Walter Preugschas and first Lacombe Boar in 1958
Kurt Preugschas (Walter & Jurgens’ dad, Dr. Kurts’ grandfather)
Sometimes choosing a breed of pig just comes down to a bit of local history.When Leah Purdy returned to her family’s central Alberta farm in 2017 she thought she might like to get a few pigs to raise for
So a long held belief by many is that government is employee fat.Given in the last number of years private business has often opted to improve the bottom line by trimming staff positions saving those wages and off loading responsibilities to others, or to better system and technology the general assumption is that it
Swine Barns at the Lacombe Research Centre.
The proposed closure of Agriculture Canada’s research station in Lacombe will create a huge hole in pork and hog research, said Alberta Pork’s head of Quality Assurance.The central Alberta research station has long focused part of its research on livestock, meat, meat quality and improvements that benefit farmers
Continuing strong hog prices encouraged producers during a series of recent Alberta Pork meetings across Alberta, said Alberta Pork’s chairman.“The main topic is the state of the industry’s current pricing and how good it is and we hope that it will stay the same through the futures pricing,” said Alastair Bratton.“The reason I believe
Manitoba pork producers sent a clear signal about the future of their industry on February 12 in Portage la Prairie.At a Special Meeting of registered producers held at Canad Inns, all six districts – Hutter Schwine, North Star Producers, East, West, HyLife, and Canada Packers – voted in favour of increasing Manitoba Pork Council
A single PED outbreak in southern Alberta in February is testament to how following disease protocol can limit the spread of disease, said Alberta Pork’s Quality Assurance and Production manager.“It was caught very early,” said Javier Bahamon, of the confirmed case of porcine epidemic diarrhea. At the end of March, it continued to be
Karina Mikkelsen
Danish swine consultant Karina Mikkelsen delivered a clear message to producers at the 2026 Manitoba Swine Seminar in Winnipeg: focus on the sow first.“The sow is a princess,” Mikkelsen said. “If you take good care of the sow, you take good care of the piglets.”Mikkelsen brings more than 20 years of experience in
Michael Fitzgerald
Speaking at the Manitoba Swine Seminar in Winnipeg, Michael Fitzgerald, Professional Ag Marketing’s risk manager, told producers that U.S. livestock and grain markets continue to support profitability, but those margins depend on tight supply balances and uncertain demand.Fitzgerald brings more than 15 years of industry experience and a strong family-farming background to his
Cam Dahl
Speaking at the Manitoba Swine Seminar in Winnipeg, Cam Dahl, general manager of Manitoba Pork, told producers that 2025 delivered profitability, but uncertainty now defines the outlook for 2026.Dahl described the past year as one of sharp contrasts. Strong demand for pork and pigs supported margins. Feed costs stayed manageable. Consumers continued to
Kevin Kurbis
Canada’s Pig Code of Practice is undergoing a major update, with completion expected in spring 2028 and full influence on barn design and management by 2029. The National Farm Animal Care Council is leading the process, reviewing scientific research and priority welfare issues to shape new standards for sow housing, space, enrichment, and
