Alberta Pork Congress
Alberta Pork Congress will be held at Westerner Park in Red Deer June 11th & 12th.
Trade show hours: Wednesday June 11th 9am – 4:30pm and Thursday June 12th 9am – 2pm.
Social functions include: Exhibitor Swine & Cheese Tuesday June 10th on trade show floor 4-6pm. Wednesday June 11th the awards banquet reception starts at 5:30pm program and supper starts at 6:30pm. Thursday June 12th BBQ lunch served at 1:30pm. Be sure to order your lunch and banquet tickets as often sold out once trade show starts.
For more details and information contact Kate Kelly, at 403.542.7906 or email her at kate@albertaporkcongress.com •

RDSTW
The 2025 Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 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.
Watch for booth and guest registrations to open up this summer. 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 15th and 16th open for the Alberta Livestock Expo in Lethbridge. Trade show hours will be noon -5pm October 15th and 10am – 4pm October 16th held at the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre. Booth registration is now open.
Pork Quality Competition starts at 4pm Thursday October 16th.
Check out albertalivestockexpo.com for more details, or contact Chris at 204.509.4941 or email
chris@albertalivestockexpo.com •

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 2026 Banff Pork Seminar, January 6-8; you’ll be recognized by your peers and the pork industry and have a chance to present your solution at the 2026 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, 2025. Apply today! Please contact Conference Coordinator Ashely Steeple at pork@ualberta.ca with questions. •

Saskatchewan Pork Symposium
If marking your calendars for all the events in 2025, another one to pencil in is Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium. The two day event is planned for November 4th & 5th. More details will be available in the months and issues to come.
Interested in sponsorship opportunities or an exhibitor booth at Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium? For more details contact Steve Seto at steve@saskpork.com .•

Alberta Pork AGM
Save the date, the Alberta Pork Annual General Meeting will take place Thursday November 20th. Details will be available once closer. •

Banff Pork Seminar
For those that plan ahead, save the date for Banff Pork Seminar 2026, taking place January 6th -8th at the Castle in the Rockies the Banff Springs Hotel.
Most current details are available on the website banffpork.ca
The block of rooms at the Banff Springs will open in later this month, •

Futures Markets, Hedging Disrupted by Tariffs
The new round of tariffs is making it more challenging, if not impossible, to do futures marketing and hedging for Canadian farmers, according to a detailed report by agricultural economist Al Mussell of Agri-Food Economic Systems.

Because United States President has been erratic in his announcement and imposition of tariffs, it’s difficult to know the impact on Canadian prices next week, month or year.
It’s also difficult to know whether commodities could actually cross the border to fulfill contracts
And it is not only U.S. tariffs on Canadian commodities that impact Canadian prices.
Mussell provides the example of China’s tariff on U.S. pork which has stopped exports of offal to China.
The offals are being rendered instead and at lower returns, so U.S. hog prices are depressed.
But Canadian pricing is, in most instances for pigs, linked to the U.S. price, so Canadian hog prices have been pressured lower.
Mussell writes that It would be challenging to establish a Canadian futures market for commodities other than the grains and canola already trading on the Winnipeg exchange.
He said farmers and food companies that rely on hedging and contracts will need to wait to see how traders work out a system to deal with the new challenges surrounding the global trade war. •
— By Jim Romahn

Animal Welfare Top Priority
According to MERCK’s 2024 Consumer Transparency and Traceability research, 72 per cent of consumers consider veterinary oversight, proper nutrition, and human handling extremely or very important when purchasing meat. Canadian pork producers are ahead of the curve.
Through CPC’s animal welfare programs such as PigLEARN, PigTRACE, and PigCARE, farmers ensure pigs receive:
-Veterinary care
-Proper nutrition
-Ethical handling and transport
Following these practices not only promotes animal health, but also meets growing consumer expectations for transparency and responsible farming. •

