Greetings on a bright and sunny Saturday afternoon, as I am penning this. We have been blessed with some much needed rain, so a treat to see the sunshine.
First off I have to say what an amazing response to the kids colouring contest – 219 entries – WOW! The winners, drawn from a random draw, are listed on page 46. It was fantastic to see such a high level of participants.
Also the submitted amount of returned readership surveys was great. Some good suggestions for what you, our readers, want to see in story ideas or more coverage on. I was impressed again with the longevity of readership, many over 20 years. I was also pleased with the number that stated optimistic about future of hog production in Western Canada. The complete results will be shared in the August edition. As always I carry all the surveys with me at trade shows and seminars if anyone ever wishes to read or review them. Thanks for your continued support and encouragement from both the readers and advertisers.
In April Harry was one of only two media attending the Canadian Wild Boar Summit in Brandon, you will see extensive coverage on this concerning topic. While this seminar was based in Manitoba, wild boar is a problem all across the prairies.
Also included in this edition is follow up coverage from Manitoba Porks AGM and Prairie Swine Centre spring meetings. Features on a pig problem solver, a foodie who reminds us the value of pork, a Canadian connection to the Indian swine sector, an update on COOL plus much more.
Two and a half weeks from when I am typing this we will be in Red Deer for the 50th Alberta Pork Congress. Many special things planned for the milestone including a memory lane and anniversary lunch with great door prizes. As I am still on the board of directors for Alberta Pork Congress and I was privileged to help with two of the four industry awards videos that will presented at the banquet Wednesday night. It always amazes me how humbled the winning recipients are.
Arlene, Brenda and I will be in the Prairie Hog Country booth right at front entrance. Be sure to stop in fill out door prize entries and try and toss a pig to win “pig coin.” Stay tuned to the August edition for full follow up coverage.
The June edition marks the annual photo contest, although I am no longer printing a calendar, due to the printer change last fall, I will still include the winners and many of the submitted entries in future editions of Prairie Hog Country. See details on page 48. Please only photos that are a positive reflection of the hog sector.
Looking ahead to the fall registration is now open for Alberta Livestock Expo and Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop and more details will be available soon for Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium, Prairie Livestock Expo and Banff Pork Seminar. Check out Pork Chops for all the latest details and contact information.
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. •