulations to all the winners. •
Banff A Beautiful Backdrop For Canadian Tradition
When people think of Banff Pork Seminar the first few things that come to mind is breakout sessions, networking
, research for some it might be St. James Pub.
However, for Roger Smith with Protekta who hailes from Ontario, had a different idea. Can’t get more Canadian then a afternoon game of Shinny. Not a large group, as there was a early session 
on ASF at the same time, those who participated had a great time At at one point some visitors from Australia stopped to join in. Roger hopes to host again next year. •
Saskatchewan Veterinarian Named to Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame
A Saskatchewan swine veterinarian is among six new members of the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame. Among this year’s inductees is Dr. Neil Shantz. Reed Andrew, the President of the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame, says Dr. Shantz has made substantial contributions during a distinguished career as a veterinarian. Shantz been in Saskatchewan all his life. He contributed largely in the swine and dairy as a veterinarian and as a consultant. Also in Prairie Diagnostic Services he’s been a leader in that area and in the biosecurity and welfare of animals. •
