Thursday February 21st with be the 9th  annual Cramer Expo in Swift Current, SK. Hours are 8:30 – 5:30 at the Kinetic Exhibition Park in Swift Current, SK.

The largest multispecies 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.

Stop in and see the sold out trade show.

For questions about Cramer Cup Series contact Doug Cramer at 306.520.3553  or email  cramerexpomgmt@gmail.com •

Now is the time to send in your nominations for the Alberta Pork Congress Industry Awards.

Lifetime Achievement Award (Honours individuals who have played an integral role in advancing the pork industry in Alberta and celebrates their long-term commitment and unwavering dedication to the industry).

Farm Team Award (Recognizes the farm unit which operates in an exemplary manner through commitment and longevity of the staff with virtues of hard work and cooperation, celebrating dedication of the team toward working together for the success of the farm).

Pork Industry Ambassador Award (Honours individuals or companies whose efforts reflect a commitment above and beyond the accepted expectation of the pork industry in Alberta. It recognizes individuals or companies whose actions have become a valuable asset to the pork industry and acknowledges those whose actions have become models for peer recognition).

For more information or to nominate either a individual – team, please contact the Alberta Pork Congress office at 403.244.7821 or Toll  Free 1.800.267.9180 or email info@albertaporkcongress.com.  Deadline for nominations is February 28th.  •

A new show is taking place in Great Falls, MT Friday April 5th at Montana Expo Park.

Presenting Sponsor Friesen Nutrition is proud to be involved in bringing Montana Producers a show of their own, The Montana Livestock and Crop Production Expo.

This show will be an “ All Business “ Ag Trade Show showcasing New and Existing Technology in animal nutrition , livestock equipment, cropping advances, agronomy, and genetic companies.

The show will give producers and suppliers the opportunity to meet many new contacts and forage new business relationships.

This event will be managed by Cramer Expo and Event Management Company.

 Contact Doug or Kelly today for more information at Doug Cramer: (306) 520-3553 or

cramerexpomgmt@gmail.com

Kelly Turcotte: (306) 737-6262 or kelly_turcotte@hotmail.com

details also  on line at

www.cramereventmanagement.com  •

The Livestock Care Conference is an annual event that brings together industry experts, stakeholders and producers to discuss the latest trends and issues in the livestock industry in Alberta.

This years conference will be held in Olds AB on March 20 & 21, 2019.

More details will be available in the next issue.

Check the website for updates www.afac.ab.ca  •

Tha annual London Swine Conference will be held March 26th & 27th in London ON at the Double Tree Hilton in London ON. For details and registration check out

londonswineconference.ca  •

Save the date! Manitoba Pork’s will hold their 2019 Annual General Meeting at The Fairmont Winnipeg on Thursday, April 11, 2019.

For details and to register contact the Manitoba Pork office at 204.237.7447  •

The annual trade show will be held in Des Moines IA June 5th -7th.

Check on line at worldporkexpo.org for details and information.   •

The 45th annual Alberta Pork Congress will be held in Westerner Park in Red Deer June 12th & 13th.

As of press time the trade show booth space is 85% sold, so do not delay book your space today. Online registration is open at albertaporkcongress.com. Should you have any questions or to order your BBQ, lunch and banquet tickets please contact the Kate or Kyla in the office at 403.244.7821 or email

kate@albertaporkcongress.com or  kyla@albertaporkcongress.com  •

The 6th annual Porkapalooza BBQ Festival will once again be hosted and organized by Alberta Pork. Located at Northlands Park in Edmonton June 15th & 16th.

The Porkapalooza BBQ Festival is a community event showcasing the art and culture of BBQ. It is organized by the Porkapalooza BBQ Festival Society with generous financial support from Alberta Pork and other sponsors. At its heart, it is a BBQ competition, but it encompasses all the components of a festival: local food trucks, beer gardens, food demonstration stage, a Kids Zone playground and plenty of entertainment.

Organizers are hoping to reach 75 teams this year to achieve the biggest BBQ festival outside the US.

The BBQ festival charity society in the past has supported local charites Ronald Mcdonald’s House, Youth Empowerment & Support Services and AdaptAbilities.

Check out their website for more details

porkapalooza.ca for more details.  •

The annual Ontario Pork Congress will be held in Stratford June 19th & 20th

Details available on their website at porkcongress.on.ca  •

African Swine Fever has claimed a second large-scale hog farm in China, this time a herd of 73,000 in Suihua city in northeastern Heilongjiang province.

The second-largest herd wiped out by the disease had 69,000 hogs in Siyang County.

The latest outbreak is a farm which has investment from a company based in Denmark.

Heilongjiang Asia-Europe Animal Husbandry was formed in 2016.

