Here we are at the end of another year, wow this one went fast! 2014 was an interesting year for producers, most have received the highest prices in history, some on the other hand faced terrible losses being hit with PED. Western Canada as a whole is faring much better then Ontario and our neighbours to the south. With the return of cold weather it can all change in a heartbeat.
A heartbeat is pretty fast, well I got a call from Harry this morning, while I am typing this, his good friend John Carr who was at a hotel near London Heathrow airport, shared some devastating news. PED has now broke in the Ukraine, John suspects they will be upwards of 35 million baby pigs die before its runs its course. In a very emotional interview with Harry he said “remind the producers to maybe clean the truck a little more.” See story on page 24.
In the recent sessions, meetings, seminars and symposiums the point is being consistently drove home. Both the Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop and Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium had solid turnouts. Interesting speakers shared lots of information on the current hot topics. Check out the coverage within this edition of Prairie Hog Country.
Also held recently was the first ever Labour Summit. Many industries like ours are facing a huge problem with staffing. Experts helped those in attendance see that it is not only the job but we have to make sure they have a life too.
Looking ahead to January will be the 42nd annual Banff Pork Seminar. I for one am quite excited the BPS committee has put together a great line of speakers from across Canada and the US. And as I have discovered in the last two years I have attended there are a lot of important conversations that happen in the hallways and of course St James Pub too. Brenda will be there to provide full coverage for the February edition of Prairie Hog Country and I too will be in on hand soaking up all the information.
Included within the centre of this issue is the 2015 Prairie Hog Country Calendar, be sure to pull out. Thanks to all the producers who submitted photos for consideration, sorry we could not include all of them. For those who didn’t submit any there is always next year. Stay tuned for details in the June issue.
I am very excited that 2015 will mark 19 years since the inception of Prairie Hog Country, although some things and people have changed in that 19 years one thing has remained the same. Our goal is to keep you the producer informed.
On behalf of myself, my copy editor, web master and all the writers of PHC, I want to wish you and your families all the very best this holiday season. May you all have a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year. Here’s hoping you will be able to spend some time with those who mean the most over the holidays. Thanks to all of you for your kind words and messages over this past year.
As always I am only a phone call or email away. Prairie Hog Country, Box 5536, Leduc, Alberta T9E 2A1, 780.986.0962, fax 780.980.9640 or email:
hogcountry@shaw.ca
Talk to you in next year.