RDSTW
The 2024 Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at Westerner Park. Swine Tech is Alberta’s biggest technical seminar specifically aimed at furthering the practical, hands-on knowledge of producers and barn workers. Some of the topics included are: Weaning Age Impact; Water Line Disinfection; Advantages and Disadvantages on Different Group Sow Housing; Challenges of the TFWP; Advancing Swine Welfare Practices to Empower your Industry in addition a producer panel – The Good -the Bad and the Ugly of Renovations and much more.
Booth and attendee registrations NOW OPEN, link on Alberta Pork website at
albertapork.com.
Registration $99 each or 5 for $440 until September 24th. $110 each after September 24th. We hope to see you there!
For more details contact Rawya Selby at Alberta Pork at 780.474.8288 or email Rawya.Selby@albertapork.com •
Alberta Livestock Expo
Keep October 16th and 17th open for the Alberta Livestock Expo in Lethbridge. Booth sales are 95% sold out (as of press time).
Check out albertalivestockexpo.com for more details and sponsorship opportunities contact Chris at 204.509.4941 or email
chris@albertalivestockexpo.com
The 2024 Alberta Livestock Expo will feature the Pork Quality Competition, plus Pork, Dairy & Poultry session series on both days.
Chris has arranged a group rate at both the Holiday Inn Express SE and the Best Western Plus Service Inn & Suites. Contact the hotel direct to book, HI at 403.942.5856 or BW at 403.329.6844 ask for the Alberta Livestock Expo block group code “ALE” confirmation #255088 •
Aherne Awards
Do you know of an innovator who should be recognized? Someone who has developed an original solution to answer a pork production challenge? Or found a creative use of a known technology?
The Banff Pork Seminar is proud to offer a chance for you to “strut your stuff” as a technology innovator and show the rest of us how to put it into practice!
The Dr. FX Aherne Prize for Innovative Pork Production recognizes innovators involved in the pork industry who are making a difference by applying new technologies or management techniques.
Innovators can win valuable prizes and free registration to the 2025 Banff Pork Seminar, January 7-9; you’ll be recognized by your peers and the pork industry and have a chance to present your solution at the 2025 Banff Pork Seminar.
Please nominate yourself, or apply on behalf of an innovator that deserves to be recognized. Help us to find these innovators and encourage them to apply for the Dr. FX Aherne Prize for Innovative Pork Production.
Specifically, we are looking for innovators who are capable of taking a new research concept, a technology, or even a management concept and apply it successfully in the production of pork. Innovations may be related to, but are not limited to, one of the following areas: Productivity, Profitability, Working Conditions, Animal Well Being, Reduced Environmental Impact, Pork Quality and Safety.
Anyone who has developed a solution to a pork production challenge may enter. Innovations must be relevant to North American pork production but do not necessarily have to be currently in use in Canada at the time of application.
Application and more information will be available online at www.banffpork.ca. Applications must be received by October 31, 2024. Apply today! Please contact Conference Coordinator Ashely Steeple at
pork@ualberta.ca with questions. •
H@ms Fall Marketing Meetings
H@ms will be hosting their fall marketing meetings in three various locations in October and November.
Wednesday October 23rd, at the Coast Hotel in Swift Current, starting at noon with hot lunch served.
Wednesday October 30th, at Starbuck Community Hall, Starbuck MB. Starting at 3pm with a BBQ to follow.
Friday November 1st, at the Coast Hotel in Lethbridge, starting at noon with hot lunch served.
For more details or to preregister (RSVP by October 11th) for the meetings please contact Paisley Alford. 204.235.2221 or E: paisley@hams.ca •
Saskatchewan Pork Symposium
If marking your calendars for all the events in 2024, another one to pencil in is Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium. The two day event is planned for November 5th & 6th. More details will be available in the months and issues to come.
Registration opens August 15th.
Interested in sponsorship opportunities or an exhibitor booth at Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium? For more details contact Steve Seto at steve@saskpork.com .