The farm’s herd included 15,000 breeding pigs, according to its website, and it was aiming to produce 385,000 pigs for slaughter a year

Officials with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said 4,686 pigs had been infected and 3,766 animals died.

All animals on infected farms are culled.

African Swine Fever is posing a threat in more countries as China is failing in its bid to wipe it out.

China has now culled 916,000 pigs  after 100 outbreaks (as of January 16th), the government reports.

Belgium and France are trying to wipe out wild boar herds because the disease has been detected in some of them. France is trying to guard its border with Belgium, including proposals to build fences.

 Mongolia reported it is trying to deal with outbreaks in four provinces – Bulgan and Orkhon in the north, Tuv in the central region and Dundgovi in the south, all discovered on a back yard farms.

Thousands of pigs have died from the lethal disease, a Mongolian government laboratory reported, adding that around 250 pigs have been confirmed dead in Orkhon province.

North America is on high alert, including a watch on imports of feed ingredients since they have been found capable of spreading the virus.

** The numbers and locations are as of press time.   •

— By Jim Romahn

Pork producers were on hand in mid December to welcome the announcement by the Government of Canada of a $1.6-million-dollar investment in the Canadian pork industry. These projects will improve disease surveillance in Canada and allow the pork industry to be better prepared to deal with diseases.

In partnership with the Atlantic Veterinary College Diagnostic Services (AVCDS) at the University of Prince Edward Island, the “Enteric viral multiplex assay for swine health surveillance in Canada” project will provide a comprehensive test to laboratories and will help veterinarians and producers manage the Canadian hog herd. The data obtained through this project will also be used to inform disease surveillance activities through the Canadian Swine Health Intelligence Network.

“This investment will allow the Atlantic Veterinary College’s Diagnostic Services unit to further contribute to the health and productivity of Canada’s swine industry,” said Dr. Greg Keefe, Dean of UPEI’s Atlantic Veterinary College. “This project will allow us to further refine our current multiplex assay for swine enteric diseases, contributing to the advancement of a national swine health surveillance system.”

“Canadian pork producers welcome this investment in research and development from the Government of Canada in the area of swine health ” said Rick Bergmann, Canadian Pork Council (CPC) Chair, and pork producer from Manitoba. “Animal health is a top priority in our industry and we couldn’t produce the great quality protein we do without access to sound research and technology,” added Mr. Bergmann.

Funding for a University of Montréal project to develop a more advanced disease surveillance tool to enable faster threat detection across Canada was also announced this morning. Funding for two projects was announced by Parliamentary Secretary Jean-Claude Poissant, on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay at Le Porc Show, Québec’s annual industry event.  •

Feed ingredients from China could bring diseases to the North American hog industry, warns Dr. Scott Dee of Pipestone Veterinary Services in Minnesota.

He has studied computer models of trade patterns and viruses to speculate about the threat from increased trade in feed ingredients from China.

It’s possible that’s how Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus broke out in the United States and current Chinese outbreaks of African Swine Fever pose a new threat. The Chinese have found it in feed.

“Very few people realise that [the U.S.] imports two million metric tons of agricultural products a year from the country of China,” Dee said.

“Grains, meat products, vitamins, amino acids, antibiotics – the list goes on and on,” he said.

“It’s amazing what global trade has done in the recent past to kind of make a spider web almost around the world.”

Dee said the U.S. Department of Agriculture is not currently testing any Chinese products for African Swine Fever virus.

“The USDA has not allowed testing to be a routine procedure, but you never know – they might start sampling certain batches in an experimental sense, which I think is a good idea,” he said.

“My concern is it’s going to take a lot of samples before you might find the one positive batch. I think this is kind of a needle in the haystack situation.”

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus outbreaks in Ontario now total 117. The first ones two years ago were traced to feed ingredients Grand Valley Fortifiers of Cambridge brought from the U.S.  •

— By Jim Romahn

China has added another rule to stop the spread of African Swine Fever following a new outbreak on a 73,000-head farm.

Now all pork slaughtering and processing plants will need to conduct a virus blood test before they ship products to market.

The latest outbreak is at the largest hog-farming operation so far. There have been more than 90 outbreaks, many of them in herds of only a few pigs, since the first case in August.

There is world-wide concern about the situation in China because this is a deadly disease that has no cure and no vaccine for prevention. It does not harm humans.  •

— By Jim Romahn

 In documents released recently by Health Canada, lean red meat, such as pork is included in the “Protein Foods” category of healthy foods that should be eaten each day. “It is important to note that plant and animal proteins are not equivalent. Each has a unique nutrient package,” says Mary Ann Binnie, nutrition manager at the Canadian Pork Council. “Pork contains all the amino acids you need along with many B vitamins, iron, zinc and other essential nutrients needed to grow and repair our bodies.”

