Saskatchewan Livestock Expo Postponed
Saskatchewan Livestock Expo, former Cramer Ag Expo has been postponed till Thursday May 12th, in hopes that COVID 19 current variant spread have become more manageable, we continue to keep the health of our exhibitors, attendees, their families, and each other, top of mind.
All SASK Health protocols and guidelines will be followed; booths will be distanced, one way directional aisles, hand sanitizing stations, mandatory masks, limited attendance.
The one day show will be held at Kinetic Exhibition Park in Swift Current, SK from 8:30 – 5.
Registration is open. Booths are 70% sold out. Check the website for downloadable form at www.cramereventmanagement.com
Should the show be cancelled due to COVID 19 full refunds will be given to exhibitors and sponsors.
For details or information contact expo manger Lisa Doyle of Vibrant Even Management at 403.305.1563 or
E: lisa@vibranteventmanagement.ca
A block of guest rooms will be held at the Days Inn (formally BW) 105 George St W, Swift Current, SK so reserve early, call 306.773.4660. Please inform front desk that you are attending Saskatchewan Livestock Expo. •

Livestock Care Conference 2022  
The theme is PREP for Livestock Emergencies (Plan, Respond, Evaluate, Progress) and will include emergency planning discussions, panels, experts, producer and industry leaders who will share their own experiences and a table top workshop on crisis planning.
The three-day conference Tuesday, March 15 to Thursday, March 17, 2022 will be held in the Pomeroy Inn & Suites in Olds, Alberta.
The conference welcomes Rebecca Gimenez Husted as our keynote speaker providing a high-level look at livestock emergency planning, prep and management.  The next two days will follow the emergency planning process from preparation, to managing an emergency as it is happening, and then evaluating and learnings post-event.
“The conference planning team is taking their own advice and planning for change,” says Annemarie Pedersen, AFAC Executive Director “While the ideal situation is to have everyone together for the conference, we have Plans B & C in the wings to reduce numbers and contact, as well as the ability to revert most of the program to virtual if needed.”
As well, anyone wishing to attend the LCC 2022 virtually will be able to register for a special ticket that will give them access to all of the session recordings shortly after they take place, providing those outside of Alberta the same access they had for LCC 2021. “We were thrilled to see people from all across western Canada attend the LCC last year and we hope to continue that trend,” says Pedersen.
Registration, sponsor and exhibitor packages will be available soon; some sessions and offers will have limited availability. Sign up for the today to be notified when more information becomes available.  Further updates to be posted on this website and follow us on social media for speaker, program and agenda announcements and more.
For the latest details and registration information please refer to the website afac.ab.ca •

Montana Livestock Expo

The 2nd Annual Montana Livestock Expo will take place Wednesday April 6th, at the Montana Expo Park in Great Falls MT. Where Ag Business Takes Centre Stage, presented by Friesen Balanced Livestock Nutrition.

For details about the show contact show event organizer Doug Cramer at 306.520.3553 or cramerexpomgmt@gmail.com or website cramereventmanagement.com. •

Alberta Pork Congress 
After a two year hiatus Alberta Pork Congress is looking forward to again take place in June of this year. Join us in Red Deer at Westerner Park June 15th and 16th.
The show will proceed while adhearing to provinical, local and venue guidleines, following all current restrictions. All attendees health and saftey are top priorty.
Their will be no awards banquet this year. Information on other social events will be shared as decisions are made.
Please stay tuned to future issues of Prairie Hog Country for more details.
Check the Alberta Pork Congress website albertaporkcongress.com for most updated information and details on booth registration.
Should the show have to be cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic there will be full refunds for booths and sponsorships.
Please contact Kate Kelly, email her at kate@albertaporkcongress.com or call 403.542.7906 . •

Alberta Livestock Expo
Plans are underway for the Alberta Livestock Expo to take place in Lethbridge. Save the date October 12th & 13th, 2022. •
Saskatchewan Pork Symposium
If marking your calendars another date to pencil in is for Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium. The two day event is planned for November 15th and 16th. More details will be available in the months and issues to come. •