A block of rooms will be reserved at the Saskatoon Inn & Conference Centre at 2002 Airport Drive. Call 1-800-667-8789 or book directly with the hotel at 306-242-1440.•
Alberta Pork AGM
Save the date, the Alberta Pork Annual General Meeting will take place Thursday November 28th. Details will be available once closer. •
Prairie Livestock Expo
Save the date, Prairie Livestock Expo will be held Wednesday December 11th at the Victoria Inn & Conference Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The one trade show will be open from 9am-6pm and will once again include a Pork Quality Competition.
On line registration will open early September. For information or more details contact Dallas Ballance at 204.782.0272 email
info@prairielivestockexpo.ca or check the website at prairielivestockexpo.ca
For details and information on or about the Pork Quality Competition contact Dennis Stevenson PH: 204.712.7133 or Email:
Dstevenson@PremierSHP.ca •
Banff Pork Seminar
Banff Pork Seminar will return to the Castle in the Rockies January 7th – 9th, 2025.
The committee is working hard on finalizing the agendas of breakouts sessions and keynote speakers.
Online registration will start in September.
A block of rooms are available at the Banff Springs Hotel for BPS2025 starting at $245/night plus taxes and fees for single occupancy. Space is limited so book early. Must book by December 1, 2024 to receive the special conference rates (while space is available). Reservations can be made through the Banff Pork Seminar website.
Latest updates are found on the website, banffpork.ca
For more information contact Ashley Steeple, Conference Coordinator, PH: 780.492.3651 or Email: pork@ualberta.ca •
Manitoba Swine Seminar
Save the date, the Manitoba Swine Seminar will be held February 5th & 6th 2025. More details will be available in the next edition. For more information contact Patti Clement at 204.981.8042 or
E: info@manitobaswineseminar.om
W: manitobaswineseminar.com •
Saskatchewan Livestock Expo
The 15th annual Saskatchewan Livestock Expo will take place Thursday February 20th, 2025 in Swift Current, SK. The one day show will be held at the Kinetic Exhibition Park, featuring a trade show, door prizes, silent and live auction and of course the Cramer Cup series.
Registration will be open soon, watch the next edition for more information.
Contact Doug Cramer 306.520.3553•
FCC More Bullish on Pork
Farm Credit Canada said the outlook for Canada’s hog producers has improved since its market analysis six months ago.
“While still under pressure, hog margins are now looking better than they were at the start of the year,: FCC said.
“Feed costs have fallen even faster than what we had anticipated back in January, with 2024 forecasts now tracking below the five-year average;”
But that’s all in comparison with tough times.
Hog slaughter in Eastern Canada is down by 6.6 per cent, mainly because Olymel closed down some facilities. That also spilled more Quebec hogs into Ontario where farmers turned to the United States to find packers willing to take their market-ready hogs.
Between January and April, more than 561,000 market hogs have gone to the U.S., an increase of 144,000 from the year before. “Although our 2024 outlook indicates Canada’s hog sector isn’t completely out of the woods yet, the year is breathing some life back into hog production,” FCC said.
Recent unprecedented population growth suggests there’ll be sustained support to further grow overall Canadian pork consumption in 2024, FCC said.
Consumers have turned to pork from beef where prices are hitting historic highs. •
— By Jim Romahn
Food Prices Rise
by 2.1 Per Cent
Statistics Canada measured a price increase of 2.1 per cent for food purchases in June, the second month of increases compared with the same time last year.
In May the increase was 1.5 per cent.
The overall inflation rate was 2.7 per cent, down from 2.9 per cent in May.
Gasoline prices were up by four-tenths of a per cent following an increase of 5.6 per cent in May. •
— By Jim Romahn
Celebrating One Year of Endorsement From FPT Ministers for Emergency Preparedness
Recently, the Ministers of Agriculture from across Canada met in Whitehorse, Yukon to collaborate on key areas of interest. It gave me, Colleen McElwain, Animal Health Canada Executive Director, a moment to reflect on this important milestone for our organization that happened one year ago this week. It was during this same meeting when those federal, provincial and territorial Ministers unanimously endorsed Animal Health Canada’s role in emergency preparedness and indicated support for continued investment in our work.
