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
Tag Archives hogs
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
Manitoba rewrites hog barn regulations
Manitoba is removing “impractical and costly” regulations in an effort to revive its hog industry. This morning, Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler announced changes to rules for farm buildings, which should simplify the construction and renovation of hog barns. Dan Mazier, Keystone Agricultural Producers president, praised the regulatory change. “KAP is extremely pleased with this announcement […] Read more
Hog explosion threatens profits
The U.S. growth in production is not keeping pace with exports, and analyst warns of a price correction
CALGARY — China and the United States are both increasing hog production, and that has major implications for the Canadian pork industry, says an agricultural analyst. Brett Stuart, chief executive officer of Global AgriTrends in Denver, predicts that China will add 1.7 million tonnes of pork production next year and reduce its imports as a […] Read more
Pampered Canadian pigs feed Japan’s hunger for pricey pork
WINNIPEG/TOKYO (Reuters) — Thousands of pigs bound for Japan are getting five-star treatment on select Canadian farms. Japan’s growing appetite for pricey pork cuts is driving Canadian and U.S. fresh pork exports to record levels, spurring producers to use every advantage to gain market share. Most of Olymel’s pigs eat pedestrian wheat and barley fare, […] Read more
New stuff: feeder, heater, air meter
Automated Production Systems recently debuted its wet-dry feeder, a modulating heater and a positive air displacement ventilation system at World Pork Expo in Des Moine, Iowa. The new technology is designed to foster hog health by improving the environment within the pig barn, said Brian Rieck, product manager at APS. HI2LO wet/dry feeder Rieck said […] Read more
Hog barn fire ