Manitoba Pork AGM
Mark your calendars for the Manitoba Pork Annual General Meeting Thursday April 9th, at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg. More details will be available once closer. •

Montana Livestock Expo
The one day Montana Livestock Expo will take place on April 29th in Great Falls MT. For details, registration contact Doug Cramer at 306.520.3553 •

Prairie Swine Centre Spring Producer Meetings
Prairie Swine Centre along with Zoetis and PIC are sharing the dates for the spring producer meetings.
Saskatoon on April 15th. Alberta will host two meetings April 22nd in Lethbridge and April 23rd in Red Deer. Followed up by Portage la Prairie on April 29th.
Registration for all meetings opens at 10:30am program from 11am – 4pm, lunch is provided.
You must pre register for these meetings, please contact one of the following:
Donna.VanGorp@zoetis.com
Steffen.Klenk@genusplc.com or
Ken.Engele@usask.ca •

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the ANCC
‘Nutrition as the Nexus between Crop Production and Animal Rearing’ anchors 10th Animal Nutrition Conference of Canada in Edmonton, AB.
At a time when livestock producers and feed manufacturers are under increasing pressure to improve efficiency and performance, the 10th Animal Nutrition Conference of Canada (ANCC) will spotlight the science shaping the next generation of nutritional strategies.
Taking place May 5–7, 2026 at the Westin Edmonton, ANCC 2026 will bring together researchers, nutritionists and industry leaders to explore advances in animal nutrition and their role in supporting resilient, sustainable and productive crop and livestock systems across Canada and the world.
Hosted by the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada (ANAC), the conference marks its 10th edition with the theme “Nutrition as the Nexus between Crop Production and Animal Rearing” . The theme reflects a clear reality for today’s livestock sector: nutrition sits at the intersection of biological performance, ingredient innovation and commercial success.
For details or information contact Jocelyn Zafra Castillo, Communications & Events Coordinator, Animal Nutrition Association of Canada. E: jzafra@anacan.org PH: (613) 241-6421 ext 3. •

Alberta Pork Congress
The 52nd annual Alberta Pork Congress will be held at Westerner Park in Red Deer June 10th & 11th.
In addition to the two day trade show Alberta Pork Congress is happy host the awards banquet dinner Wednesday June 10th and plus join us for lunch before we depart on Thursday June 11th.
Online registration is now open for booths, to purchase Wednesday and Thursday lunch tickets plus Wednesdays banquet tickets. Sponsorship opportunities are also listed online check out the website at
albertaporkcongress.com
If anyone is interested in receiving postcards or posters to promote the show please reach out to Kate.
For more details and information contact Kate Kelly, at 403.542.7906 or email her at kate@albertaporkcongress.com •.

Hutterite Manufacturing & Associate Expo
The Hutterite Manufacturing & Associate Expo is a unique shopping experience where you can find a variety of household, farming, and building supplies made with unbeatable quality.
From farming supplies including kitchen and bath cabinets, metal fabrication, metal roofing and siding, and so much more! This is a must-visit event for DIY enthusiasts, contractors, and homeowners alike.
Will take place at the Red River Exhibition Park in Winnipeg August 13th & 14th, 2026. For details contact Alana Fehr at 204.888.6990 ext 109 or C: 204.383.0040 or
email: alana@redriverex.com •

Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop
Save the date for Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop which will be held Wednesday October 7th at Westerner Park. Agenda and speakers will be confirmed in future issues. •

Alberta Livestock Expo
Keep October 14th and 15th open for the Alberta Livestock Expo in Lethbridge. Booth registration will open on May st.
For details and more information please check the website at www.albertalivestockexpo.com or email sarah@evergreen-events.ca or call Sarah at 403.393.2120 •

Saskatchewan Pork Symposium
If marking your calendars for all the events in 2026, another one to pencil in is Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium. The two day event is planned for November 3rd & 4th. More details will be available in the months and issues to come. •

Alberta Pork AGM
Save the date for the Alberta Pork Congress Annual General Meeting Thursday November 19th, at the Double Tree by Hilton in Calgary. More details will be available once date is closer. •

Prairie Livestock Expo
The Prairie Livestock Expo will take place at the Victoria Inn & Conference Centre Wednesday December 16th. More details will be confirmed in the April edition. •

