RDSTW
The 2025 Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop will take place 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.
Some of the agenda topics are: Ventilation and What to Look For, “The Quadrant”, Sow Productivity & Grow Finish Optimization, Managing Sow Mortality in Group Housing, What to Do When a Disaster Happens, On-Farm Postmortems with Vet Support and A Day in the Life of a Slaughter Plant.
Registrations available at the door for $110/each.
For more details contact Rawya Selby at Alberta Pork at 780.474.8288 or email Rawya.Selby@albertapork.com •
Alberta Livestock Expo
The upcoming 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. As of press deadline Booth registration is 85% sold out.
Pork Quality Competition starts at 4pm Thursday October 16th.
Chris has arranged a partner hotel, Holiday Inn Lethbridge, rooms starting at $119. Call hotel directly at 403.380.5050 and request the Alberta Livestock Expo Block – code ALE.
Check out albertalivestockexpo.com for more details, or contact Chris at 204.509.4941 or email chris@albertalivestockexpo.com •
Alberta Pork Congress AGM
Alberta Pork Congress Annual General Meeting will take place virtually on Friday October 31st at 9am. Following the short meeting, will be the first opportunity to book your booth at the 2026 Alberta Pork Congress via online link.
Watch your inbox for more details.
Contact Kate Kelly for more information at 403.542.7901 or email
kate@albertaporkcongress.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. •
H@ms Fall Marketing Meetings
H@ms will be hosting their fall marketing meetings in three various locations in October.
Wednesday October 22nd, at the Coast Hotel in Swift Current, starting at noon with hot lunch served.
Tuesday October 28th, at Travel Lodge, Strathmore, starting at noon with hot lunch served .
Tuesday October 30th, at the Oakville Community Centre in Oakville, starting at 3pm with a BBQ to follow.
For more details or to preregister (RSVP by October 10th) 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 2025, another one to pencil in is Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium. The two day event is planned for November 4th & 5th.
Key Note speakers to include Brett Stuart and motivational speaker Chris Koch.
Online registrations is open at saskpork.com
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.•
Manitoba Pork Fall Meetings
Manitoba Pork will hold their fall producer meetings in November. Wednesday November 12th at the Niverville Heritage Centre and Thursday November 13th in Portage la Prairie at the Canad Inns
Online registration now open, you must register in advance. Lunch will be served prior to the Niverville meeting, with dinner to follow the Portage la Prairie meeting. •
Alberta Pork AGM
Save the date, the Alberta Pork Annual General Meeting will take place Thursday November 20th in Calgary.
Meeting will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Calgary North (2120 16th Avenue NE).
Invitations, agenda, and speakers will be available once closer. •
Brandon Hog & Poultry Show
Mark Tuesday December 9th down for the newly rebranded Brandon Hog & Poultry Show. The one day sold out trade show will be at the Keystone Centre starting at 8:30am.
With door prizes, free admission and a catered lunch. Award presentations for the Pork Quality, Nest Egg Run and Baking Competition will begin at 4:30 pm. Followed by the sale of champions.
The rebranded show has been taken over by Doug Cramer, of Cramer Event Management. More details on the website
cramereventmanagement.com or email doug at cramerexpomgmt@gmail.com or call 306.520.3553.
Host hotel is Canad Inns, rooms start at $159. Call hotel direct ot book at 1.888.332.2623, a block of rooms will be on hold till December 1st, please inform front desk you are attending the show to ensure the discount. •
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.
The committee is working hard on finalizing the agendas of breakouts sessions and keynote speakers.
Online registration now open. Rates are $395 Early In-Person Registration (before November 15, 2025). $460 Regular In-Person Registration (November 16 to December 20, 2025). $510 Late In-Person Registration (December 21, 2025 to January 8, 2026)
A block of rooms are available at the Banff Springs Hotel for BPS2026 starting at $255/night plus taxes and fees for single occupancy. Space is limited so book early. Must book by December 1, 2025 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 4th & 5th, 2026. More details will be available in the next edition. For more information contact Patti Clement at 204.981.8042 or
E: info@manitobaswineseminar.com
W: manitobaswineseminar.com •
Saskatchewan Livestock Expo
The 16th annual Saskatchewan Livestock Expo will take place Thursday February 19th, 2026 in Swift Current, SK. The one day show will be held at the Kinetic Exhibition Park, featuring a trade show, door prizes, live auction and of course the Cramer Cup series.
