Alberta Livestock Expo
The date the 2nd annual Alberta Livestock Expo will take place in Lethbridge at Exhibition Park October 10th & 11th.
This year the trade show has expanded to two days. In addition on Wednesday October 10th there will be a Beef Rib BBQ Competition. Then on Thursday October 11th a Hog Carcass Competition.
Booths are 90% sold out.
Full details are available on the website albertalivestockexpo.com or by contacting Lisa Doyle Exhibition Manager at 403.305.1563 or at lisa@vibrabteventmanagement.ca •
Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop
The annual Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop will be held in Red Deer Wednesday October 24th at a NEW location in the Parkland Pavillion at Westerner Park.
Plans are well underway for speakers and agenda. A few highlights include: Risk Management & Contract Forwarding, Loose Sow Housing – Pro’s & Cons, Farm Safety, Understanding Boars and Semen Quality, Farrowing Management, Water Line Cleaners and Audit Results just to name a few.
Registration is now open along with complete agenda details at: www.albertapork.com/red-deer-swine-technology-workshop/
Prices remain $90/ person or $400 for 5 people. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact Sara Parton at 780.491.3525 or sara.parton@albertapork.com . •
Alberta Pork Congress AGM
The Alberta Pork Congress Annual General Meeting will be held in conjunction with Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop, as a meeting prior to start of Swine Tech.
As of press time final details are yet to be confirmed. However we know will be Wednesday October 24th at Western Park in the Parkland Pavillion.
This will be the first opportunity to book your booth for the 2019 Alberta Pork Congress. Watch your inbox and the October issue for more information. •
Aherne Awards
Do you know of an innovator who should be recognized? Someone who has developed an original solution to answer a pork production challenge? Or found a creative use of a known technology?
The Banff Pork Seminar is proud to offer a chance for you to “strut your stuff” as a technology innovator and show the rest of us how to put it into practice!
The Dr. FX Aherne Prize for Innovative Pork Production recognizes innovators involved in the pork industry who are making a difference by applying new technologies or management techniques.
Innovators can win valuable prizes and free registration to the 2019 Banff Pork Seminar, January 8-10; you’ll be recognized by your peers and the pork industry and have a chance to present your solution at the 2018 Banff Pork Seminar.
Please nominate yourself, or apply on behalf of an innovator that deserves to be recognized. Help us to find these innovators and encourage them to apply for the Dr. FX Aherne Prize for Innovative Pork Production.
Specifically, we are looking for innovators who are capable of taking a new research concept, a technology, or even a management concept and apply it successfully in the production of pork. Innovations may be related to, but are not limited to, one of the following areas: Productivity, Profitability, Working Conditions, Animal Well Being, Reduced Environmental Impact, Pork Quality and Safety.
Anyone who has developed a solution to a pork production challenge may enter. Innovations must be relevant to North American pork production but do not necessarily have to be currently in use in Canada at the time of application.
Application and more information will be available online at www.banffpork.ca. Applications must be received by October 31, 2018. Apply today! Please contact Conference Coordinator Ashely Steele at pork@ualberta.ca with questions. •
Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium
The annual Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium will take place November 14 & 15 at the Saskatoon Inn.
Complete list of speakers and agenda can be found on page 33.
The Saskatoon Inn & Conference Centre, is offering a reduced conference rate. The room block is now if effect when reserving mention the Symposium to receive the reduced rate 306.242.1440.
For additional information on Symposium contact the Symposium Co ordinator at 306.343.3506 or email info@saskpork.com. Full program registration ad sponsorship will be available on line soon in August at www.saskpork.com•
Prairie Livestock Expo
Mark your calendars for Prairie Livestock Expo, which will be held at the Victoria Inn and Conference Centre Wednesday December 12th in Winnipeg 9am – 6pm. The one day show features the largest pork quality competition along with New & Evolving Technologies presentations. Free admission, free parking. Online registration is now open at prairielivestockexpo.ca.
A block of rooms are available onsite at the Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre located adjacent to the James Armstrong Richardson Airport in Winnipeg. For reservations call 204.786.4801 mention group # 823267 for special rate.