China Tariff War Hits Farmers Hard
Back in April China had imposed tariffs of 56 per cent on beef and 81 per cent on pork, so United States President has slammed back with a 104 per cent tariff on everything from China.
And that prompted China to retaliate with an 84 per cent tariff on everything from the U.S. And to file a second appeal to the World Trade Organization.
Canadian farmers are likely to feel the impacts.
China might buy pork and beef from Canada instead, but because the U.S. faces such high tariffs to export to China, its pork and beef prices will probably decline, and Canadian prices track U.S. prices.
China had hit U.S. corn with a 15 per cent tariff and soybeans with 60 per cent, but those now apparently increase to 84 per cent.
While China could buy Canadian canola instead of U.S. soybeans, it has put a tariff on canola oil and meal in response to Canada’s 100 per cent tariff on China’s electric vehicles. The Canadian car tariff matches on the U.S. imposed and keeps Canada from becoming a back door for China to sell the cars to the U.S.
China also hit Canadian pork with a 25 per cent tariff related to Canada’s cars tariff.
Trump’s tariff moves are facing increasing opposition from within the U.S. and consternation around the world. •
— By Jim Romahn

Heat-treating Hog Trucks Ineffective
Heat-treating trucks and trailers is not as effective as washing and disinfecting to get rid of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, a new Iowa State University study reported.
Funded through the Swine Health Information Center’s (SHIC) Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Research Program, in collaboration with the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and the Pork Checkoff, the study compared several trailer cleaning strategies. Researchers evaluated an untreated positive and negative control, alongside three cleaning methods:

  • Dry scrape and bake followed by heat treatment
  • Volume hose flush with disinfectant
  • Power wash with disinfectant
    According to SHIC Executive Director Dr. Megan Niederwerder, both the volume hose and power wash methods reduced viral contamination by more than 99 per cent and completely inactivated PEDv.
    The scrape and bake method did reduce the viral load but failed to inactivate the virus. •
    — By Jim Romahn

Packers Plead for Help
The Canadian Meat Council is pleading for federal help to survive the 25 per cent tariffs
China has Imposed on Canadian pork.
It said some packers will be forced out of business and losses for some could be $100 million.
The tariffs are in response to Canada’s 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electrical vehicles, a move that matched the U.S. tariff on the Chinese-made cars. China also tariffed Canadian canola oil and meal (but not seed) and peas.
To date, the support measures such as those announced through the AgriStability program have been “wholly inadequate and inapplicable to processors, who are not eligible for this form of assistance,” the council said.
Then Agriculture Minister Kody Blois increased the AgriStability compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and doubled the cap from $1.5 to $3 million.
The Canadian Meat Council wants “direct, targeted financial support” for meat processors.
Some packers are projecting losses of more than $100 million this year, the council said. •
— By Jim Romahn

Mexico Buying More U.S. food
Mexico is likely to surpass Canada as the biggest importer of United States agriculture products, predicts CoBank.
Last year it bought $31.4 billion, slightly below Canada at $32.4 billion.

On a volume basis, corn, pork, dairy products, soybeans and poultry products make up the top five U.S. commodities purchased by Mexico, according to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
At $13.9 billion, grain, feed, oilseeds and related products comprise the largest category of U.S. ag exports to Mexico.
“The rise of Mexico as a customer has been a huge success story for U.S. agriculture,” said Rob Fox, director of CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange.
According to a new research brief from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, Mexico will likely surpass Canada to claim the top spot for the first time in 2025. •
— By Jim Romahn

Alberta Market Hog Data now Published
Alberta Pork is committed to building a trusted and competitive pork industry through transparency and cooperation. The Alberta Market Hog Settlement Data will be published every week. It started back on May 21. This data will appear in the Alberta Pork Weekly Report and on the Alberta Pork website.
The release of this information is a significant step forward for the industry. It reflects strong collaboration between Alberta Pork and federally inspected processors who handle Alberta hogs across Western Canada. This partnership has made it possible to collect and share valuable market data with producers and stakeholders.
Achieving this milestone involved the dedicated support of government leaders, especially Minister Nate Horner. During his tenure as agriculture minister, he worked closely with the industry to secure backing for necessary regulatory changes. Additionally, Minister RJ Sigurdson and his team played an important role in helping meet the requirements to gather and publish this data.
To protect the confidentiality of both processors and producers, Alberta Pork carefully aggregates the settlement data based on settlement periods. This approach ensures that individual details remain private while providing useful market information to the wider community.
By making the Alberta Market Hog Settlement Data publicly available, Alberta Pork promotes market transparency and supports better decision-making for producers and processors alike. The weekly publication will enhance trust within the pork industry and help maintain its competitiveness in the market.
Overall, this initiative represents an important advancement in the ongoing effort to improve communication and cooperation across Alberta’s pork sector. It offers producers timely access to relevant market information while respecting privacy.
Alberta Pork looks forward to continuing its work with government and industry partners to foster a strong and transparent pork market in Western Canada. •

