Looking out my office window as I am typing this it is snowing a bit and quite windy, although not really cold, the wind chill of -15˚C. But would take that any day over the devastation that BC is facing right now. My heart, thoughts and prayers are with all affected in any way by mother natures nasty force. The ag sector is a tight knit community and we are already hearing of offers of help – from feed, to temporary shelters for the few animals that were saved, just to name a few (now a Go Fund Me Page). Thanks to John Guliker for sharing his very personal account of the tragic situation.
Recently a GoFundMe page has been set to help those in BC. See bottom of page 49 for more details. To donate to the Help Our BC Farm Families GoFundMe page, please visit: gofundme/com/f/help-our-BC- farm-families .
For more information contact Dr Jessica Law, at Prairie Livestock Veterinarians
Included in this edition is follow-up coverage from Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop, Manitoba Pork fall producers meeting and Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium, all events because of COVID restrictions moved to a virtual format.
Looking ahead to January Banff Pork Seminar will take place as a hybrid event, as of last week Ashley Steeple BPS coordinator, shared with me that over 300 had already registered for in person event. It will be wonderful to see many from the hog sector together under one roof again, as it’s been a long time. Ashely shared, “The safety of our delegates is of utmost importance and we are taking steps to ensure that in-person delegates have a well-managed and safe experience in keeping with mandated COVID-19 protocols.” Attendees must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination upon entry to the conference. Those unable to attend in person will still have the opportunity to participate virtually online. There is a very solid line up of speakers on very current topics. Keynote speakers include Brett Stuart, Trevor Sears, Patrick Moore, Christa Arsenault and Vincent ter Beek. With breakout sessions covering topics on Health, Welfare, Sow Productivity, Management & Production, Human Resources, Water Quality, Feeding and of course the Innovators presentations.  Check banffpork.ca for all details and to register online.
Also included in this edition are stories about Wild Boars, ASF, PED, Drought ramifications, Independents to create jobs, Profits, Flu shots and much much more.
Mentioning 2022, I’m thrilled to share that it will be the 26th year of publishing for Prairie Hog Country. We are so proud to continue to be your only Independent source of hog news and information dedicated to Western Canada. I want to especially thank those companies that choose to use Prairie Hog Country get their products/services message direct to producers, without your financial support there would be no magazine, so thank you!
Wishing you, your families, barn staff all the very best this holiday season. Take a moment to be grateful for all the true blessings we have. Merry CHRISTmas.
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:   
Stay safe and stay healthy, talk to you in 2022. •