For information on and about the show contact Dallas Balance from GoodwinBallance Communications at 204.475.8585 or email info@prairielivestockexpo.ca •
Banff Pork Seminar
Banff Pork Seminar will take place at the Banff Springs Hotel January 8 – 10th , 2019.
The committee is already working hard on finalizing the speakers for the next installment at the Castle in the Rockies. Some of the featured breakout sessions will be: Meat Quality, Animal Welfare & Transport, Feed Efficiency, Human Resources, Sow Longevity and Innovators just to name some of them. There will be two key note speakers each morning covering current important topics.
Watch for future issues for further information. Online registration will start in September. If planning to attend the 2019 BPS a limited number of rooms are available at a drastically reduced rate on site at Banff Springs Hotel. Check out the website banffpork.ca or call direct reservation line 403.762.6866 mention the Banff Pork Seminar to get the rate.
For more information contact Ashley Steeple, Conference Coordinator, PH: 780.492.3651 or Email: pork@ualberta.ca •
Cramer Ag Expo
Thursday February 21st with be the 9th annual Cramer Expo in Swift Current, SK.
The largest mulitspecies show in Southern Saskatchewan always attracts a full house.
A huge draw is the Cramer Cup series including awards for feed grain, eggs, a baking competition and the coveted Cramer Cup Hog Carcass competition. With a silent and live auction as well copious amounts of meat and monies are donated to local charities.
Exhibitor packages will be available soon. In the mean time any questions please contact Kelly Turcotte trade show co ordinator at 306. 737.6262 or email kelly_turcotte@hotmail.com. For questions about Cramer Cup Series contact Doug Cramer at 306.520.3553 or email cramerexpomgmt@gmail.com •
Hendrix Genetics Joins Alliance to End Surgical Castrations of Swine
Hendrix Genetics has joined a research alliance to develop pioneering genetic technology. Through the use of precision breeding, this group hopes to end the surgical castrations of male piglets.
The alliance aims to develop precision breeding technology that results in male piglets born naturally castrated. When successful, it will have a major impact on swine health and well-being. This project is also backed by a grant from The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and The Open Philanthropy Project.
Today, male piglets are routinely castrated to improve the quality of meat for consumers. Castration not only avoids “boar taint”, an unpleasant odor and an unsavory taste, but also impacts the animal’s well-being. Precision breeding technology aims to provide real solution for pork producers
To eliminate the need for castrations, Recombinetics, a pioneer in genetic solutions for animal agriculture and human health, developed a precision breeding method resulting in male piglets that remain in a pre-pubertal state. To determine the commercial viability of castration-free pigs, the alliance will investigate best practices for recovery of puberty and fertility, without compromising traits such as feed efficiency and meat quality.
Precision breeding is offering real solutions and creating enormous value for the agriculture industry. Aside from this application in swine it has also been used with other animals, for example in cattle it has been successful in not just promoting cattle to be naturally born hornless, but heat resistant as well.
Eliminating the need for producers to de-horn cattle or castrate swine both creates value and improves productivity, but also has a large impact on the welfare and well-being of livestock. This initiative is important for Hendrix Genetics, as we are at the beginning of the protein value chain and these kinds of projects allow us to add value that ripple far down the line. •
FCC Announces Partnership to Promote Mental Health Support Network
Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has entered into a partnership with the Do More Agriculture (DMA) Foundation to create a network of mental health first aiders who can identify and support producers coping with difficult or unfortunate circumstances.
Under the one-year pilot project, FCC is contributing $50,000 to the not-for-profit foundation, focused on promoting mental health awareness and well-being in Canadian agriculture.
The funding will be used to facilitate mental health first aid training for producers and agriculture industry professionals in select communities across Canada.
The training is aimed at raising mental health awareness and equipping participants with basic skills to provide assistance when help is not immediately available. The training sessions will be delivered by accredited organizations and experts and offered at no cost.
“We are seeing the need for increased mental health support in agriculture and rural Canada, where people sometimes feel isolated and don’t always know who or where to turn to for help,” said Michael Hoffort, FCC president and CEO.
