From the publishers desk,

As I am typing this I am sitting the Las Vegas airport waiting to board a flight home after a fun filled few days. In honour of my in-laws 50th Anniversary they took us on a trip.
Thanksgiving is a short two weeks from when I am typing this, and I am once again reminded how much we have to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving! May you have a wonderful holiday with family and friends.
Not sure how many city slickers, as I like to call them, knew it was Farm and Food Awareness week in Canada September 21-26. I am made aware again and again that so many do not appreciate or realize where their food comes from.
Our industry continues to have highs and lows, struggles and positives. With the high US dollar as Steve Meyer predicts we should have extremely strong hog prices in 2016. For those of you attending the Saskatchewan Pork Symposium, be sure to catch Steve’s presentation. I have had the opportunity to listen to him in the past and always a great speaker.
One of the struggles is the recent reinstatement of CFIA rules of making sure transport trucks are washed and disinfected before heading north over the 49th. In theory it sounds like it should be a good thing, but… if they are using recycled water it is not helping, but hindering. And actually increasing the timeline and cost for the truckers if they have to rewash once home. To date the entire Western Canadian hog industry has stuck together to help fight to keep this disease at bay. According to the June hogs and pigs report hog numbers are trending higher than anticipated. Poorer crops in Alberta and Saskatchewan will equal higher feed prices. However, as Tyler Fulton from h@ms thinks too that next year will generally shape up to be a profitable year.
With an impending federal election, the Ag industry more specifically the pork sector wants to make sure to keep a few important points’ front and center. One of the most important issue is the focus on trade and to continue the fight on COOL. Although not quite resolved it most likely will be around after the October 19th election. Anytime there is a possible change of parties you don’t want to lose ground with current government. With the potential of three million in retaliatory tariffs we all hope that this be solved sooner rather than later.
Be sure to take in seminars and symposiums in your area. The agendas have been set for the Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop, and the Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium, with the Banff Pork Seminar and Manitoba Swine Seminar almost complete as well.
Thinking ahead to Banff Pork Seminar, registration is now open, be sure to book your rooms early so you can stay right on site where the action is at the Banff Springs Hotel. Check Pork Chops or online at prairiehogcountry.ca for details on all registrations.
I am thrilled to have 2016 just around the corner. It’s hard to believe that it was 19 years ago when Susan Blackman (former owner) approached me about starting this pig magazine. Some said we would only be around a few years as there was no room for a second hog magazine in Western Canada. Since its inception Prairie Hog Country has stuck with and remained with the original goal of keeping you the producer and the hog industry informed. So far it seems to be working.
The release dates have been set for next year (see page 45), once again bringing three of the six editions with me to trade shows. I look forward to continuing to keep you updated with all the latest hog news and information. If you have any questions about next year’s rates, dates or deadlines please do let me know.
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
Thanks as always for continued support, talk to you (plus see many of you in Brandon) in December.