Registration now open, applications available on the website
cramereventmanagement.com.
A block of rooms are held at Days Inn, Swift Current call 306.773.4660 and let hotel know you are part of the Saskatchewan Livestock Expo.
Any questions contact Doug Cramer 306.520.3553 or email sklivestockexpo@gmail.com•
Canadian Pork Council Supports Government Action for Agriculture and Seafood Producers Impacted by Trade Practices
Measures to improve Advance Payments Program, AgriMarketing will help diversify markets for Canadian pork.
The Canadian Pork Council supports Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent announcement to assist Canada’s agriculture producers due to increased trade uncertainty.
“As producers, we are caught in tariff challenges not of our own making, and our industry can sometimes be impacted by decisions not involving our industry,” said CPC chair René Roy. “The Prime Minister’s announcement today is a recognition that pork, canola and seafood producers have been impacted by decisions unrelated to the quality of our products.”
Improvements to the Advanced Payments Program, increases in AgriMarketing funding and exploring more ways to bring affordable EVs to Canada are an indication the Government of Canada is taking a broader economic approach to these issues, and CPC welcomes the recognition of agriculture’s crucial role in the Canadian economy.
“Growth in the Canadian economy will come from the agriculture sector, and our pork sector, in particular, offers significant promise for growth,” said Roy. “We look forward to continuing our work with the Government of Canada, and governments at the provincial level, to increase our sector’s economic impact for all Canadians.” •
Growing Alberta’s Veterinary Workforce
Alberta’s government and the University of Calgary are supporting the training of more veterinarians through the grand opening of the Veterinary Learnings Commons.
To help support the increasing demand for veterinarian training, Alberta’s government has invested a total of $68.5 million for the development of the new Veterinary Learning Commons at the University of Calgary’s Spyhill campus. Now open to students and staff, the new facility will offer an exceptional educational experience by creating new, modern learning and wellness spaces. With rising demand for veterinarians to care for livestock and large animals, this training centre will play a key role in closing the gap.
Since 2005, the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) has been preparing students with the skills and knowledge needed to support animal health and research across Alberta. Previously offering 50 seats each year for veterinary training, the grand opening of the Veterinary Learning Commons will double training capacity, allowing the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine to train 100 veterinarians each year beginning this academic year.
“Alberta veterinarians ensure animals receive the highest standard of care, preventing the spread of disease and supporting food safety across the province. More vets, especially in rural Alberta, will mean better support for producers and improved care for livestock across the province.”
RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation
The agriculture sector depends on healthy animals and having reliable access to veterinary care. To help meet this need, increased intake at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine will lead to more veterinary professionals serving communities across the province. The University of Calgary’s community-based practicum model also connects veterinary students with rural practices to ensure livestock and other farm animals receive the care they need.
Alberta’s government is providing students with the supports and high-quality education they need to meet the workforce demands of tomorrow. By investing in veterinary medicine, the province is creating more opportunities for Alberta veterinary students to learn, train and contribute their expertise close to home.
The Veterinary Learning Commons includes several student gathering areas, wellness spaces and three flexible active learning classroom spaces that will support the expanded program.
In 2022, Alberta’s government committed $58.5 million over three years in capital funding to expand capacity at UCVM.
In 2023, an additional $10 million was invested to further support the construction of the Veterinary Learning Commons.
As one of Canada’s top livestock producers, Alberta leads the country in cattle numbers, ranks second in sheep and lamb production, and accounts for 11 per cent of the national pig herd. •
Poilievre Wants to Axe Foreign Worker Program
Conservative party leader Pierre Poilievre wants the federal government to axe the temporary foreign worker program.
He said it has flooded the market with cheap labour and made it harder for young Canadians to find work.
But he also said he would have a way to hire foreigners for difficult-to-fill agriculture jobs, presumably meaning crop workers and meat-packing industry jobs.
“The Liberals have to answer, ‘Why is it that they are shutting our own youth out of jobs and replacing them with low-wage, temporary foreign workers from poor countries who are ultimately being exploited,’” Poilievre said.
Canada already has a separate immigration stream for farm workers called the Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program (SWAP) that allows employers to bring in workers from Mexico and other participating Caribbean countries.
Poilievre stressed that he doesn’t blame the temporary foreign workers themselves but the Liberal government and “liberal corporate elites” who he says are exploiting these workers to enrich themselves. •
— By Jim Romahn
Carney Pushing Canola Trade
Prime Minister Mark Carney said he and other senior officials will work to resolve a dispute with China over tariffs imposed on canola.
China hit Canadian canola seed imports with preliminary 75.8 per cent duties last month following an anti-dumping investigation, escalating a year-long trade dispute. It earlier put new tariffs on canola oil. China is by far Canada’s biggest canola seed market.
“We’re going to work hard to get that right … the minister of international trade has been engaged, our foreign minister is engaged, I will be engaged to work to find a solution for our agricultural relationship,” Carney told reporters in Toronto.
Canada, the world’s largest exporter of canola, shipped almost $5 billion of canola products to China in 2024, about 80 per cent of which was seed. The tariffs are high enough to stall canola exports to China.
On a different front, the Canadian canola industry aims to gain better deals for canola oil exports to the United States to be used as engine fuel. •
— By Jim Romahn
Canadian Pork Exports: Growth Highlights 2025
Canadian pork continues to shine on the global stage, with importers recognizing the premium quality and consistency it brings to the table.
Jan–June 2025 vs. Jan–June 2024 shows remarkable growth in several key markets by volume:
Japan – +25.6% (+37.7M kg), now 23.4% of all exports
South Korea – +27.1% (+12.5M kg), strengthening our presence in Asia
Taiwan – +36.4% (+7.5M kg), strong upward momentum
Colombia – +18.1% (+2.0M kg), unlocking more opportunities in Latin America
Mexico – +9.8% (+8.9M kg), solidifying its role as a Top 4 market
And rounding out the Top 10:
USA – still the #1 destination (24.2% of all exports)
Philippines, China, Vietnam and Malaysia
These results highlight not only the resilience of Canadian pork but also the trust and confidence it inspires worldwide. Safety, quality, and reliability remain at the core of why Canadian pork is the choice of so many global partners. •
PigLEARN Now Available
PigLEARN is an online training platform designed to enhance skills and boost productivity in the swine industry.
It offers a flexible, self-paced learning experience with a wide range of educational content, training modules, and valuable resources.
Sask Pork will cover two 24-month subscriptions for each premise, contact
karolina@saskpork.com to gain access. •
National Farm Animal Care Council Pig Code Update
Online orientation sessions were attended by all Scientific Committee (SC) and Code Committee (CC) members. The orientation sessions provided an overview of the following:
NFACC Code Development Process.
Administrative activities and requirements.
Anticipated timelines for the project.
The first in-person meeting will be held in October with both the SC and CC in attendance. Preliminary work to identify priority welfare issues (PWIs) has begun. PWIs are selected because they are important for the welfare of pigs and will particularly benefit from a review of available scientific literature. Note: welfare issues that are not selected as PWIs may still be very important issues that the CC can discuss and incorporate into the updated Code of Practice.
The PWI list is the basis for the peer-reviewed Scientific Committee report. •
Canada Pork Travels Aborad to Promote Canadian Pork
It’s hard to believe we’re just three months away from wrapping up what has been a full and dynamic calendar of trade shows and events in 2025. Supporting market access, driving diversification, and standing strong behind the Canada Pork brand lies at the heart of everything we do.
Here’s what’s still on our calendar for this fiscal year and into early 2026:
Japan Mission Trip – late September
ANUGA, Cologne, Germany – early October.