Since that announcement, Animal Health Canada (AHC) has continued to roll up its sleeves to create and support an unprecedented collaborative space for government and industry partners to achieve their shared animal health and welfare priorities.
Here are just a few things we have accomplished over the past year to enhance the emergency management capabilities of Canada’s livestock industry and advising on national animal health surveillance priorities and disease patterns.
We have created industry relevant resources to minimize the impacts of serious livestock diseases.
This includes 13 national frameworks and provincial association-level plans, nine sets of producer-level handbooks, emergency response protocols, factsheets, and producer workbooks for planning at the farm level, customized to each commodity and region
We offer training courses tailored to agriculture, including incident command system 100, mental health resiliency, emergency management, and an introduction to working with the media.
We have developed a template to support mutual aid agreements between partners to share Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) resources in an emergency.
The Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System (CAHSS) works closely to support the Canadian Swine Health Intelligence Network (CSHIN), and they have been working closely at creating topical resources for Canadian swine practitioners, including bi-annual national reports on influenza A in swine.
CAHSS is deepening its collaboration with the Emergency Management division to bolster surveillance capacity for animal health emergency scenarios, fostering increased partnership and preparedness across sectors and disciplines.
We will continue to bring together industry, federal, provincial and territorial partners to provide collaborative guidance on a cohesive, functional and responsive farmed animal health and welfare system in Canada. •
Genesus Announces Major Restructuring
Genesus, Canada’s sole swine genetic company, announces a strategic restructuring in response to industry consolidation and increased investment needs. Canada ZF Investments will acquire Genesus and its subsidiaries, forming Genesus Genetic Technologies to operate globally.
The swine genetic industry has seen dramatic changes, with major consolidation and increased capital requirements for genetic improvements. Genesus’ global competitors are often publicly traded or backed by substantial government funding. As the only privately owned global swine genetic company focused solely on swine genetics, Genesus is committed to maintaining its independence and advancing its genetic capabilities.
The acquisition by Canada ZF Investments will facilitate Genesus’ quest for enhanced genetic improvement and expanded market presence. The new entity, Genesus Genetic Technologies, will include existing shareholders, senior management, and colleagues from Genesus. Key leadership positions will be held by Jim Long as President and CEO, Mike Van Schepdael as Vice President, and Bob Kemp as Vice President.
Jim Long emphasized the company’s forward-looking approach, quoting Pope John Paul II, “Our future starts today, not tomorrow.” The restructured entity aims to continue providing genetics that ensure superior taste and performance in the swine industry. •
Canadian Pork Council Shares Good News
Almost 100 per cent of Canadian pigs are raised in compliance with the on-farm food safety practices under our PigSAFE program, reflecting widespread recognition of its importance among producers. The program is based on HACCP principles and has been reviewed and approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Food Safety Recognition Program. •
Government Funding Supports for Producers
The Canadian Pork Council and Ryan, a leading financial services firm, have partnered to provide information on government funding opportunities on a regular basis to producers and those who work in the sector. This includes key updates on both federal and provincial funding windows that provincial pork organizations like Manitoba Pork will share with its members on a regular basis.
One such program includes African Swine Fever Industry Preparedness Program. This program closes March 2025. Including prevention and preparedness – up to 60% of costs to a max on $1 million and welfare slaughter & disposal stream – up to 60% of costs to a max of $1 millon.
Complete details are available on the Government of Canada website
agriculture.canada.ca/en/programs/African-swine-fever-industry-preparedness-prevention-stream •
Plan Ventilation System Upfront
For Successful Swine Barn Project
Proper ventilation plays a critical role in providing an ideal environment in swine barns. Yet many times, it is left to the end of the planning process when designing a new barn or remodeling project, according to Mark Oberreuter, system design engineer for AP.
He says ventilation should instead be discussed at the outset of the process so that design plans can support the right ventilation system. “Producers tend to have initial conversations about what type of building will work best for the land they have and for their swine operation,” Oberreuter notes. “Most of the time that works, but sometimes the building design is great but not ideal for ventilation.”