Prairie Livestock Expo
The committee will be starting to plan for the Prairie Livestock Expo to take place in Winnipeg. Mark the the date on your calendars December 7th, 2022. •

Highly Contagious Variant Could Stress Canadian Food Production
Canada’s chronically understaffed agriculture industry is warning that increased absenteeism related to the highly contagious Omicron variant could severely stress this country’s food production systems.
Already, there are signs of strain. A slaughterhouse in Quebec opted to euthanize thousands of chickens that couldn’t be processed recently, blaming rising COVID-19 infections among employees as well as federal delays processing temporary foreign worker applications for its protracted staff shortage.
Mary Robinson, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, said there are very few aspects of food production that aren’t vulnerable to COVID-related labour shortages and interruptions.
“Dairy farms are a concern. The cows have to be fed, have to be milked, have to be cared for,” she said. “The pork industry is a concern — you can’t stop a sow from farrowing. You’re going to have thousands and thousands of animals being born, you can’t slow that down.”
The rural, isolated nature of farm jobs and the physicality of the work are two of the reasons behind a chronic, long-standing labour shortage in Canadian agriculture. In 2014, primary agricultural producers lost out on $1.4-billion in potential sales due to the inability to find workers, Robinson said.
That number rose to $2.9 billion in 2020, in large part due to the impact of COVID-19 on the industry’s workforce challenges, she added
Quebec-based Olymel L.P., which operates approximately 40 hog and chicken processing plants in Canada, is seeing an increase in COVID cases among its employees, said spokesman Richard Vigneault.
In some cases, he said, rising case numbers are causing reduced production speeds.
“If the Omicron contamination continues to escalate, it is not impossible that there will be some disruption in our operations, but we are not there yet,” Vigneault said in an email.
He added Olymel is working with the public health authorities in Quebec to develop a safe return-to-work protocol for asymptomatic contact cases among employees. •

African Swine Fever Spreads
Thailand has reported its first case of African Swine Fever.
It was detected at a pork packing plant.
Hungary reported outbreaks in nine wild boars across the country in the past week, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said recently.
And Latvia and Italy have also reported recent cases detected in their wild boar populations. • — By Jim Romahn

Feds Supported Pork Promotion
Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced three subsidies for the pork industry when she spoke back in December at the Le Porc show in Quebec.
Canada Pork International gets about $3.2 million to undertake export market development initiatives to maintain and improve access to international markets, and develop promotional activities and tools to increase market share in priority markets.
Funding of more than $550,000 will support the Canadian Pork Council’s national marketing activities to increase consumption and value domestically. This funding will also support the Council’s work to enhance international relationships and coordination with members across the value chain. These projects are supported under the federal AgriMarketing Program.
Bibeau also announced an additional $850,000 for the Council to help industry prevent and prepare for African Swine Fever.
This adds to previously-announced funding of more than $3.8 million for the Canadian Pork Excellence platform, which integrates three principal on-farm programs: PigSAFE, a food safety and biosecurity program; PigCARE, an animal care program; and PigTRACE, a traceability program. These projects are funded through the federal AgriAssurance Program.
Canada is the third-largest pork exporter in the world, exporting about two thirds of production worth $5.4 Billion to more than 90 countries in 2020.
In 2020, the 7,635 Canadian hog farms produced 27.8 million hogs. The largest hog producing provinces are Manitoba, Québec and Ontario, representing 80 percent of total production. •
— By Jim Romahn

VIDO Receives Funding
Professor Suresh Tikoo at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization in the University of Saskatchewan was one of the receipt of funding allocated for research.
Specifically for a research project on African Swine Fever, a virus with nearly one hundred percent fatality rate.
The funding has given Tikoo $140,000 to grow African swine virus in a continuous porcine cell line.
Previous research used primary cells, which are only used once or twice before dying, Tikoo said.
Combined with a lack of suitable biohazard facilities, “it’s very tedious. It’s very time consuming, which means it’s very costly,” he said.
That’s why there have been few studies looking at how the virus interacts with its hosts, replicating itself and causing disease.
The lack of a reliable cell line also makes it hard to develop and commercially produce a vaccine — which is an issue because the virus is resilient and has spread around the world.
Tikoo added the new funding helps, but researchers like him need three to four years of steady funding to develop a treatment and possibly avert some of the economic losses to Canada’s $24 billion pork industry. •