FHC Shanghai – November 12–14, 2025
China International Import Expo (CIIE) – November 5–10, 2025
Supermarket Trade Show, Japan – February 18–20, 2026
Meanwhile, our Canada Pork – Porc Canada team dedicated to the domestic market continues to make an impact across Canada through joint initiatives with partner associations, PPOs, and our VCP and Pick Pork brands.
Wherever we go, we are proud to represent our members, strengthen partnerships, and share one common passion: the premium quality of Canadian pork. •
New Ag. Trade Boss in U.S.
Luke Lindberg, who served as a trade official in the first Trump administration, has been confirmed as the under secretary for trade and foreign affairs at the United States Department of Agriculture.
He will probably have some involvement in ongoing trade talks between Canada and the U.S. because access to Canada’s dairy and poultry markets are an issue.
The U.S. Senate voted 77-18 to approve his nomination late Saturday, which U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President Dan Halstrom called “a strong showing of bipartisan support.”
“This is a critical time for agricultural trade and Mr. Lindberg brings great passion and extensive experience to this role. He has a proven track record as a champion for U.S. agriculture,” Halstrom said. •
— By Jim Romahn
Canada Pork Launches New Compact Verified Canadian Pork Logo
Canada Pork was excited to introduce a new Made with Verified Canadian Pork logo to our portfolio. This sleek version is perfect when space is limited, while still showcasing that your product is local, premium, and delivers the trusted quality Canadians expect. •
Hog and Cattle Numbers
Statistics Canada reports the national hog herd declined by 1.3 per cent in July.
Hog slaughter increased by 3.3 per cent to 11.6 million hogs ower the first half of the year.
Statistics Canada said there was strong export demand for hogs, but cattle exports declined by 2.7 per cent for the first half of the year.
Cattle numbers increased for the first time since 2021 in July.
Beef cow numbers were up by four-tenths of one per cent and heifers kept for breeding by half of one per cent.
There were half of one per cent more dairy heifers and four-tenths of one per cent more dairy cows, both increases the same as beef.
The total Canadian cattle herd stood at 11.9 million, eight-tenths of one per cent more than a year ago.
The numbers hold true with the long-term beef cycle which is four years from the top to bottom of numbers and then four years from bottom to top. Prices take a reverse roller-coaster ride. •
— By Jim Romahn
Alberta Pork Has New Resource on Their Website
We’re proud to share a new resource on our website dedicated to supporting mental health in the agricultural industry. Farming can be rewarding, but it also comes with unique challenges and stresses.
Our new Mental Health Resources page offers information on support services tailored specifically for farmers, producers, and their families. You’re not alone. •
Genesus Dies, True North begins
True North Genetics Ltd. has taken over from financially-failed Genesus.
True North said it is a company with new ownership, energized leadership, and a bold vision for the future of pork production.
It bought from Canada ZF which bought Genesus in July, 2023 and renamed it Genesus Genetic Technology.
True North is based in Winnipeg. It also owns Jersey Red Duroc.
It describes the deal with Genesus as a merger. •
— By Jim Romahn
ADM Now Owns Masterfeeds
ADM and Alltech have signed a definitive agreement to launch a North American animal feed joint venture, bringing together decades of experience and unparalleled capabilities to create new advantages for customers, the companies announced on Sept. 23.
“The first company name I can remember, besides our own, is ADM — a name I’ve heard since I was 3 years old, and likely even earlier,” said Mark Lyons, president and chief executive officer of Alltech.
“My father’s very first order — and his second, for those who know the story of Alltech’s beginnings — came from ADM. That early vote of confidence helped shape our story. Over the decades, the relationship between our two companies has only grown stronger. We’ve long explored ways to partner more deeply, and now the time is right to align our passionate teams, proven products and shared values.”
Alltech will contribute its U.S.-based Hubbard Feeds and Canada-based Masterfeeds businesses, including 18 feed mills in the U.S and 15 in Canada, and ADM will contribute its 11 U.S. feed mills. The joint venture will be majority-owned by Alltech and governed by a board with equal representation from each parent company. •
— By Jim Romahn