“Although meat is featured in Canada’sFood Guide, we are concerned that Canadians might interpret this new version as a recommendation to reduce meat consumption in favour of plant-based proteins” explains Rick Bergmann, Canadian Pork Council’s Chair.

Reductions in the consumption of meat could have very serious repercussions on certain groups. Some Canadians – especially women and older adults – do not consume enough important nutrients such as iron, zinc and vitamin B12, the latter only being found in meat. Further reductions in red meat consumption by these individuals may lead to deficiencies affecting mental health, energy levels, and infant birth weight.

Canadians can feel good about eating meat. “We are privileged to be able to choose among a wide variety of affordable protein sources, but some protein sources, like pork, are more efficient at delivering health benefits,” adds Mary Ann Binnie. “My advice is to enjoy pork with lots of vegetables and whole grains and benefit from a mix of foods that delivers greater nutritional value.”  •

A Senate committee report recommends that farmers and forest owners should be granted carbon offset credits when the federal carbon tax kicks into place in April.

It also says farmers ought not to have to pay carbon tax on energy used to heat barns and greenhouses.

It calls for more research to find ways in which farming can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as developing new crop varieties and technologies.

The federal carbon tax is due to start at $20 a tonne this April, eventually rising to $50 a tonne.

Ontario has joined Saskatchewan in a court challenge against the federal carbon tax.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford cancelled the Liberal government’s carbon exchange as one of his first acts after winning election last fall.

Under that exchange, the province raised several billions of dollars selling carbon credits to companies needing them to offset their ongoing greenhouse gas emissions. The Liberals used the revenues to carbon-reduction subsidies, such as up to $14,000 per vehicle for all-electric cars.  •

— By Jim Romahn

Canada’s new Food Guide, released by Health Canada today, highlights what we’ve known for decades, that a quarter of your plate should be protein. Lean red meat provides Canadians with high-quality protein, B vitamins, iron, zinc and other essential nutrients – it’s a healthy choice in a balanced diet.

“The visual may have changed, but the advice to enjoy lean red meat with lots of vegetables, fruit and whole grains remains the same as previous iterations of the Food Guide,” says Chris White, CEO and President of the Canadian Meat Council. “It’s refreshing that the Food Guide is focusing on how to eat, not just what to eat.”

Some people are interpreting the food guide as a directive to eat less meat. However, Canadians have already adjusted their red meat consumption. Canadians understand moderation. According to an Ipsos poll[1] conducted in September 2017 of 1,000-plus Canadians, 72% of respondents reported to eat three or less servings of meat a week. Encouragingly, 3 out of 4 respondents understand the importance of red meat in providing essential nutrients for optimum health but there’s room for more education.

“Meat has benefits when added to diets that are largely plant-based by helping the body absorb nutrients, like iron and zinc,” said Mary Ann Binnie, a nutrition expert with the Canadian Meat Council. “The synergies of eating red meat and veggies together cannot be underestimated.”

All proteins aren’t created equal. Plant and animal proteins vary by the unique nutrient packages they offer and also by their calorie contribution. For example, a 75 gram pork chop provides 25 grams of protein and 130 calories. You need over ¾ cup almonds at five times the amount of calories (687 calories) and 2 ½ cups chickpeas at almost four times the calories (490 calories) to consume the same amount of protein.

“Rather than splitting hairs over protein choices, Canadians need to focus on moderation and reducing the foods they’re eating that are not part of the Food Guide – those energy-dense, nutritionally-lacking products like chips, pop, donuts, muffins, danishes, candy and chocolate bars” add Binnie.•

Farmers Farmacy® and Schippers Canada Ltd. are pleased to announce the alliance that was formed between Schippers Canada Ltd. and Farmers Farmacy® in Ontario back in September 2017 is now extending to Manitoba in 2019.

Recently on February 1st 2019, Farmers Farmacy® will became the master distributor of Schippers Canada’s HyCareTM focus products in Manitoba. These products include: MS Topfoam, MS T&T Cleaner, MS Megades Novo, MS Dry Care Plus, MS Goldmix pH, Di-O-Clean, MS Equal Coating, MS Support and Hoof Care as well as 300 MS Schippers “retail” products.

Schippers focus products are already in stock at the Farmers Farmacy® Order & Pick-Up Points located in Winnipeg, Brandon, Lethbridge and Red Deer. Additional Schippers products as well as the full line of 2,000 Farmers Farmacy® products are available to be ordered online, by email, over the phone, or in person at the Order & Pick-Up Points. These additional products are shipped within one week of ordering, arriving every Wednesday at each of the four locations. Further, producers may choose to purchase from a selection of 10,000 Schippers products in inventory in the Netherlands with delivery in 6-8 weeks.