Duroc Promoted as Brand-Name Pork
The National Swine Registry (NSR) is launching the first association-based branded pork program, calling it Certified DUROC Pork (CDP).
“We’re focusing on how we can tell the story of Duroc from a standpoint of pork quality, making sure we deliver a quality-based product, and talking about the importance of utilizing Duroc genetics to enhance the consumer experience as well as the value of Duroc genetics for purebred breeders,” said Clay Zwilling, chief executive officer for NSR.
Zwilling said consumers want to know where their pork comes from and that they are getting a quality product every time.
“Between some of the promotional activities the National Pork Board has done from the standpoint of emphasizing proper cookery methods and proper pork cut selection, consumers are seeing pork as a great option and understanding that there is a quality differential, a taste differential, and a value differential there,” he said.
It’s a prime opportunity to address an industry gap.”
NSR is the organization that maintains the pedigree database for Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace and Yorkshire breeds of swine.
It chose Duroc for branding because “with Duroc, we know inherently this breed has a higher level of intramuscular fat and marbling, better pH and better water holding capacity,” Zwilling said.
He said there is opportunity to expand to other breeds, in particular Hampshire, but Durocs already have name recognition in the marketplace as well as proven quality superiority. •
— By Jim Romahn

Humane Transport Standards Kick in February 1
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is alerting the livestock trucking industry that its humane transport standards will come into force February 1.
They have been on the books since 2019, but the CFIA granted a delay in enforcement because it realized some time was needed to set up stations where livestock could be unloaded to get feed, water and rest.
This was particularly true for livestock moving between Eastern and Western Canada because of the long haul through a relatively unpopulated area of Northwestern Ontario.
Livestock transporters are required to carry specific documentation (paper or electronic) with them when they are transporting animals. This includes information about the shipper, transporter, and receiver, as well as information about the trailer, such as when it was last cleaned and disinfected, and how much floor space is available to the animals.
Livestock transporters must also have a contingency plan for situations that may arise in transport that have the potential to impact the animals on-board, such as traffic jams, delivery delays, accidents, and extreme weather. Drivers must know the contingency plan and be able to implement it if an unforeseen situation arises.
Lastly, all livestock transporters must be competent and knowledgeable in their jobs to protect the animals’ well-being and abide by the federal transport regulations. Participating in training, such as the Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) program, is a good way for swine transporters to build competence, along with learning directly from experienced drivers and pig handlers. Training is legally required for commercial livestock transport companies. Drivers hauling market hogs must be TQA trained to deliver pigs. •
— By Jim Romahn

Sask Pork Welcomes New Board of Directors and Executive
Sask Pork has announced its 2021-23 provincial Board of Directors. Toby Tschetter of Star City Farming Co. (Star City, SK); Jay McGrath of Sinnett Pork Farm Ltd. (Leroy, SK.); John Beckton of Brock Stock Farm Ltd. (Saskatoon, SK); Jason Hofer of Spring Lake Farming Co. (Swift Current, SK); Casey Smit of Olymel (Humboldt, SK); and Dickson Gould of The Progressive Group of Companies (Niverville, MB) will make up the new board.
At the first meeting of the Board of Directors held this week in Saskatoon, directors elected the 2021-23 Executive.  Toby Tschetter was elected Chair, Jay McGrath was elected Vice-Chair and John Beckton will hold the Audit Chair position.
“I’m really looking forward to continuing the great work already happening at Sask Pork. We will continue to build on the foundation set by previous boards, and capitalize on the growing demand for hogs and opportunities for Canadian pork,” said incoming Sask Pork Board Chair Toby Tschetter.
“On behalf of Sask Pork, I would like to extend a sincere thank you to our outgoing board and executive members and offer a warm welcome to our new board members and executive in their new roles.   We look forward to their support and guidance in helping fulfill Sask Pork’s role in growing and advocating for the Saskatchewan hog industry as well as providing programs and services to Saskatchewan’s community of hog producers.” 
Sask Pork represents hog farmers across Saskatchewan who market over 2 million hogs annually.  Hog production is the third most significant agricultural sector in Saskatchewan, behind grains and oilseeds and beef production.  Saskatchewan’s hog industry accounts for over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs and contributes significantly to the local economy in both rural and urban areas. •

