• Judy Harry - 2 Montruex
5 10, 2017

Getting to Know the Prairie Hog Country Contributors

I grew up on a farm five miles northeast of a little village, Plum Coulee, MB where I watched my father, several hired hands, and my brother farm. Dad went by the Henry or [H. C.] Siemens planted at least a thousand acres back in 1960 growing wheat, oats, barley, flax, field peas, sunflowers,

5 10, 2017

Kudos

New Chair For CCSI

The Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement (CCSI) recently held their 2017 annual general meeting in Ottawa, Ontario. A new Executive Committee was elected, with Brent Robinson appointed as the new Chair of CCSI. He replaces Rod de Wolde, who has served as the chair since 2013. CCSI would like to thank

5 10, 2017

Pork Chops

Alberta Livestock Expo

A new trade show will take place in Lethbridge AB at Exhibition Park on Thursday October 12th from 9 am – 5:30 pm. This new trade show will be a multispecies event, welcoming all aspects of the agriculture industry for the one day show.

Details are available at albertalivestockexpo.com or by contacting Lisa

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5 10, 2017

SPACE 2017 – The French Industry Shows Off Again

The major French livestock industry’s event took place as usual in mid-September, in Rennes. The author travels by train (TGV) from Paris airport. It’s a three hour journey and he was looking forward to enjoying a large glass of red wine, to while away the journey, but was most upset when he was told

5 10, 2017

NAFTA

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is once again the most contentious issue in terms of Canadian trade and that certainly includes the full range of agricultural commodities.

The long-standing trade deal is back at the negotiators’ table thanks to the protectionist American president Donald Trump. Trump clearly has it in his mind that

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5 10, 2017

Banff Pork Seminar Extends Contract

Delegates to the annual Banff Pork Seminar are assured that it will stay with the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel at least until 2021.

Seminar co-ordinator Ashley Steeple, based at the University of Alberta, confirmed late in September that the contract has been extended for three more years, including the same deal offering delegates an extended

5 10, 2017

On The Edge With Siemens Says

Thanks to retiring Gerry Ritz Former Canadian Ag minister Gerry Ritz noted for his courageous work in giving farmers in Western Canada marketing freedom retired as a Member of the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa.

In my last official interview with my friend as an MP, “Gerry, I just thoroughly congratulate you on the work you’ve

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5 10, 2017

The New and the Old in Raising Hogs in Manitoba

The first new hog barn in the last seven years held an Open House on March 4, 2016, at the Suncrest Colony just off the intersection of highways 59 and 52 near Steinbach, MB.

Colony Hog Boss Bob Kleinsasser described it as an 800 sow farrow to 80 pounds using open group housing with 125

5 10, 2017

Emergency Trailer Delivers the Goods

Alberta’s livestock emergency response system proved its worth during response to a cattle trailer rollover in September, just months after hundreds of pigs died because of a breakdown in the same system.

Late in the morning on Sept. 13, a trailer hauling cattle rolled near Kitscoty, roughly 25 minutes west of Lloydminster.

Emergency crews seeking help

  • SB - Jen Brown
5 10, 2017

Effective Strategies for Reducing Aggression Among Group Housed Sows

Dr. Jennifer Brown, a Research Scientist Ethology with the Prairie Swine Centre said research shows that a range of strategies is useful for reducing aggression among group-housed sows.

In response to Canadian Pig Code of Practice changes which require gestating sows in group housing, researchers working on behalf of Swine Innovation Porc are exploring the