On April 18, the Canadian Pork Council said Olymel’s announcement of the closure of its Vallée-Jonction, QC plant is tough news for the industry.“The reasons the company stated – the pandemic, an ongoing labour shortage, inflationary pressures and challenges with accessing foreign markets – have impacted the entire industry,” said Rene Roy, chair of
Ian Smith
Ian Smith, whose parents started the farm, continues to crop the original quarter section of land, inhabits the farmhouse and buildings, and raises pigs, cattle and chickens.“Things are going fine,” said Smith on his messenger communications app after a question prompted that remark. “I will start cultivating later today as I have press
According to the National Pork Producers Council in the United States, Dr. Elizabeth Cox, animal care program manager for the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Prop 12 enforcement will start on July 2, 2023. Since the definition of sow housing changed 18 months ago, no product or pigs will be “grandfathered in.” Therefore,
Stan Vanessen, Alberta Pork chair
Producers in Alberta should see a smooth transition following a changing of the guard at Alberta Pork. Early in Spring, Lethbridge-area producer Stan Vanessen took the reins from Brent Moen, who had served as chair for the past four years. Moen becomes vice-chair for the final year of his term,
Fully Renovated 1100-head sow barn with Gestal loosehousing system.
The breeding barn is taking shape and almost ready for sows
Blue Clay Farms, located in the Red River Valley near Arnaud, Manitoba, started the colony in 1994, raising crops and livestock. The colony also manufactures metal and produces quality products in the BLC cabinet division.In 2022
Inside Research Barn
Researchers in Lacombe are leading the world in a series of projects aimed at tailoring pig genetics to create high-quality primal cuts.Around the globe, different buyers have diverging demands when they’re selecting primals – the most expensive parts of the carcass, says Lethbridge-based livestock breeder Bob Kemp, vice-president for research, development and
The Future of PED Working Group developed a Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea elimination plan for Manitoba. The group set it up in response to a major outbreak in 2021-2022 to look at PED management strategies, including what worked and what needed to change.Jenelle Hamblin, the Director of Swine Health with Manitoba Pork, told the AGM
The excellent attendance, a great program, and substantial interest are how chair Rick Préjet described the AGM of the Manitoba Pork Council held on April 14.While things keep changing for the hog industry, with grain prices and input costs varying, Préjet said last year was good for the hog industry in Manitoba.“Although there were
Olymel’s decision to shut production at six sow barns in Western Canada has sent a shock through the entire industry, says the manager of Western Hog Exchange.Early in the afternoon of Friday, May 26, Olymel announced it plans to wind down operations at six sow barns with a net impact of reducing by 200,000
Due to the continued financial losses and uncertainty in the hog and pork markets for the foreseeable future, Olymel will reduce its hog production in Western Canada.A company release from the Humboldt, SK office said approximately 80 staff will receive layoff notices. This decision will result in the closure of five sow units in