Man Gets Pig’s Heart Transplant
A 57-year-old man in Maryland has received the first heart transplant from a genetically-modified pig and is reportedly doing well.

The eight-hour operation took place in Baltimore at the University of Maryland Medical Center on Jan. 7 and officials there said he may be able to recover beginning as early as today without the help of a heart-lung bypass machine.
David Bennett Sr, is doing well, surgeons said. He decided to “gamble on the experimental treatment” because he would have died without a new heart and had no other treatment options available.
Bennett’s doctor, Dr. Bartley Griffith, pointed out that while the heart is working and looks normal, no one knows what tomorrow will bring as this is the first time this procedure has been done. •
— By Jim Romahn

Name Update
The National Farm Animal Health and Welfare Council has formally changed its name as of January 10, 2022.  The new name, Animal Health Canada (AHC), is the first step in realizing a new vision and mission, as well as a new governance structure for the organization.
Animal Health Canada’s new vision and mission will include increased collaboration between industry and government groups, building upon the success of the NFAHW Council while shifting to a more collaborative model of governance and clarification of roles. Animal welfare, surveillance, and emergency management will continue to be integral to the organization. •

Sheep, Goats to Benefit from Genomics
The federal government is giving $495,000 to the Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement (CCSI) for its efforts to increase innovation and resiliency within Canada’s sheep and goat industries.
CCSI will work with partners develop a Canada-wide integrated genetic services system to help sheep and goat farmers improve productivity and increase supply.
CCSI has a track record for applying genomics to mating. •
— By Jim Romahn

Food Safety Companies Merge
Neogen Corp. and 3M announced back in December that they intend to merge their food safety businesses.
3M will separate its food safety business and then it will combine with Neogen. The transactions are due to be completed by next fall.
The companies said the result will be a leader in the food safety sector with a comprehensive product range and a strategic focus on the category’s long-term growth opportunities.
The transaction implies an enterprise value for 3M’s Food Safety business of approximately $5.3 billion, including $1 billion in new debt to be incurred by 3M’s Food Safety business.
The combined company is expected to have an enterprise value of approximately $9.3 billion, based on Neogen’s closing share price in December. •
— By Jim Romahn

China Imports Declined by 5% for 22
China, the world’s largest pork market, imported 2.8M tonnes of pig meat worth $8B from January to August 2021, a recent report from IndexBox states. Compared to the same period a year earlier, the volume of imports remained nearly unchanged, while in value terms purchases grew by 3%. However, data offered by the General Administration of Customs show a downward trend for meat imports in the second half of 2021.
Pork supplies from the US dropped by 36% to 340K tonnes, while Spain and Brazil sharply boosted their exports to China. Against the same period of 2020, purchases from Spain increased by 70% to 900K tonnes or by 76% to $2.6B in value terms. Supplies from Brazil rose by 25% to 360K tonnes or 21% to $1.2B in monetary terms.
In 2022, China’s pork imports are projected to drop by 5% due to rising domestic pork production. The Chinese government is expected to support large pig farming companies to keep expanding their herds.
Pork imports into China soared from 2.0M tonnes in 2019 to 4.3M tonnes in 2020. In value terms, purchases skyrocketed from $4.5B to $11.9B. Spain (934K tonnes), the US (696K tonnes), and Brazil (481K tonnes) were the leading suppliers of pork to China, with a combined 49% share of total imports. In value terms, the largest pork suppliers to China were Spain ($2.7B), the US ($1.6B) and Brazil ($1.6B), with a combined 49% share of total supplies.
However, according to Jacek Strzelecki, a Polish market analyst, in 2022 China may reach 100% in pig meat self-sufficiency. “Pork production in China:
2021 96% self-sufficiency; 2022 100% self-sufficiency; 2023 102% self-sufficiency. Pig herd in China – forecast:
2022 – 504 million units;
2023 – 554 million units,” said Mr. Strzelecki in a tweet. The effect will be felt by major players such as Brazil, Spain, the US and Canada. •
— source euromeat news.com

