Greetings on a warm sunny day, going up to +28 today and +30 tomorrow. For some the heat is good timing helping the crops along for others that are in desperate need of rain not so much.

Here we are at the fourth of six issues in 2018 already, and before we know it the kids will be going back to school and the combines will be making miles in the fields. Time really does go by to fast. I am reminded again with the amount of people I know going through tough times with their loved one struggling with health issues, to live every day to the fullest as you don’t know what tomorrow brings. Be thankful for those we have in our lives.

With fall approaching that means it brings many opportunities for gaining knowledge. Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop will be at a new location this year, Westerner Park on Wednesday, October 24th. The agenda is up on their website and it looks like a solid day of speakers and topics. Online registration is now open, see Pork Chops for details. Followed by the Saskatchewan Pork Symposium, November 14 & 15, which always has a great line up as well. Check out page 33 for all the details.

The second annual Alberta Livestock Expo will be in Lethbridge at Exhibition Park October 10 & 11. The expanded two day show now will host a Carcass and a BBQ Competition, see ad on page 4 for all the details.

Congratulations to all the winners at the recent Alberta Pork Congress and a huge thanks to the sponsors for without them the awards would not happen. Ben Woolley received Industry Ambassador, sponsored by Real Solutions Plus, while Verdant Valley took home Farm Team, sponsored by MNP and a well-deserved Dr. Frank Marshall for Lifetime Achievement sponsored by Nutrition Partners. I had the privilege of sitting with him and his wife Wendy for supper. New this year was the Rising Star award, given to Dr. Jessica Law sponsored by Fortified Nutrition. The Olymel Reach For The Top Awards were presented to: High Health to Twilight Colony, Food Safety to Britestone Colony, Core Lean Alix Farming Company, Core Weight to Fairville Colony and Wheatland Colony was selected Grand Champion.

As I heard recently on the radio while driving Federal Ag Minister Lawrence MacAulay stated that “Canada’s agriculture and agri-food system contributes $110 billion to Canada’s economy, and last year our agriculture, food and seafood exports hit an all-time record of $64.6 billion.” We in the hog industry are a strong part of those staggering numbers.

Included with in this issue are the full results from the annual readership survey. I am pleased to share that we are the producer’s top choice for hog news and information. And they still prefer the Western Canadian focus, as one producer stated more local. Ninety two per cent of producers also stated that advertisements to influence their purchasing decisions. Thanks so much for your continued loyal support.

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 October. •