Greetings in the first edition of 2024, Prairie Hog Country’s 28th year. I am so excited to be bringing you the latest hog news and information for another calendar year. Thanks so very much for your continued support, encouragement, readership and financial support through advertising which enables me to print and mail out every edition six times per year.
This edition has follow up coverage from Banff Pork Seminar, Brandon Hog & Livestock Expo, advocating for mental health, Prop 12 updates, Russian pig production, research updates on wild boar and much more.
In mentioning Banff Pork Seminar, there were 739 registered attendees. Kudos to the entire organizing committee, program directors and Ashley for anther solid lineup of topics and speakers. Congratulations to the George Foxcroft Lectureship Award PigGen Canada, David Klocke, from PigEasy LLC & Klocke Farms for the FX Aherne Award winning MealMeter 2.0. First place winner of RO Ball Young Scientist Grad Student Competition was Ashlyn Scott from the University of Manitoba for her presentation of Burlap & Buddies. Second place was awarded to Joshua Theriault from the University of Alberta.
While in Banff the extreme cold weather could not crush the spirit of attendees, but it did create chaos for many trying to leave Calgary airport with numerous flights delayed or even cancelled. I heard from a few that just rented cars and drove back home, even provinces away. Garry Waldner from Grand Manufacturing was ever grateful to Wheatland Colony for driving him all the way back to Oakville after they had truck problems.
Back in mid-December Brandon Hog & Livestock Expo took place, the one day trade show attracted attendees and exhibitors from across Canada and the US. This was the first show in Brandon since 2019, as 2021 was cancelled due to the pandemic. The highlight of the day as always is the Pork Quality Competition, this years competition had 30 hogs entered from 16 colonies. As in previous years charity is the big winner of the day, with the top five picking their charities of choice. In addition the meat was donated to Samaritan House Ministries and Brandon Women’s Shelter, and the meat was processed by North 40 Packers. The top five were 5th Northern Breeze Colony, 3rd Boundary Lane Colony, 2nd Skyview Colony and taking 4th and Grand Champion was Wellwood Colony. See the story on page 33.
Thinking of trade shows in three and half weeks from when I am penning this, we will gather in Swift Current for Saskatchewan Livestock Expo. I will be at the front beside the carcass cooler so be sure to stop in say hi and fill out an entry for door prize draws. The sold out trade show opens at 8:30 am with the Cramer Cup series being announced at the end of the day.
Be sure to look in Pork Chops for a list of all the upcoming events, meeting places where the hog sector gathers.
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 April. •