Assiniboine College Butchery Competition
Back on May 12, The Food Processing Centre for Animal Proteins at Russ Edwards School of Agriculture at Assiniboine College in Brandon played host to it’s inaugural butchery competition, sponsored by Manitoba Pork. Four top-in-class students were selected to compete for two cash prizes, one of $1,200 and one of $800. Each participant received a whole pork loin – the goal was to break down the pork loin into four cuts (sirloin, short loin, rib and tenderloin) in 10 minutes, and then prepare at least three value-added products within 35 minutes. Judges, all representing industry, were on-hand using criteria including safety, hygiene, cutting techniques, time management, carcass utilization, creativity and the visual appeal of their final products.
While in the state-of-the art lab, judges and Manitoba Pork staff walked the floor to see the competitors’ knife skills in action while friends and family members looked on in amazement as the clock was counting down.
A big congratulations to Adrian Fernandez Albarren and Carol Chou who took home the first and second prize, respectively. In a testament to how valuable the program is to the sector, both winners had standing job offers from Maple Leaf Foods in Brandon prior to the competition. •

Maple Leaf Sales Surge, Profits Steady

Maple Leaf Foods reported first-quarter sales of $1.24 billion, an 8.2 per cent increase from the same period last year and profits of $50 million compared with $52 million last year.
Shareholders are scheduled to vote June 11 on the proposal to spin off hog production and slaughter into a new company called Canada Packers.
Sales rose across key divisions: pork by 12 per cent, prepared foods by 7.1 per cent, poultry by six per cent. It did not say how its plant-based protein foods division, Greenleaf Foods, fared. •
— By Jim Romahn

Funding Now Available: SCAP Value-Added Programs
Applications are now open for the On-Farm Value Added Program and the Value-Added Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP). These grants support Alberta producers and processors with projects in:
Processing Capacity Expansion
Food Safety Improvements
New Product & Process Development
Market Development & Access
Cost-shared funding is available for both capital (25% grant) and non-capital (50% grant) expenses. Programs will remain open until all funds are allocated. Now is the time to invest in your farm or processing operation’s future. Take advantage of these targeted programs before funds run out!
On-Farm Value Added Program
Value-Added Program
Any Questions? Contact Charlotte Shipp, Industry Programs Managerat 780-491-3528 or charlotte.shipp@albertapork.com. •


Counselling Alberta Reaches Out To Farmers in Distress in an Impactful
New Campaign
A new campaign for Counselling Alberta is shedding light on the increasing struggle facing farming families in Alberta. Isolation, weather uncertainty and volatile commodity prices add to the 24/7 pressure of farming, which has led to a staggering increase in burnout, anxiety, and unfortunately, thoughts of suicide. Strikingly, recent research out of Guelph University shows that today, 1 in 4 farmers feel life isn’t worth living*.
This insight is at the heart of a campaign created by C&B Advertising, Counselling Alberta’s agency, spanning TV, radio, print, and digital. The creative is anchored by a stark video called “Mileage”, which shows a farmer seemingly about to start his day, only to reveal he’s chosen to make it his last day. The rest of the campaign sheds light on the 1 in 4 statistic, while asking farmers to overcome their stoic nature and reach out for confidential, affordable counselling with no waitlist through Counselling Alberta and their team of farm-informed counsellors.
“When even one farmer feels like life isn’t worth living, we need to pay attention. Farmers are incredibly strong and resilient—but that doesn’t mean they should shoulder stress alone. The goal of this campaign is simple: to reach farmers where they are, speak honestly about the toll of stress, and show that help is available—right now, and without barriers.”– Dr. Robbie Babins-Wagner, CEO of Counselling Alberta
The campaign will be running through to the end of May, supported by a media buy focussed on print and digital placements with Glacier Farm Media and Alberta Farmer Express; video with Global TV; and radio via various stations in rural Alberta, ensuring the message reaches a rural Albertan audience.
Counselling Alberta is a new rural-focused division Calgary Counselling Centre. For over 60 years, Calgary Counselling Centre (CCC) has delivered counselling services within Calgary with no waitlist and a sliding fee scale based on clients’ ability to pay. These services have since expanded to all Albertans with the launch of Counselling Alberta. CCC now provides virtual and in-person counselling across the province to help address the growing need for mental health services in the province and improve access, especially in rural areas. •