He lists the following considerations when planning a swine barn project:
Fans – Building size and airflow requirements determine the number and size of fans needed for proper airflow, whether that is a single fan at the end of the building or multiple units spaced along the sidewall. The rule of thumb is that air entering from inlets should not have to travel more than 100 feet to reach a fan.
Manure pit fans – These fans have pros and cons. The advantage is that they bring warm air down through the slats, helping to dry them out as they exhaust air to the outside. The disadvantage is that producers have to keep an eye on them, as the fans collect animal waste and can be challenging to maintain.
Ceiling inlets – These inlets can be used year-round or just during colder months. Most are now actuated inlets, which automatically provide precise control and distribution of airflow as ventilation stages increase. Generally, inlets should be spaced no more than 20-25 feet down the length of the barn to achieve a good air distribution pattern.
Tunnel ventilation – This type of system creates high wind velocity across the length of the barn, providing additional cooling during excessive summer heat, especially for older animals. Whether tunnel ventilation is a good option depends on several factors, such as the number of animals and rooms, as well as the room dimensions. The barn location is also very important – for example, one that receives good winds versus one that’s situated in a valley.
Evaporative cooling system – This is the most popular cooling system, especially for sow operations, and involves running air through cooling pads. Determine the correct size for the evaporative cooling system based on the height and width of the building and number of fans.
Heaters – The number and type of heaters will be based on how many BTUs are required. That will depend on the number of animals, how much heat they produce, the size of rooms and the amount of insulation.
“Producers may not dive into all of the details of what their contractor is installing,” Oberreuter says. “I would just encourage them to ask questions about what ventilation system is being planned for the building and who has done background work to ensure it is the right equipment.” •
Pork Demand is Weakening
After turning in stellar performance last year, the Canadian pork market has been slowing down this year, reports market analyst Kevin Grier.
Last year pork consumption surged by 14 per cent to almost 23 kilograms per person, the most since 2015.
Demand increased by 10 per cent which is more than any year since 1984.
Supermarkets featured pork because beef and chicken prices increased. Pork prices only went up by one per cent last year.
Imports increased by 13 per cent, exports declined by six er cent.
So far this year, per capita consumption has declined, but prices remain steady.
Grier advises pork packers to keep a close watch on production, exports and consumer demand. •
— By Jim Romahn
Lean Hog Futures Firm on Technical Trade – CME
Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) lean hog futures ticked up on technical trading on recently, while cattle futures were mixed to lower, as Reuters reported, citing analysts.
Cattle futures were under pressure with little fresh news and lowering demand from consumers, said Karl Setzer, partner at Consus Ag Consulting.
Wholesale beef prices turned lower on the day, according to US Department of Agriculture data, which weighed on cattle futures.
The USDA reported Wednesday afternoon that the choice boxed beef cutout price was $312.68 per hundredweight (cwt), down $0.53 from a day earlier. Select cuts were down $2.70 at $293.96 per cwt.
“Boxed beef continues to erode, and as it does, it’s starting to put more pressure on the futures,” Setzer added.
Meanwhile, beef packers lost about $61.15 per head on Wednesday July 24th, a bigger loss than Tuesday the 23rd and more than double the $23.25 loss per head seen a week earlier, according to Denver-based livestock marketing advisory service HedgersEdge.com LLC.
The cash cattle market has seen limited trade so far this week (July 22nd-26th), with one trade reported in the Southern Plains on Tuesday at $187.00 per cwt, according to traders. Cash prices could ease in the next couple of weeks, traders said, particularly if packer margins continue to stay in the red.
Hogs traded higher on technical buying in a market that was oversold, said Setzer. Pork wholesale prices firmed.
“The pork cutouts are a little bit firmer here today, given that little bit of extra strength,” he said.
CME August feeders ended 1.625 cents lower at 257.125 cents per pound.
