Greetings on a cooler, smoke filled afternoon. The heat wave we have been having has taken a back seat for some much needed moisture. As I am typing this my heart aches for all those affect by the wildfires, makes you appreciate the countless blessings we each have in our lives.
This issue is jam packed with follow-up coverage from the 50th Alberta Pork Congress, some amazing new vaccine & organ transplant research, a look at a rare breed, wild boar updates, current trends, bio-security focus, hog economics, a tragic fire and much more.
Congratulations to the award winners from Alberta Pork Congress banquet: Rising Star – Dr. Lexie Reed, Industry Ambassador – Andy Walter, Farm Team – Holt Colony and Lifetime Achievement – Ciaran Ormond. A shout out as well to the Olymel Reach For The Top awards: Food Safety – Britestone Colony, Core – Birch Meadows Colony, High Health – A & A Van Ginkle Pork Farm, Logistics – Bentley Colony and Grand Champion – VCA Pork Ltd.
I was once again able to volunteer at the Pork Showcase during the Calgary Stampede. What a wonderful way to share our amazing hog sector with city slickers. I chatted and answered questions with attendees from all over the globe. Kudos to the pork committee members, volunteers and Alberta Pork. I had the pleasure of sharing shifts with Dr. Kelsey Gray, Ruben Waldner, Hugh Baranieski and Sandra Spruit. Plus check in with Laurie Fries, Lisa Doyle, Dylan Bohme and John Green on shifts that backed mine. Again this could not be done with out the great volunteers.
See page 48 for the photo contest winners, a reminder there is no longer a separate yearly calendar, due to printer/press change last fall. So stay tuned to see the winners and other submissions appearing in future editions of Prairie Hog Country.
Also included in this issue are the annual readership survey results. Thanks for taking the time to answer and send back in. It is always great to hear direct from our readers. Ninety-four per cent of respondents said Prairie Hog Country is their preferred source of hog information. Ninety-nine per cent stated the Prairie Hog Country is their favourite magazine and 50 per cent have been reading Prairie Hog Country for 16 or more years. Eighty-one per cent said they are optimistic about future of hog production in Western Canada. Eighty-seven per cent said that advertisements do influence their purchasing decisions. Ninety-one per cent keep previous editions. Complete survey results can be found on page 44 and 45.
For those of you that plan ahead the release dates for 2025 can be located on page 49. For a complete list of all upcoming events see under Pork Chops starting on page 50.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Harrys’ lovely new wife while they were in Alberta on their honeymoon. It was wonderful to see how happy you both are as you begin your new lives together as husband and wife.
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 October. •