Food Price Increases Predicted
Food prices are predicted to rise by five to seven per cent in 2022, according to research for Canada’s Food Price Guide.
The same team predicted prices would rise by three to five per cent this year, but they actually fell slightly short of that prediction.
Four universities prepare the report: Dalhousie in Halifax, Guelph, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
This year beef was the leader in pushing prices higher; it’s up by 10 per cent. But next year the researchers predict beef prices will decline by two per cent, as will seafood.
Everything else will be more expensive, led by dairy increasing by six to eight per cent, bakery items by five to seven per cent, vegetables by five to seven per cent and fruits by three to five per cent.
The report said supply chain problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic continue to push costs and prices higher.
Heat and drought across Western Canada share in the reasons for price increases, such as wheat pushing bakery department prices higher. •
— By Jim Romahn

Biden Pumps $1 Billion into Small Packer Sector
United States President Joe Biden announced his administration will invest $1 billion in smaller-scale meat-packing companies in an effort to increase competition.
It’s no surprise because Biden often cited it when legislation authorizing the spending was wending its way through Congress and the Senate.
But it drew strident opposition from the North American Meat Institute whose members include all of the largest meat-packing companies in the United States and Canada.
NAMI said it’s not lack of competition that has led to higher meat prices, but the forces of supply and demand.
NAMI said the real pressure is coming from the shortage of workers and hefty wage increases many packers began to offer to retain and attract staff during the last few months.
Biden has pointed to price-fixing lawsuits against the nation’s largest chicken and pork packers as evidence of the lack of competition.
Beef farmers in particular have complained that prices for their cattle are stuck while wholesale beef prices and packer profits have soared during the COVID-19 pandemic.
NAMI wants the Biden administration to tell how many more competitors it thinks the meat industry needs, how high it thinks cattle prices ought to rise, where workers will be found for the new packing-industry capacity and what the pay levels should be, has it identified regions to be targeted and has it considered the impact on existing small-scale competitors. •
— By Jim Romahn

Alberta Pork Welcomes New Directors
Alberta Pork welcomes Stan Vanessen and Dan Majeau to the board of directors.
Two director-at-large positions were available this year. Stan and Dan were elected by acclamation. They will begin their upcoming three year terms following Alberta Pork’s semi annual meetings, taking place in March 2022.
Appreciation to director Hendrik Fourie for his dedication and contributions over his two terms of service. •

Fast Genetics Acquires Acuity Ag Solutions
Fast Genetics, a Canadian-based swine genetics company wholly owned by STgen, is excited to announce that they have acquired Acuity, an Illinois-based swine genetics company founded by The Maschhoffs.
 STgen purchased Fast Genetics in 2015 from HyLife, a Canadian-based pork producer, processor, and important customer. Fast Genetics will continue to lead the industry in providing producers with the most stable supply of high health, balanced and efficient genetics while utilizing the industry’s most innovative and impactful technologies, such as sex-sorted sperm and advanced DNA testing. The addition of Acuity further increases Fast Genetics’ footprint in the US marketplace and will better allow both parties to serve pork producers across North America and worldwide.
Fast Genetics and Acuity customers will now have access to genetic lines from both entities, as well as gene transfer centers, multiplication supply, technical services, genetic teams, and transformational technology.
Through the transition phase, both Fast Genetics and Acuity will operate independently and continue to deliver value to our customers. •