As I am penning this I can hear the hum off bees on a tree outside my office window. A sure sign that spring has sprung, plus all the seeding being done in the fields. So it should feel like the world is normal … well as we all know with the continuing COVID 19 pandemic still nothing is normal. While we are able to get out a bit more, most of us are still cautious.
Many of my readers know that I am quite involved with our church, as chair of Board of Worship –it has taken on whole new job description with Live Stream Services and new Worship Guidelines. While preparing notes for a council meeting last week (let me add on, in a stressed deadline mode) I found myself using pig barn references when trying to explain part of our future reopening guidelines. Comparing members coming and going is similar to all in all out finishing barn, while respecting our CAZ & RAZ zones. I had more than a few giggles and laughs from the group. But they all understood Control and Restricted Access Zones. In these stressful unsure days we all have to find times to laugh a bit more.
Included in this edition are a few stories that help try and explain some of the difference in processing prices, depending where in Canada you are located and more so where you ship your pigs.
Thanks to all the producers who took the time to return the annual readership survey. We will have complete results in the August-September issue of Prairie Hog Country. Many encouraging comments again, thanks so much for the continued support of our valued readers for without them there would be nobody reading this issue. And, an even bigger word of thanks to advertisers for without their financial support, there would be no Prairie Hog Country. I look forward to serving you both for many, many years to come.
Get your cameras ready it is photo contest time. Be sure to send in your Kodak moments by July 17th for a chance to claim top prize in the photo contest plus have an opportunity to have photos included in 2021 calendar. As in previous years please send photos that are a positive reflection of our industry. Remember to send in high resolution photos. See more details page 41.
At this point plans are proceeding with fall/winter shows and seminars, should the guidelines still not allow mass gatherings other options will be pursued for some of the events. Check out Pork Chops for all upcoming dates and contact information.
A word of appreciation to Pastor Neil, who once again agreed to submit a portion of one of his recent sermons. I had numerous comments after I ran his message in the April release so I wanted to continue with some words of reassurance. Check out page 34.
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 August. Stay safe and stay healthy. •