“That’s why it’s important that we begin developing a network of people in rural Canada who have received training in identifying and supporting people suffering from a variety of mental illnesses and are able to connect them with mental health professionals.”
DMA was established in January 2018 to promote mental health awareness, well-being, and research, as well as to empower Canadian producers to take care of their mental well-being through education, training and public awareness.
The foundation is also dedicated to creating a community of belonging, support and resources on mental health issues.
“Producers are among the most vulnerable when it comes to mental health issues,” said Kim Keller, executive director for DMA. “By collaborating with FCC and other industry partners, we are raising awareness of mental health and increasing the number of people certified to provide support in rural communities across Canada.” •
Osborne Announces Certification To ISO 9001:2015
Recently Osborne Industries, Inc., a leading manufacturer of livestock management equipment like Stanfield piglet heat mats and FIRE pig performance testing feeders, is pleased to announce their April 16, 2018, certification under ISO 9001:2015.
The company has maintained certification under ISO standards since October 2000. The company-developed and maintained internal Quality Management System (QMS) has conformed to the requirements of the ISO 9001 international standard for nearly 20 years. Recently, during an annual audit by SAI Global Certification Services, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, auditors recommended Osborne be approved for the advancement from the 2008 to the 2015 standard.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 is currently the most up-to-date standard of its kind, focusing on the performance of a manufacturer’s QMS. The certification includes an emphasis on risk-based thinking, increased customer focus and leadership requirements, and continual improvement of a company’s QMS. •
Unprecedented Uncertainty Makes Trade Issues Top Priority, say Farmers, Ranchers and Food Exporters
Finding a way forward on NAFTA and intensifying diversification efforts now more important than ever. The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) recently called on all Parliamentarians to support better access to world markets as continued trade uncertainty threatens Canadian jobs and long-term prosperity. CAFTA President Brian Innes along with farmers and agri-food exporters from across Canada made the remarks at an end-of-session press conference held on Parliament Hill.
“With unprecedented uncertainty around NAFTA, there’s never been a better time to break down trade barriers so we can diversify and grow our agri-food exports,” said CAFTA President Brian Innes.
While this legislative session saw progress with the implementation of the Canada-Europe Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), CAFTA is calling on the federal government to stay focused on advancing the following outstanding trade priorities in the coming weeks and months:
– Work swiftly to ratify and ensure Canada is in the first tranche of countries bringing into force the Comprehensive Progressive agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP);
– Continue to constructively engage at the NAFTA negotiating table to ensure Canadian agri-food exports maintain existing access to the U.S. market and to modernize the deal where possible;
– Launch trade talks with China and deepen the Canada-China trade relationship; and
– Remove remaining non-tariff barriers to allow real, commercially viable access to the EU for Canadian agri-food products.
“Our ability to access global markets is more important than ever and should be job number-one for the federal government,” concluded Innes. “We are calling on the Canadian government and all Parliamentarians to stand up for Canadians who are growing the economy through trade.”
CAFTA members – including farmers, ranchers and food manufacturers – contribute $96 billion to Canada’s economy annually and support one million jobs in urban and rural areas across the country.
“Competitive access to international markets is the cornerstone of Canada’s pork industry. Japan is one of our key markets with sales of over one billion dollars each year. We strongly urge all MPs to move forward with the ratification of the CPTPP as soon as the House of Commons returns in the fall. Delays in ratifying the CPTPP will prevent us from capturing market shares and maintaining our competitive edge in Asia.”
René Roy, pork producer in Quebec, member of the Canadian Pork Council •
Hog Industry Applauds New Investment in Research
Announced recently over the next 5 years, up to $18.5 million dollars will be invested by the federal government and industry partners in research to further the development of the Canadian pork industry. Swine Innovation Porc and the Canadian Pork Council (CPC) welcomed Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food (AAFC), Lawrence MacAulay’s announcement recently, highlighting that up to $12.7 million will be invested by the federal government. Swine Innovation Porc and its partners will also contribute $5.8 million, making a total investment of up to $18.5 million in research over a five-year period.