Alberta Pork Launches New Campaign Think Pink
Alberta Pork is trying to get the word out, to Think Pink. As per Darcy Fitzgerald it was the idea of the new Communications Manager for Alberta Pork, Jo-Anne Beaulieu.
A great opportunity to remind consumers from far and wide that it is OK to have “pink” pork. It tastes better when it’s juicy, with a hint of pink in the middle. Alberta Pork advised to use a meat thermometer, to achieve the internal temperature of 150 -155º F, then allowing meat to rest for 3-5 minutes..
Ideal internal temperatures for specific level of cooked are: Medium Rare -63-66ºC (145-150ºF); Medium 66-68ºC (150-155ºF); Medium Well 68-71ºC (155-160ºF).
Kudos to Alberta Pork for trying to get the message out. •

Red Meat Sector Welcomes Resumption of Parliament; Urges Swift Action on
Economic Priorities
With the resumption of Parliament under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Carney, the Canadian Meat Council (CMC) welcomes the government’s renewed focus on speed, efficiency, and economic performance. Representing Canada’s red meat processing sector—an industry that contributed over $9.4 billion in exports and supported almost 200,000 jobs in 2024—CMC urges the federal government to act quickly on key files that will unlock growth, create jobs, and strengthen food security.
“Canada’s red meat sector is uniquely positioned to help the government achieve its economic and trade objectives,” said Chris White, President and CEO, CMC, Canada Pork. “With targeted support on labour, trade, and regulatory modernization, we can contribute to GDP growth, export performance, and rural economic development.”

