Good day one and all. As I am typing this message we once again have smoky skies. So many fires are burning to the West in BC, North in NWT and of course many in Ontario and Quebec as well. Since Alberta fires are under control it is wonderful to see the camaraderie in the fire fighting world, as they help each other out not only across Canada but even South in the US.
We all continue to listen in on the latest updates on CUSMA talks, or lack there of, plus the latest tariff threats. So much trade from all sectors, not only agriculture, happen back and forth across the 49th, it is a shame can’t be worked out. Everybody suffers.
Included in this very full edition are the Industry Award winners from Alberta Pork Congress awards banquet, and the Olymel Reach for the Top Award winners. Congratulations to Farm Team winners Spruit Farms and New Rockport, Industry Innovation Charlotte Ship and Lifetime Achievement recipient Tony Rock. All well deserved. The Olymel RFTT awards were presented to: Food Safety – 3rd time winner Britestone Colony, Forecast -Twilight Colony, High Health – VFA Pork, Logistics – Holt Colony and Grand Champion A & A Van Ginkel.
In addition, coverage from the recent Group Sow Housing Forum in MB, new SIP research on common disease, importing rare breed semen, a welcomed zoning agreement with Japan, ending of wild boar farming, barn renovation updates and so so much more. In the centre of this issue, you will also find the complete readership survey results. I was encouraged to see that 58 percent of producers have already converted to loose sow housing ahead of the 2029 deadline, 33 percent plan on renovating and nine percent plan on building new barns. Eighty-four percent of respondents said advertisements do affect their purchasing decisions and 88 percent keep previous editions. Eight-five percent said PHC is their favourite magazine while 88 percent said it is their preferred source for hog news and information. Thanks again for your tremendous support.
I had the pleasure in early July to volunteer at the Pork Showcase at the Calgary Stampede for the 5th year. It was great to share the hog sector with city slickers, many very good questions and a better understanding from most of why we have or use farrowing crates. I look forward to helping again in 2027. Thanks to all the volunteers, it would not happen with out you!
With 2026 over half over some are already looking ahead to 2027, the release dates can be found on page 49. August 2026 marks another special date for me and PHC, as it has been 23 years since I took over as publisher, although having been involved since beginning, that is when I purchased from Susan (Blackman) Abma, thanks to her and Morris for allowing me to purchase PHC and continue on with the Magazine that I love.
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. •