“The Canadian swine sector will benefit enormously from this investment,” stated Stewart Cressman, Chair of Swine Innovation Porc, who was on hand for the announcement in Sherbrooke, Québec this morning. “We want to thank Minister MacAulay for this significant investment, which shows AAFC’s commitment to support industry-led research. We are confident that the outcomes from program’s research projects will help increase the competitiveness of the Canadian pork industry in terms of animal welfare, the environment, as well as animal health and nutrition.”
CPC 2nd Vice-Chair René Roy was also present for the announcement. Mr. Roy highlights the need for ongoing research in the swine industry so that producers can continue to innovate and produce high quality pork for domestic and international markets: “Producers rely on science-based research to guide the innovations that help the industry grow. This funding is essential so that the Canadian pork industry can continue to compete with other important producers in the world, such as the United States and the European Union, and set the standard for wholesome pork.”
This funding contribution is part of the AAFC’s Canadian Agricultural Partnership, AgriScience Program Clusters. It encourages research and innovation to take place to enhance the profitability and sustainability of the agricultural sector. Swine Innovation Porc will use this investment to implement its national knowledge transfer and research and development strategies under the program title of “Swine Cluster 3–Innovating for a Stronger Pork Sector.” The goal of this program is to accelerate the pace of innovation, drive sustainable growth, strengthen competitiveness, and maximize the resilience of the sector.
The up to $18.5 million Swine Cluster 3 program will be the third such program led by Swine Innovation Porc. “Swine Innovation Porc has proven its ability to drive national research programs,” notes Stewart Cressman. “We are ready to officially launch this new program so researchers can begin working on ways to help the industry be even stronger.”
Since 2010, the objectives of research funded through the Swine Cluster program have focussed on reducing the cost of production, increasing product differentiation and enhancing knowledge transfer. The total investment over 8 years amounts to $31.7 million and has resulted in the completion of 35 different projects and over 1000 communication activities. •
Genesus Producers Achieve Top Numbers
The following is a list of the Genesus customers that have exceeded 25 pigs per mated female in the 2017 calendar year.
Camrose MT 31.66; Midway MT 31.6; Rosedale AB 30.72; Big Bed AB 30.58; Hartland MT 30.54; Woodland MB 30.52; Riverview MT 30.04; Fairlane Ab 29.71; Miami MB 29.7; Newport South SD 29.61; Hutterville AB 29.51; Clearfield SD 29.44; Sundale SD 29.38; Blue Grass AB 29.22; Norquay MB 29.19; Suncrest MB 29.03; Rom-Ark Farms ON 29; Miltown MB 28.86; Rockport MT 28.80; Maxwell SD 28.73; Baker AB 28.67; Fairholme MB 28.5; Valley View AB 28.48; Neudorf AB 28.38; Brant AB 28.25; Camrose AB 28.25; Gadsby South AB 28.11; Son D Farms MN 28; Little Bow AB 27.8; Hartman IL 27.79; Green Acres AB 27.78; Prairie Home AB 27.75; Skylight AB 27.74; Hancock Pro Pork MN 27.7; Elm Spring Farming Co AB 27.51; Newell AB 27.47; Starbrite AB 27.45; Clearview AB 27.43; Cool Spring MT 27.42; JWV IA 27.4; Gadsby North AB 27.36; Frank Family Farms MN 27.3; Cascade MT 27.22; Lakeview SD 27.18; Hooter Lane IA 27.1; Lacombe Research Station AB 27.04; Guy Jeremiason MN 27; Hidden Lake MT 26.95; Sunset SD 26.92; Spring Point AB 26.6; Kingsland AB 26.29; Martin Farms MB 26.27; Crystal Spring AB 26.2; Freitag IA 26.16; Springwater MT 26.09; Shadylane MB 26; Stanley Pork MB 25.99; Poplar Point MB 25.96; Brantwood MB 25.91; Sunny Site AB 25.86; Big Stone MT 25.85; Pine Grove MN 25.79; Hamland IL 25.7; Widmer MN 25.6; Mountain View AB 25.59; Neumuehl AB 25.5; Brenelem Farms ON 25.39; New Rockport MT 25.37; Oaklane AB 25.1 and Rimrock MT 25.07.
Congratulations to all these Genesus Genetics customers. Of the 70 farms listed half, 35 of them are based in Western Canada. •
CCSI AGM
The Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement (CCSI) held their annual general meeting in Ottawa, Ontario on July 5, 2018. A new Executive Committee was elected, with Brent Robinson appointed to a second term as Chair of CCSI.
Joining Mr. Robinson on this year’s Board of Directors are Rod de Wolde (Ontario Swine Improvement), Jacques Faucher (Centre de développement du porc du Québec), Wim Van Berkel (Western Swine Testing Association), John Ross (Canadian Pork Council), Colleen Roehrig (Canadian Meat Council), Line Théroux (Canadian Swine Breeders Association), Dave Vandenbroek (Alliance Genetics Canada), Marquis Roy (Alphagene), Ken Hamoen (Sand Ridge Farm), Murray Duggan (Fast Genetics) and Lee Whittington (Prairie Swine Centre). CCSI would like to thank Bill Wymenga and Normand Martineau for their years of dedication and service to CCSI on the Board of Directors. •
Chinese Develop Enhanced Enviropig
Building on research pioneered at the University of Guelph, Chinese researchers have developed pigs with added genes to produce enzymes that make more efficient use of phosphorous and nitrogen in their diets.
Mingzhe Fan was a Guelph university scientist who worked on the original project with Dr. Cecil Forsberg. Fan is now collaborating with Chinese researchers on the new transgenic pig.
As with Guelph’s Enviro-pig, the Chinese team altered the salivary glands to produce more phytase, so the animals can extract more phosphorous from feed, reducing both costs and water pollution because the manure contains less phosphorous.
The strategy for reducing algae blooms in the Great Lakes relies heavily on reducing phosphorous. In a research paper, the Chinese team says “we established stable transgenic pig lines that co-expressed NSP (non-starch polysaccharides) degrading enzymes and phytase in saliva.”
Feeding trials indicate that phorphorous in the manure was reduced by 23 % and nitrogen by 45 per cent and that the growth rate of the transgenic pigs was 23 to 24 % better.
This genetic strategy offers a very valuable biological solution for inefficient feed digestion and environmental emissions due to the global expansion of the livestock industry,” the scientists wrote. The Chinese authorities have yet to decide whether they will allow the technology to be used by farmers. The Enviro-Pig faced so many government demands that the university and the Ontario Pork marketing board gave up. •
—By Jim Romahn
Canada Should Prepare for Countervailing Duties
Canadian farmers are being side-swiped by the tariff wars triggered by United States President Donald Trump.
Pork producers in particular are hurt by the retaliatory tariffs imposed or coming from Mexico and China.
Those are the two largest U.S. pork export markets, and any dip in those exports will back up pork in the U.S. and lower prices. That, in turn, will ripple right across the border to depress Canadian hog prices.
Trump and his Agriculture Secretary Sonny Purdue have promised compensation for U.S. farmers hurt by the tariffs.
Canada ought to prepare to immediately apply countervailing duties on U.S. pork equal to the subsidies. Nobody wins in this foolish tariff war, but Trump seems to believe it makes him popular.
He’s crazy, but he appointed his doctor to head the Department of Veterans Affairs, one of the largest departments in the U.S. I guess he won’t be telling Trump any time soon how crazy he is. •
—By Jim Romahn
Tariffs Hit Pork Market Hard
Tariffs are hitting the United States hog industry hard, prompting Purdue University economist Chris Hurt to predict hog-farming losses of up to $10 a head before the end of the year.
He said exports of offals have been particularly hard hit by tariffs imposed in retaliation for U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum. China has implemented tariffs as high as 50 percent on imports of U.S. pork products.
China has been helping bolster U.S. hog prices because it bought items such as pigs’ feet that were going to rendering into feed. Mexico has also imposed tariffs on U.S. pork. •
—By Jim Romahn