Sex Matters in Pigs’ Survival
Gilts survive better than barrows, according to research by Adam Moeser, a professor at the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Much of that traces to early gut development and stresses at weaning that result in persistent leaky gut, chronic low-grade inflammation and altered enteric nervous system function, which increases disease risk, he found.
Females exhibit a stronger immune response but are more prone to chronic inflammatory disorders. He said research has shown that females typically have higher survivability rates than males, with males dying at a disproportionately higher rate from infection compared with females. That’s likely due to a more robust immune response in female pigs.
A weakness for gilts because when there are chronic and unrelenting stressors, female pigs are more prone to chronic pain and inflammation disorders.
“That may give them a trade-off for survivability versus chronic disease,” Moeser said.
A conservative estimate suggests there’s a two to four per cent higher mortality rate in castrated males. That puts a big dent in potential profits.
For decades, Dr. James Squires of the University of Guelph has been researching boar taint which results in an objectionable odour when boar pork is cooked. If ie succeeds, castration would no longer be necessary.
Moeser said “If we can understand the biology, what’s really different between a male and a female, maybe we can come up with some new interventions, or targeted strategies, or sex-specific strategies, that can put a dent in this health disparity.” •
— By Jim Romahn

Feds Add $75 Million for Agribusinesses
Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald announced $75 million will be on offer to small and medium-sized food and fisheries businesses to seek new export markets.
The money goes to two programs announced in 2023 when $125 million was offered.
MacDonald made the announcement at an annual policy breakfast hosted by Food and Beverage Canada on the national Agriculture Day.
MacDonald said commodities affected by trade barriers will get priority: canola, pulses, pork, fish and seafoods.
The two programs are the AgriMarketing and Market Diversification for National Industry and the Market Diversification for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.
He defended closing 17 research facilities.
Closing the facilities was a matter of aligning and co-ordinating the federal food strategy, he said.
A number of the centres were operating with overhead and maintenance costs of 50 to 60 per cent, he said, and others were conducting research no longer in line with Ottawa’s vision for Canadian agriculture, such as deforestation.
“I’ll put it bluntly,” he said. “The mandate we ran on was spend less and invest more. This is spending less on infrastructure and more in science and research.” •
— By Jim Romahn

NFACC Pig Code Update
The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) recently shared that the full pig Code Committee (CC) is meeting monthly to work through assigned sections of the Code. To facilitate the large, virtual group meetings, CC members are asked to submit proposed changes and comments regarding the assigned chapter sections on a shared document prior to the meeting so each member can consider all proposed comments and changes beforehand. All comments and proposed changes are discussed collectively at the group meetings. The CC has implemented a green, yellow, red approach to decision making so each CC member can signal their level of comfort with a proposed change being discussed.
The Scientific Committee (SC) is finalizing the enrichment priority welfare issue chapter, which will be available to the CC by the end of January. The SC will be focusing on the housing chapter next. A full list of the Priority Welfare Issues that will make up the SC’s report is available here.
A small group of subject matter experts is looking at the Transport chapter of the pig Code and will bring their proposed revisions to the CC to review in March at their next in-person meeting. •

Canada Packers Posts First Results
Canada Packers Inc., a pork business spun off last year by Maple Leaf Foods Inc., posted a profit of $23.2 million on sales of $429.4 million.
For the same period last year, its division profit was $50.6 million on sales of $424 million. •
— By Jim Romahn

Topigs Norsvin Canada Inc. and First Choice Genetics Announce Strategic Alliance
After several months of negotiations, First Choice Genetics of Brandon, Manitoba and Topigs Norsvin Canada Inc. have entered into a strategic alliance. This agreement enables First Choice Genetics to participate in Topigs Norsvin’s innovative genetic program, while expanding sales and technical support for its customers.

