Banff Pork Seminar
appoints new Coordinator

The Banff Pork Seminar has a fresh face coordinating the 2016 event. Ashley Steeple has been appointed to the position of Coordinator.
A leading seminar of its kind in the world, the Banff Pork Seminar is one of the longest running events supporting knowledge and progress for the pork industry. The 2016 Seminar, January 12 to 14, in Banff, Alta. will be the 45th consecutive.
Steeple is a Thompson Rivers University graduate with a degree in Animal Biology. She has worked for several years in various positions in that contained a role as conference coordinator. She has a strong interest in agriculture.
“The Banff Pork Seminar has a reputation of bringing together the very best speakers on the most important issues of the day,” says Steeple. “I appreciate the effort that has gone into building this reputation and look forward to helping continue the tradition in 2016 and beyond.”
More information on the 2016 Banff Pork Seminar including program and registration details is available at the Seminar website, www.banffpork.ca.  •

Blackwell, McDougald
Win Veterinary Awards
Doctor Doug McDougald of South West Ontario Veterinary Services has been honoured with this year’s Merck Veterinary Award from the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
He was recognized for his leadership in relation to the outbreak of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus in the Ontario hog industry.
He has also contributed to leadership of the Ontario Swine Health Advisory Board and the Ontario Pork Industry Council.
Dr. Timothy Blackwell, disease-prevention swine specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, was presented with the Humane Award during the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association convention in Calgary.  •

Thousands Heat Up and
Meat Up at Porkapalooza
Question: When you attract 25,000 people over two days in your first year as an Edmonton festival, how do you top that the next time around?
Answer: Draw the same number…just on day one!
That’s what happened at the second annual Porkapalooza BBQ Festival, an event conceived and executed by Alberta Pork to promote the wonders of Alberta-grown pork to thousands of hungry consumers.
From June 19-21, talented BBQ teams from four provinces cooked and smoked their hearts out for over $16,000 in cash and prizes – one of the biggest purses in the country.
Billed as “A Big Meat Up”, the festival moved from Hawrelak Park to the newly renovated Borden Park, starting with a Bare Bones Ribfest on Friday night.
The festival itself kicked off on Saturday and posted some impressive numbers:

• 40,000 attendees.
• 28 food vendors; 35 marketplace vendors.
And the most important number: Up to 71 charities that will benefit from the event.
By any measure, it was a sizzling success and a great way to showcase Alberta pork producers and their product. The way to top it next year will be to have more pork producers join us to speak with the public.
It’s a lot of fun and a great way to spread the word about the best pork in the world!  •

Serving up Alberta Pork
While visiting a Taste of Edmonton recently I discoverered a great dish, pork of course. Even better Alberta Pork. Representatives from Freson Bros Market had a booth set up serving rotisserie roasted pig. •