  • Trade & Market Access: With over half of our products destined for export, restoring full access to China for beef and pork remains urgent. The Canadian red meat industry is launching the Canadian Meat Advocacy Office (CMAO) based in Beijing, China, and is fully funded by industry exporters. The CMAO signals our readiness to grow and strengthen Canada’s competitiveness in the Chinese market. We also call for swift resolution of issues with the U.S. and EU, and expanded access to Southeast Asia and Latin America.
  • Alberta Pork
  • Congress
  • Alberta Pork Congress will be held at Westerner Park in Red Deer June 11th & 12th.
  • Trade show hours: Wednesday June 11th 9am – 4:30pm and Thursday June 12th 9am – 2pm.
  • Social functions include: Exhibitor Swine & Cheese Tuesday June 10th on trade show floor 4-6pm. Wednesday June 11th the awards banquet reception starts at 5:30pm program and supper starts at 6:30pm. Thursday June 12th BBQ lunch served at 1:30pm. Be sure to order your lunch and banquet tickets as often sold out once trade show starts.
  • For more details and information contact Kate Kelly, at 403.542.7906 or email her at kate@albertaporkcongress.com •
  • RDSTW
  • The 2025 Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 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.
  • Watch for booth and guest registrations to open up this summer. 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 15th and 16th open for the Alberta Livestock Expo in Lethbridge. Trade show hours will be noon -5pm October 15th and 10am – 4pm October 16th held at the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre. Booth registration is now open.
  • Pork Quality Competition starts at 4pm Thursday October 16th.
  • Check out albertalivestockexpo.com for more details, or contact Chris at 204.509.4941 or email
  • chris@albertalivestockexpo.com •
  • 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 2026 Banff Pork Seminar, January 6-8; you’ll be recognized by your peers and the pork industry and have a chance to present your solution at the 2026 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, 2025. Apply today! Please contact Conference Coordinator Ashely Steeple at pork@ualberta.ca with questions. •
  • Saskatchewan Pork Symposium
  • If marking your calendars for all the events in 2025, another one to pencil in is Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium. The two day event is planned for November 4th & 5th. More details will be available in the months and issues to come.
  • Interested in sponsorship opportunities or an exhibitor booth at Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium? For more details contact Steve Seto at steve@saskpork.com .•
  • Alberta Pork AGM
  • Save the date, the Alberta Pork Annual General Meeting will take place Thursday November 20th. Details will be available once closer. •
  • Banff Pork Seminar
  • For those that plan ahead, save the date for Banff Pork Seminar 2026, taking place January 6th -8th at the Castle in the Rockies the Banff Springs Hotel.
  • Most current details are available on the website banffpork.ca
  • The block of rooms at the Banff Springs will open in later this month, •
  • Futures Markets,
  • Hedging Disrupted by Tariffs
  • The new round of tariffs is making it more challenging, if not impossible, to do futures marketing and hedging for Canadian farmers, according to a detailed report by agricultural economist Al Mussell of Agri-Food Economic Systems.
  • — Pork Chops continued on page 51
  • — Pork Chops continued from page 50
  • Because United States President has been erratic in his announcement and imposition of tariffs, it’s difficult to know the impact on Canadian prices next week, month or year.
  • It’s also difficult to know whether commodities could actually cross the border to fulfill contracts.
  • And it is not only U.S. tariffs on Canadian commodities that impact Canadian prices.
  • Mussell provides the example of China’s tariff on U.S. pork which has stopped exports of offal to China.
  • The offals are being rendered instead and at lower returns, so U.S. hog prices are depressed.
  • But Canadian pricing is, in most instances for pigs, linked to the U.S. price, so Canadian hog prices have been pressured lower.
  • Mussell writes that It would be challenging to establish a Canadian futures market for commodities other than the grains and canola already trading on the Winnipeg exchange.
  • He said farmers and food companies that rely on hedging and contracts will need to wait to see how traders work out a system to deal with the new challenges surrounding the global trade war. •
  • — By Jim Romahn
  • Animal Welfare
  • Top Priority
  • According to MERCK’s 2024 Consumer Transparency and Traceability research, 72 per cent of consumers consider veterinary oversight, proper nutrition, and human handling extremely or very important when purchasing meat. Canadian pork producers are ahead of the curve.
  • Through CPC’s animal welfare programs such as PigLEARN, PigTRACE, and PigCARE, farmers ensure pigs receive:
  • -Veterinary care
  • -Proper nutrition
  • -Ethical handling and transport
  • Following these practices not only promotes animal health, but also meets growing consumer expectations for transparency and responsible farming. •
  • China Tariff War Hits Farmers Hard
  • Back in April China had imposed tariffs of 56 per cent on beef and 81 per cent on pork, so United States President has slammed back with a 104 per cent tariff on everything from China.
  • And that prompted China to retaliate with an 84 per cent tariff on everything from the U.S. And to file a second appeal to the World Trade Organization.
  • Canadian farmers are likely to feel the impacts.
  • China might buy pork and beef from Canada instead, but because the U.S. faces such high tariffs to export to China, its pork and beef prices will probably decline, and Canadian prices track U.S. prices.
  • China had hit U.S. corn with a 15 per cent tariff and soybeans with 60 per cent, but those now apparently increase to 84 per cent.
  • While China could buy Canadian canola instead of U.S. soybeans, it has put a tariff on canola oil and meal in response to Canada’s 100 per cent tariff on China’s electric vehicles. The Canadian car tariff matches on the U.S. imposed and keeps Canada from becoming a back door for China to sell the cars to the U.S.
  • China also hit Canadian pork with a 25 per cent tariff related to Canada’s cars tariff.
  • Trump’s tariff moves are facing increasing opposition from within the U.S. and consternation around the world. •
  • — By Jim Romahn
  • Heat-treating Hog Trucks Ineffective
  • Heat-treating trucks and trailers is not as effective as washing and disinfecting to get rid of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, a new Iowa State University study reported.
