Pork producers must educate consumers about issues such as animal welfare and environmental sustainability, said an expert on global market research and forecasting at the Banff Pork Seminar. “We always say, ‘no, you’re wrong and here’s why, and we’re going to produce it (this) way,’ ” said Brett Stuart, president of Global AgriTrends based in […] Read more
Tag Archives hogs — page 4
Losses reported in Chinese hog sector
China’s hog producers are losing record amounts of money and are cutting back on soybean meal and corn, according to a news report. Farmers are losing an average of US$75 on every hog they slaughter, which is the worst loss on record, says a Reuters story. That compares to an average profit of $157 per […] Read more
Seneca Valley Virus growing problem in U.S.
Seneca Valley Virus, an illness in pigs, is on the rise in parts of the United States, and that should put Canadian hog producers on alert. Dr. Julia Keenliside, veterinary epidemiologist with Alberta Agriculture, said the U.S. reported 200 cases of SVV in 2015, but in 2017 there were 300 cases reported in Wisconsin alone. […] Read more
Study shows farmers are reducing antimicrobial use
Ontario hog farms that participated in a voluntary antimicrobial benchmarking project reduced their use of antimicrobials by 18 percent over two years. The results of the Ontario Pork Industry Council study show what can be done when farmers actually know their antimicrobial use and the practices of their peers, says Dr. Greg Wideman, a veterinarian […] Read more
Data gathering boosts swine efficiency
Daniel Roelands had little confidence in the accuracy of the numbers on his metered feed mill when it came to measuring swine feed volumes. So last year he and his family — he farms with his wife and parents near London, Ont. — replaced the mill with a new computerized one that works on weight […] Read more
Sizzling Canadian hog market waits on new US plants
WINNIPEG, June 2 (CNS) – Prices for Canadian hogs are enjoying a seasonal bump as consumers prepare for the summer grilling season. In Canada, the Signature #5 Maple Leaf Index daily price was listed at C$179.68 per 100 kilograms on May 26. That price was up $1.11 compared to the week previous, according to data […] Read more
VIDEO: Make hog barn conversion choices before 2024: expert
Waiting until 2023 to choose what to do with an old sow barn might be a bad decision. Mark Fynn, a Manitoba Pork Council animal care specialist, said numerous farmers will probably be replacing or renovating barns to beat the 2024 national open housing deadline, and there might not be enough construction companies available to […] Read more
Manitoba gov’t seeks to repeal hog barn moratorium
Manitoba’s hog barn moratorium might finally be purged, and a host of other farming challenges might become simpler if the provincial government has its way. The Red Tape Reduction and Government Efficiency Act would hit many areas of regulation and legislation that affect farmers, including: “remove general prohibitions from the Environment Act for the expansion […] Read more
Hog producers seek ways to trim energy costs
New study includes recommendations for energy-efficient boilers, larger or variable drive fans and LED lighting
A recent study of 38 Alberta hog operations showed energy costs could be trimmed by an average of 26 percent. Alberta Pork commissioned Dandelion Renewables, an energy consulting firm, to study hog barn energy costs and suggest potential ways for producers to reduce them. Steve Gladwin, director of engineering for the company, took inventories of […] Read more
‘Stay tuned’ for major hog barn changes
Manitoba’s government will soon introduce “major changes” in hog barn development, the province’s agriculture minister says. However, it won’t reveal details until it has finalized its lengthy policy development process. “Stay tuned,” Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler told reporters at Manitoba Ag Days in Brandon Jan.17. “Very soon you’ll see some major changes happening on that […] Read more