In addition to extending the alliance between Schippers Canada and Farmers Farmacy®, Farmers Farmacy® is pleased to announce the joining of Arian de Bekker to the Farmers Farmacy® team back in January. Arian de Bekker has lead the development of the Schippers Canada Ltd business across Canada since 2012. Due to his extensive knowledge of the Schippers products, his many relationships within the livestock industry and his passion to see livestock producers reach their performance and productivity potential, Arian is uniquely gifted to lead in the sales and business development of the Farmers Farmacy®/ Schippers Canada Ltd. alliance across Canada.   •

Canada’s Agriculture Day will be held on February 12 this year, marking the third annual celebration of the agriculture industry and all others who play a role in bringing food to our tables.

“The agriculture and agri-food industry employs one in eight Canadians. From farmers and their suppliers to food processors and retailers, it is an incredible industry filled with smart, passionate and innovative people,” said Lawrence MacAulay, minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

“With an economic impact of over $110 billion, Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector is a key part of our economy. Charting its future success is something we all have a stake in. Canada’s Agriculture Day gives everyone the opportunity to celebrate the agriculture industry and encourages consumers to better understand where their food comes from.”

This year’s marquee event in Ottawa will bring together producers, grocery retail and agriculture industry leaders for a dynamic day of discussion focusing on the future of food.

For more ideas on how to celebrate Canada’s Agriculture Day or for a list of community events, visit AgDay.ca.  •

Canadian Meat Council (CMC) applauds the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) as today marks the historic coming into force date of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations.

“The meat industry is one of the most heavily regulated sector in Canada. We have a long-standing relationship with CFIA and these regulations are an essential building block of a risk-based, modern food safety system that is long overdue” says Chris White, President and CEO of CMC.

The outcome-based regulations will allow a greater degree of flexibility and innovation that could build efficiencies in the industry. CMC will continue to work with the CFIA to ensure ongoing consistent application and enforcement of the SFCR, and support the implementation at our members’ establishments.

CMC will keep working with the CFIA as a partner in providing safe, high-quality, and nutritious meat to Canadians and the rest of the world.  •

Chinese researchers say they have successfully edited pig genes to counter classical swine fever.

Their genetically-modified pigs will not allow the disease to multiply.

As a result, the treated pigs showed fewer symptoms of classical swine fever and fewer deaths.

They believe the alteration can be transmitted to offspring.

Their research report is published in the in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens.

The authors say their approach will work better than commercial vaccines and reduce losses caused by the disease.

Gene-editing work by others has resulted in piglets being born that cannot be infected by TGE or PRRS. Those were two separate research projects, but each involved a gene that produces an enzyme that’s necessary for the virus to enter a cell.

Other gene-editing projects aim to eliminate the ability of cattle to grow horns and pigs to reach sexual maturity and produce a substance that gives off an offensive odour when pork from boars is cooked.  •

— By Jim Romahn

The federal government said it is investing of up to $279,223 in the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) to lead the International Phase of the Quality AgriWorkforce Management Program.

This project is designed to clarify best practices for recruiting and retaining international workers.

The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council will use the money to develop and deliver communications and training to employers. It will include guides, information on a website, webinars, workshop training materials and promotional materials.

The government said its research has shown that each international worker who is hired results in two to four full-time Canadian agriculture-related jobs.

The government took the opportunity to repeat that foreign workers can only be hired if no qualified Canadian willing to do the work can be found.  •

A research team has used a computer algorithm to discover key factors in the spread of diseases and found that moving hogs from one site to another is the most important avenue.

Gustavo Machada, assistant professor of population health and pathobioloty at North Carolina State University led the team that included colleagues at the University of Minnesota and Universidada Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil.

They prepared their machine-learning techniques using Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus as the model.

The data included all pig movement types, hog density, and environmental and weather factors such as vegetation, wind speed, temperature and precipitation for sow herds.

They examined “neighbourhoods” that were defined as a 10-kilometer radius around sow farms. They fed the model information about outbreaks, animal movements into each neighbourhood and the environmental characteristics inside each neighbourhood.

Ultimately, their model was able to predict PEDV outbreaks with approximately 80 percent accuracy.

Besides pig movements, other important factors turned up by the analysis of the data were terrain slope and vegetation.

The research was based on data from sow herds in North Carolina.

Machado said “as we get more data from other farm sites across the U.S., we expect the model’s accuracy to increase. Our end goal is to have near real-time risk predictions so that farmers and veterinarians can provide preventative care to high-risk areas and make decisions based on data.”

Next steps for the researchers include improving the model to predict a wider range of diseases and expanding it to include other industries, such as poultry.

The work appears in Scientific Reports, and is supported by the National Pork Board and the Swine Health Information Center.  •

— By Jim Romahn