  • Funded through the Swine Health Information Center’s (SHIC) Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Research Program, in collaboration with the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and the Pork Checkoff, the study compared several trailer cleaning strategies. Researchers evaluated an untreated positive and negative control, alongside three cleaning methods:
  • Dry scrape and bake followed by heat treatment
  • Volume hose flush with disinfectant
  • Power wash with disinfectant
    According to SHIC Executive Director Dr. Megan Niederwerder, both the volume hose and power wash methods reduced viral contamination by more than 99 per cent and completely inactivated PEDv.
    The scrape and bake method did reduce the viral load but failed to inactivate the virus. •
    — By Jim Romahn
  • Packers Plead for Help
  • The Canadian Meat Council is pleading for federal help to survive the 25 per cent tariffs
  • China has Imposed on Canadian pork.
  • It said some packers will be forced out of business and losses for some could be $100 million.
  • The tariffs are in response to Canada’s 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electrical vehicles, a move that matched the U.S. tariff on the Chinese-made cars. China also tariffed Canadian canola oil and meal (but not seed) and peas.
  • To date, the support measures such as those announced through the AgriStability program have been “wholly inadequate and inapplicable to processors, who are not eligible for this form of assistance,” the council said.
  • Then Agriculture Minister Kody Blois increased the AgriStability compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and doubled the cap from $1.5 to $3 million.
  • The Canadian Meat Council wants “direct, targeted financial support” for meat processors.
  • Some packers are projecting losses of more than $100 million this year, the council said. •
  • — By Jim Romahn
  • Mexico Buying More U.S. food
  • Mexico is likely to surpass Canada as the biggest importer of United States agriculture products, predicts CoBank.
  • Last year it bought $31.4 billion, slightly below Canada at $32.4 billion.
  • — Pork Chops continued on page 52
  • — Pork Chops continued from page 51
  • On a volume basis, corn, pork, dairy products, soybeans and poultry products make up the top five U.S. commodities purchased by Mexico, according to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
  • At $13.9 billion, grain, feed, oilseeds and related products comprise the largest category of U.S. ag exports to Mexico.
  • “The rise of Mexico as a customer has been a huge success story for U.S. agriculture,” said Rob Fox, director of CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange.
  • According to a new research brief from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, Mexico will likely surpass Canada to claim the top spot for the first time in 2025. •
  • — By Jim Romahn
  • Alberta Market Hog Data now Published
  • Alberta Pork is committed to building a trusted and competitive pork industry through transparency and cooperation. The Alberta Market Hog Settlement Data will be published every week. It started back on May 21. This data will appear in the Alberta Pork Weekly Report and on the Alberta Pork website.
  • The release of this information is a significant step forward for the industry. It reflects strong collaboration between Alberta Pork and federally inspected processors who handle Alberta hogs across Western Canada. This partnership has made it possible to collect and share valuable market data with producers and stakeholders.
  • Achieving this milestone involved the dedicated support of government leaders, especially Minister Nate Horner. During his tenure as agriculture minister, he worked closely with the industry to secure backing for necessary regulatory changes. Additionally, Minister RJ Sigurdson and his team played an important role in helping meet the requirements to gather and publish this data.
  • To protect the confidentiality of both processors and producers, Alberta Pork carefully aggregates the settlement data based on settlement periods. This approach ensures that individual details remain private while providing useful market information to the wider community.
  • By making the Alberta Market Hog Settlement Data publicly available, Alberta Pork promotes market transparency and supports better decision-making for producers and processors alike. The weekly publication will enhance trust within the pork industry and help maintain its competitiveness in the market.
  • Overall, this initiative represents an important advancement in the ongoing effort to improve communication and cooperation across Alberta’s pork sector. It offers producers timely access to relevant market information while respecting privacy.
  • Alberta Pork looks forward to continuing its work with government and industry partners to foster a strong and transparent pork market in Western Canada. •
  • Assiniboine College Butchery Competition
  • Back on May 12, The Food Processing Centre for Animal Proteins at Russ Edwards School of Agriculture at Assiniboine College in Brandon played host to it’s inaugural butchery competition, sponsored by Manitoba Pork. Four top-in-class students were selected to compete for two cash prizes, one of $1,200 and one of $800. Each participant received a whole pork loin – the goal was to break down the pork loin into four cuts (sirloin, short loin, rib and tenderloin) in 10 minutes, and then prepare at least three value-added products within 35 minutes. Judges, all representing industry, were on-hand using criteria including safety, hygiene, cutting techniques, time management, carcass utilization, creativity and the visual appeal of their final products.
  • While in the state-of-the art lab, judges and Manitoba Pork staff walked the floor to see the competitors’ knife skills in action while friends and family members looked on in amazement as the clock was counting down.
  • A big congratulations to Adrian Fernandez Albarren and Carol Chou who took home the first and second prize, respectively. In a testament to how valuable the program is to the sector, both winners had standing job offers from Maple Leaf Foods in Brandon prior to the competition. •
  • Maple Leaf Sales Surge, Profits Steady
  • Maple Leaf Foods reported first-quarter sales of $1.24 billion, an 8.2 per cent increase from the same period last year and profits of $50 million compared with $52 million last year.
  • Shareholders are scheduled to vote June 11 on the proposal to spin off hog production and slaughter into a new company called Canada Packers.
  • Sales rose across key divisions: pork by 12 per cent, prepared foods by 7.1 per cent, poultry by six per cent. It did not say how its plant-based protein foods division, Greenleaf Foods, fared. •
  • — By Jim Romahn
  • Funding Now
  • Available: SCAP Value-Added Programs