CME August lean hog futures settled up 1.250 cents at 93.775 cents per pound. October lean hog futures ended up 0.900 cent at 78.025 cents per pound. •
— with files from the Pig Site
Rob Hannam Featured at World Pork Expo
Rob Hannam of Guelph was in a feature interview during the World Pork Expo in Iowa recently, explaining how his Farm Health Guardian software helps biosecurity on hog farms.
Much of the interview was about tracking devices installed in brake lights on hog-hauling trailers so managers know exactly where the truck has been.
It also tracks washes so the managers know whether a truck is clean when it comes to their barn.
The software also tracks employees so managers know when they are moving from barn to barn and whether they have had two days between moving between hog-farming premises.
Hannam said that new clients are usually surprised after the first week of using Farm Health Guardian to find they have weaknesses identified in their biosecurity protocols. •
— By Jim Romahn
Beyond Meat Loses its Lustre
Beyond Meat, the darling of the United States investment community several years ago, wants relief from more than $1 billion in debt.
The Wall Street Journal reports the company is in negotiations with bondholders.
It also notes than in its last quarterly report, its cash reserves had declined to less than $175 million.
Beyond Meat made by far the biggest splash in the plant food launch of modern versions of vegetarian burgers.
Maple Leaf Foods was among large meat-packing companies that invested heavily in plant food protein production. •
— By Jim Romahn
Grocery Code of Practice Supported
Costco and Walmart Canada have finally agreed to a national code of practice for the grocery industry, but it fails to address scores of fees supermarkets charge suppliers.
Loblaws was also a holdout, saying it would not sign until Costco and Walmart do.
Now the code has support from all major supermarket chains and food suppliers.
The federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture have been pushing for a grocery industry code of practice for almost three years.
The Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct interim board of directors reported Costco and Walmart approvals to Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers while they were meeting this week.
The new code is expected to be implemented by June of next year.
The board needs to hire an adjudicator who would manage any disputes arising under the code, establish an office to oversee it, and educate people across the industry about the code’s requirements.
“This has been a long process, but we are now able to move forward to implementation which we believe will strengthen the relationship between all stakeholders involved and continue to provide Canadians with a healthy and robust food supply chain,” the board wrote in its report.
The code is designed to set guardrails for issues such as the fair allocation of product supply to independent grocers, as they attempt to compete with large players who have more market rules if the retailers did not sign on to the voluntary code.
“We all have been really focused on trying to get a voluntary code, because we highly believe that industry should be running this and not government,” said Michael Graydon, co-chair of the steering committee developing the code and chief executive officer of Food and Consumer Products of Canada, which represents manufacturers.
In the spring, Loblaw asked for changes and clarifications to some of the wording in the code, including a specification that grocers are entitled to reject requests for cost increases from suppliers, without it leading to such a dispute going before the code’s third-party adjudicator in an attempt to force their hand.
Loblaw also asked for more details on how dispute resolution would work, and how any future changes to the code would be made.
Loblaw is the nation’s largest supermarket company with many banners such as Zehrs, T&T, Independent , No Frills, Value Market and Superstore.
The code would not prevent retailers from charging the kinds of fees that have caused conflicts with suppliers in the past, and which are ongoing.
The Globe and Mail reports that on July 3, Sobeys sent a letter to some of the suppliers who deliver products directly to its stores, announcing a five per cent deduction that will apply to all their products starting on Sept. 2.
The letter, said the deduction would offset “billing and invoice management” expenses.
The change is ensuring consistent rates are charged to the subset of Sobeys’ suppliers who deliver direct to stores, said Sobeys spokesperson Karen White-Boswell wrote in an emailed statement. •
— By Jim Romahn
Denmark to Tax Livestock
Denmark is planning to tax cattle, pigs and sheep beginning in 2030 and increasing in 2035.
The tax will be $59 per ton of carbon emissions, rising to $147 in 2035.
The aim is to reduce animal-based carbon emissions by 70 per cent by 2030.
Methane traps 87 times as much heat as carbon dioxide, according to the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Denmark is the first country to announce a climate-saving tax on farm animals. •
— By Jim Romahn
