The world wants more pork and Canada is positioned to supply it. Carlos Pi–eiro, manager of research and development for a large hog company in Spain, told the Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium in Saskatoon that global pork consumption has risen by an average of 2.4 percent a year for the last decade and will top […] Read more
Stories by Michael Raine
Pig disease back in action
PVC2 is alive and well in 2005. Porcine circovirus 2 has already reduced Quebec’s slaughter hog production by 10 percent this year.The disease was first identified in Saskatchewan in 1995. John Harding of the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine told the Saskatchewan Pork Symposium on Nov. 8 that the virus’s infection cycle […] Read more
Vice squad targets pig pen problems
Biting, chewing and suckling are the sins of the pig world. Known as vices, these aggressive behaviours are unrelated to herd hierarchy and often harm other animals. Left to their own devices, and given proper resources, pigs don’t spend much time chewing or mouthing each other. But place them in close quarters indoors and they […] Read more
Live BSE testing in the works
A Canadian researcher believes his company may have a reliable method of live BSE testing. “I know there have been a lot of companies make the claim of having a live test and then you hear nothing. We have a successful test and it works repeatedly,” said George Adams, president and chief executive officer of […] Read more
M.J. rodeo postponed
Hogtown might not be much of a cow town, but it proved too much for a Saskatchewan rodeo to handle. Organizers of an annual harvest rodeo in Moose Jaw, Sask., say they learned on Oct. 13 that a first-time rodeo scheduled for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto is to be held on Nov. […] Read more
VIDO head wins science award
A veteran Saskatoon researcher has won a prestigious science prize for his contributions to the development of pharmaceuticals in Canada. Lorne Babiuk, director of the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Centre, is the recipient of the Prix Galien Canada Research Award. The award is given to researchers and products that have made a […] Read more
Auction marts pleased with calf prices this fall
LLOYDMINSTER – Calf prices have held up well this fall in Saskatchewan and Alberta auctions. Markets report the highest volumes of cattle since the fall of 2002 despite a tight supply of trucks and an ongoing strike at the Lakeside meat packing plant in Brooks, Alta. Good quality 600-700 pound steer calves through September and […] Read more
Harvest drags on in Alberta
Alberta’s advantage wasn’t playing out last week as it was bypassed in harvest progress by the other two prairie provinces and northeastern British Columbia. “We’ve got lots of crop to choose from. Wet canola, damp wheat, soggy barley. It’s all here,” said Harry Brook, Alberta Agriculture crop specialist in Stettler, Alta. “On the up side […] Read more
Group claims poultry abuse
Images of poorly managed chickens allegedly from a southern Ontario poultry farm are making news across Canada. The Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals, a Toronto based animal rights organization, says a University of Guelph biology student entered poultry barns belonging to veterinarian Lloyd Weber and recorded images that the CCFA claims show practices that are […] Read more
Alfalfa plant closes due to factors ‘beyond control’
Tisdale Alfalfa Dehy Ltd. is closing after 35 years in the northeastern Saskatchewan community. A rising Canadian dollar, record high natural gas prices, subsidized European alfalfa and climbing rail freight rates have worked against the company, said board chair Jim Boxall. “Three years of losses and no end in sight. We are choosing to stop […] Read more