  • Applications are now open for the On-Farm Value Added Program and the Value-Added Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP). These grants support Alberta producers and processors with projects in:
  • Processing Capacity Expansion
  • Food Safety Improvements
  • New Product & Process Development
  • Market Development & Access
  • Cost-shared funding is available for both capital (25% grant) and non-capital (50% grant) expenses. Programs will remain open until all funds are allocated. Now is the time to invest in your farm or processing operation’s future. Take advantage of these targeted programs before funds run out!
  • On-Farm Value Added Program
  • Value-Added Program
  • Any Questions? Contact Charlotte Shipp, Industry Programs Managerat 780-491-3528 or charlotte.shipp@albertapork.com. •
  • — Pork Chops continued on page 53
  • — Pork Chops continued from page 52
  • Counselling Alberta Reaches Out To Farmers in Distress
  • in an Impactful
  • New Campaign
  • A new campaign for Counselling Alberta is shedding light on the increasing struggle facing farming families in Alberta. Isolation, weather uncertainty and volatile commodity prices add to the 24/7 pressure of farming, which has led to a staggering increase in burnout, anxiety, and unfortunately, thoughts of suicide. Strikingly, recent research out of Guelph University shows that today, 1 in 4 farmers feel life isn’t worth living*.
  • This insight is at the heart of a campaign created by C&B Advertising, Counselling Alberta’s agency, spanning TV, radio, print, and digital. The creative is anchored by a stark video called “Mileage”, which shows a farmer seemingly about to start his day, only to reveal he’s chosen to make it his last day. The rest of the campaign sheds light on the 1 in 4 statistic, while asking farmers to overcome their stoic nature and reach out for confidential, affordable counselling with no waitlist through Counselling Alberta and their team of farm-informed counsellors.
  • “When even one farmer feels like life isn’t worth living, we need to pay attention. Farmers are incredibly strong and resilient—but that doesn’t mean they should shoulder stress alone. The goal of this campaign is simple: to reach farmers where they are, speak honestly about the toll of stress, and show that help is available—right now, and without barriers.”– Dr. Robbie Babins-Wagner, CEO of Counselling Alberta
  • The campaign will be running through to the end of May, supported by a media buy focussed on print and digital placements with Glacier Farm Media and Alberta Farmer Express; video with Global TV; and radio via various stations in rural Alberta, ensuring the message reaches a rural Albertan audience.
  • Counselling Alberta is a new rural-focused division Calgary Counselling Centre. For over 60 years, Calgary Counselling Centre (CCC) has delivered counselling services within Calgary with no waitlist and a sliding fee scale based on clients’ ability to pay. These services have since expanded to all Albertans with the launch of Counselling Alberta. CCC now provides virtual and in-person counselling across the province to help address the growing need for mental health services in the province and improve access, especially in rural areas. •
  • Alberta Pork Launches New Campaign
  • Think Pink
  • Alberta Pork is trying to get the word out, to Think Pink. As per Darcy Fitzgerald it was the idea of the new Communications Manager for Alberta Pork, Jo-Anne Beaulieu.
  • A great opportunity to remind consumers from far and wide that it is OK to have “pink” pork. It tastes better when it’s juicy, with a hint of pink in the middle. Alberta Pork advised to use a meat thermometer, to achieve the internal temperature of 150 -155º F, then allowing meat to rest for 3-5 minutes..
  • Ideal internal temperatures for specific level of cooked are: Medium Rare -63-66ºC (145-150ºF); Medium 66-68ºC (150-155ºF); Medium Well 68-71ºC (155-160ºF).
  • Kudos to Alberta Pork for trying to get the message out. •
  • Red Meat Sector
  • Welcomes
  • Resumption of
  • Parliament; Urges Swift Action on
  • Economic Priorities
  • With the resumption of Parliament under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Carney, the Canadian Meat Council (CMC) welcomes the government’s renewed focus on speed, efficiency, and economic performance. Representing Canada’s red meat processing sector—an industry that contributed over $9.4 billion in exports and supported almost 200,000 jobs in 2024—CMC urges the federal government to act quickly on key files that will unlock growth, create jobs, and strengthen food security.
  • “Canada’s red meat sector is uniquely positioned to help the government achieve its economic and trade objectives,” said Chris White, President and CEO, CMC, Canada Pork. “With targeted support on labour, trade, and regulatory modernization, we can contribute to GDP growth, export performance, and rural economic development.”
  • Trade & Market Access: With over half of our products destined for export, restoring full access to China for beef and pork remains urgent. The Canadian red meat industry is launching the Canadian Meat Advocacy Office (CMAO) based in Beijing, China, and is fully funded by industry exporters. The CMAO signals our readiness to grow and strengthen Canada’s competitiveness in the Chinese market. We also call for swift resolution of issues with the U.S. and EU, and expanded access to Southeast Asia and Latin America.
  • Labour & Immigration Reform: Labour shortages are limiting growth across the industry’s entire supply chain. We urge the creation of a Federal Food Security Immigration Stream, and a more responsive Temporary Foreign Worker Program tailored to the year-round needs of rural agri-food operations.
  • Regulatory Efficiency: Align feed ban rules with the U.S., streamline CFIA inspection practices, and adopt digital tools such as AI inspections and e-certification to improve efficiency and boost exports.
  • Supply Chain Stability: To protect trade and food security, we need a policy framework that ensures uninterrupted food supply during labour disruptions, while respecting workers’ rights.
  • Animal Health Preparedness: We call for faster deployment of support for Foot and Mouth Disease and African Swine Fever, along with stronger investments in biosecurity and rapid disease detection at borders.
    “CMC is aligned with the government’s vision for a faster, more resilient, and export-driven economy,” said Chris White. “Our sector is not only ready to contribute, but is actively driving innovation, investment, and job creation across the country. We recognize the urgency of the moment and the opportunity it presents, and we look forward to working in close partnership with policymakers to deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for businesses, communities, and the broader economy.” •