Established in 1994, First Choice Genetics is a division of Spring Valley Colony. The team takes pride in their “hands on” approach to developing and refining their genetic strategy over many years. Through its partnership with Topigs Norsvin, First Choice Genetics will have access to additional research and development resources, creating new opportunities to further advance genetic improvement for the producers it serves.
“It was about how can we both become stronger and better”, commented Sam Hofer, Manager of First Choice Genetics. “We share the same values in customer support and mostly in customer success. The research at Innova and Delta Canada is impressive. Competing against such R&D is really hard, this makes it very exciting for us at FCG to access some of the best genetics lines in the Topigs Norsvin nucleus. This alliance clearly was the best choice for FCG and for our valued customers.”
Mike Shaw, Managing Director of Topigs Norsvin Canada Inc. states “From the very first discussions around this strategic alliance, it was clear that both companies share strong values and a common culture. Most importantly, we are united by our commitment to putting customers first and ensuring a secure and reliable source of genetics for the future.”•

Stubbe’s Precast Moves West
Andrew Beusekom and Jim Haggins are now representing Stubbe’s Precast in Western Canada. Stubbe’s has been manufacturing hog and dairy slats for over 40 years and will service the west with their high quality products from their two plants in Ontario. Andrew and Jim wanted to continue providing another alternative for their customers in the west. Stop in at our booth at the Alberta Pork Congress in June. •

SIP Announces New Research
Swine Innovation Porc funds research to combat Streptococcus suis infections in piglets
Swine Innovation Porc (SIP) is investing in new research aimed at addressing Streptococcus suis, a bacterial pathogen that can cause respiratory disease, meningitis, and sudden death in post-weaned piglets, leading to significant animal health challenges and economic losses for producers.
The project, “Harnessing Lactobacillus: Engineering Bacteriophage Endolysins to Combat Streptococcus suis Infection in Post-Weaned Piglets,” is led by Dongyan Xu Niu at the University of Calgary. The three-year study will explore a novel approach to controlling Streptococcus suis by engineering beneficial Lactobacillus bacteria to deliver bacteriophage-derived enzymes that can specifically target and break down the pathogen. Researchers will identify and optimize these enzymes, integrate them into Lactobacillus strains, and evaluate their ability to protect piglets from infection, potentially improving piglet health while reducing reliance on antimicrobials.
Supported by the Pork Promotion and Research Agency, this project is the latest funded under SIP’s Advancing Swine Research Call for Proposals. SIP will invest up to $150,000, mobilizing up to $419,580 in total project funding.
“Strategic research investments like this help ensure Canadian producers have access to innovative tools and solutions to address priority health challenges in the barn,” said Mark Ferguson, Chair of Swine Innovation Porc.
Projects are selected through a rigorous review process informed by industry input and scientific expertise, ensuring research outcomes are relevant, impactful, and positioned to deliver value back to producers and processors.
“This project reflects the type of collaborative, forward-looking research we aim to support through the Advancing Swine Research Call for Proposals,” said Daniel Ramage, General Manager of SIP. “By bringing together leading researchers and industry priorities, we’re helping advance solutions that strengthen the long-term resilience and competitiveness of Canada’s pork sector.”
The Advancing Swine Research Call for Proposals supports one to three-year projects running from 2025 to 2028 and involves collaboration among leading research institutions across Canada. •

Canadian Meat Council Expands Market Access
Thanks to the work of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency with industry, Canada was able to secure expanded market access in Indonesia. The approval of an additional two beef and seven pork establishments will help drive exports to a market of 279 million people with a GDP of nearly $1.9 trillion.
“A market of almost 300 million people is obviously an important one for Canadian producers.” said Canadian Pork Council chair René Roy. Indonesia will also now accept over-thirty-month bone-in beef and beef offal. Previously, Canadian producers could only export boneless beef.
Our President & CEO Kyle Larkin met with CFIA President Paul MacKinnon recently to personally thank him and the agency for their work in securing this expanded market access.•

Gene-edited Pork Labeling Questioned
The Canadian Pork Council said it supports gene editing in pig breeding programs, but said its not practical to require labeling as du Breton and others have asked.
“We know domestic and international consumers will want to educate themselves on this technology, but it is important to note there is no mechanism to track or segregate this product through supply chains,” the Canadian Pork Council said Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have approved gene-edited pigs developed by Genus PLC and PIC (Pig Improvement Company), ruling them safe for food and feed. The pigs have been gene edited to resist porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada also said that environmental and human health risks were no different than with pigs currently available. The CFIA and Health Canada also found no difference in nutritional value, according to a Jan. 23 news release.

