Western Canadian farmers are facing increasing frustration with federal trade policies that they say favor Eastern Canada, leaving them exposed to economic hardship. Many producers argue that policies designed to protect industries in the East, such as dairy and poultry supply management, limit opportunities for growth and expansion in the West. The impact of these policies is felt across multiple sectors, from grain to livestock. Pork producers in particular have faced challenges due to restricted access to certain markets and increased costs driven by federal regulations. Additionally, Western farmers have endured ongoing issues with rail transportation bottlenecks, making it difficult to move their products efficiently while Eastern-based industries benefit from more developed infrastructure and federal support.
Producers can use data from precision livestock farming technology to work more efficiently and better care for their animals. But the benefits don't stop there. Veterinarians, food companies, government officials, scientists, animal welfare groups and grocery stores can also use this data. It could help them be more transparent, follow government regulations and make the swine industry more responsible and efficient. The role of PLF in enhancing transparency and efficiency is crucial, making stakeholders feel more informed and efficient in their roles. Today, consumers want to know more about how their food is produced. The technology could help food processors and retailers show that pigs are raised ethically and sustainably. One example is blockchain technology, which allows producers to track food safety and quality from farm to store. Blockchain makes the food supply chain more dependable when combined with existing tracking systems. It could help consumers trust the production p
Kurt was born and raised on a pig farm near Barrhead, Alberta, which sparked his passion for swine production and medicine. He graduated with his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2010 from WCVM in Saskatoon. After graduation, he went directly into swine medicine and has worked in swine practices in Manitoba and Alberta. In 2019, Kurt started a new swine veterinary practice, Precision Veterinary Services inc., based in Red Deer, Alberta. He and his wife Tanja have their home near Lacombe with their 4 children. Kurt takes part in various committees and associations to stay abreast of industry news and innovation. He is a director of the Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop, and has been a director of the Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians for multiple years and is currently the Past President. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? How animal welfare is more than just pain management—it’s about creating a productive and healthy environment for pigs. Th
Hog prices remained steady with slight fluctuations across major markets. In Ontario, the 100 percent base formula price closed at 233.92 per hundredweight, up from the previous year’s 200.35 per hundredweight. The average dressed weight remained stable at 109 kilograms, while total market hog sales reached 126,271 head, reflecting a 3 percent increase compared to last year. In Canada, total hog slaughter across federal and provincial plants reached 451,832 head, marking an 8 percent increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, the Quebec pool price dropped to 215.32 per hundredweight, and the Manitoba hog value increased slightly to 240.44 per hundredweight. The Canadian dollar remained weak at 0.6950 US dollars, impacting overall export competitiveness. In the U.S., federally inspected hog slaughter was estimated at 2.515 million head, a 2 percent increase from last year. Sow slaughter saw a decline, down 9.2 percent year-over-year, signaling potential shifts in herd size. Early-wea
Research conducted by Iowa State University suggests swine producers and transporters can reduce truck washing and decontamination costs through the strategic scheduling of truck washing. Iowa State University, with funding provided through the Swine Health Information Center Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Research Program in partnership with the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and Pork Checkoff, used computer modeling to determine how different levels of swine transport trailer washing impact the spread of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. SHIC Associate Director Dr. Lisa Becton says the study found increasing the decontamination rate significantly reduces PED spread but it's not always economically plausible to wash 100 percent of the trailers 100 percent of the time. Quote-Dr. Lisa Becton-Swine Health Information Center: This modeling really does show the impact of network connectivity between sites, between systems and even in different geographic regions. While it does l
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