Tyson Bids for Sunterra’s Farms
Announced on May 16th, the court-appointed receiver for bankrupt Sunterra hog operations in South Dakota is proposing to sell them to The Pork Group, a subsidiary of Tyson Foods.
The $12-million bid includes sow farms, finishers, equipment, and support structures.
Compeer Financial has sued Sunterra for $36 million, alleging it committed fraud through forged financial statements and inflated sow numbers.
The receivership and liquidation come after a federal judge froze assets linked to the alleged fraud scheme, citing serious financial misrepresentation and breached loan covenants. The operations were originally run under a network that included links to the Sunterra Group, a Canadian-based pork company with U.S. production ties. •
— By Jim Romahn

Sunterra Pushing Back
Sunterra Group is trying to push its counterclaims against Midwestern farm cooperative which has claimed Sunterra of improper financial transfers.
As a result, Sunterra Quality Food Markets, Sunterra Food Corporation, Sunterra Farms, Trochu Meat Processors and Sunwold Farms frilled for bankruptcy protection from creditors, Midwestern being the main one.
The case involves Sunterra’s U.S.-based subsidiaries, which managed farrow-to-finish operations across multiple states. At the heart of the legal proceedings are claims surrounding fund transfers between entities and the use of livestock as collateral in a lending agreement.
In its defense, Sunterra has argued that the lender not only had full visibility into the financial operations in question but also participated in structuring those transactions. The company maintains that its actions were transparent and within the scope of its operational agreements.
Meanwhile, a court-appointed receiver continues to oversee day-to-day management of the farms and has proposed selling key assets—including pigs, equipment, and lease agreements—to a third-party buyer. Sunterra has expressed concerns about the proposed sale, questioning whether proper due diligence has been conducted and whether the proposed value reflects a fair market assessment.
A federal court hearing is scheduled for May 29 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where decisions will be made regarding the asset sale and the motion to dismiss the counterclaims. •
— By Jim Romahn