Health Canada said pork from gene edited pigs won’t require special labelling because it has found no health and safety concerns. •
— By Jim Romahn

Water Too Often Neglected Says Expert
Hog farmers should pay more attention to water quality, said Chelsea Fallis of Kemin, a global animal nutrition company.
She said most often water quality is an afterthought addressed only when it becomes an immediate concern.
Yet water is the number one resource animals need to consume daily to survive.
Without regular monitoring or testing of your site’s water, this leaves an open door to your biosecurity plan. Unchecked water can pose a significant risk to the health of your animals and bottom line, she said.
“If we’re not evaluating water as we are evaluating feed ingredients, operations are missing a huge opportunity,” she said.
She worked with hog farmers and contractors before joining Kemin and her on-farm experiences over almost six years prompted her to take on water quality as a full-time job at Kemin.
Aside from reduced water intake due to odor, taste, or temperature, inconsistent or poor water quality can cause a slew of other problems, she said.
She flags biofilm build-up in waterlines as a big issue because it can harbour pathogens and bacteria potentially impacting the efficacy of antibiotics.
What we do not know right now is how much of that antibiotic is getting eaten up in the water line before it gets to the pigs, she said.
This could lead to a perceived drug failure and a re-administration of antibiotics increasing the cost going into those animals, increased labor and time lost getting animals to recover.
“Producers are working with their veterinarians on utilizing the right drug for the right bug at the right time, and often yield less of a result than anticipated. The concern is, are we truthfully getting a therapeutic dose to the animal as expected or are we losing efficacy due to contaminants (biofilm) in the water?” she asked.
“Operations are adding some form of water treatment for one reason or another. I.e.: bleach, chlorine tabs, citric acid, apple cider vinegar with no standardization or measurement of success,” she said. •
— By Jim Romahn

Canadian Pork Council, Swine Innovation Porc Respond to Cuts
Reducing federal livestock research capacity represents a cut to critical investments and would have long-term risks to producers.
The Canadian Pork Council and Swine Innovation Porc have issued a joint statement, sharing their disappointment by recent federal decisions affecting Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research facilities and scientific capacity, including centers in Guelph, Quebec City, Lacombe, and the AAFC Nappan Research Farm in Nova Scotia.
“Yes, fiscal restraint is a reality, but reducing federal livestock research capacity represents a cut to critical investments and would have long-term risks to producers, the agri-food system, and Canada’s science-based decision-making credibility and food security.”
The Canadian Pork Council represents more than 7,000 producers. Together, they contribute more than $8 billion to the Canadian economy, with pork exports exceeding $5 billion. Investments from the industry and government in research and innovation sustain animal health, disease preparedness, antimicrobial stewardship, environmental performance, and productivity.
“Swine Innovation Porc coordinates national, producer-driven research investments, that rely on federal facilities to deliver public- good outcomes. These outcomes require independent expertise, long-term infrastructure, and national coordination are required.”

“Several Swine Innovation Porc supported projects have been conducted at, or are currently led from, AAFC facilities facing closure or funding reductions. One example is the ongoing Swine Cluster 4 pork quality project led by AAFC Lacombe. The project examines genetic and carcass characteristics of pork belly quality, now one of the most valuable cuts of the pig. This research relies on federal infrastructure and expertise to generate large scale carcass and genetic data needed to support balanced genetic selection, improve pork quality, and continue strengthening Canada’s competitiveness in domestic and international markets.
“Specialized livestock research capacity cannot be quickly rebuilt once lost. The weakening of this capacity will raise concerns about Canada’s ability to sustain coordinated science-based research that supports market access, value creation across the supply chain, and public confidence in Canadian food production.”
“The CPC and SIP remain committed to constructive engagement with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and federal decision -makers. Research capacity is a strategic asset, not a discretionary expense. Preserving it is essential to the resilience and competitiveness of Canada’s pork sector and agri-food system.” •

Canada Pork Shares Three Strategic Pillars
At Canada Pork, we are focused on one clear goal: positioning Canada as the world’s preferred supplier of high-quality pork.
To get there, we’re guided by three strategic pillars:

• Market Access
• Awareness
• Growth
  Our greatest strength is our people. •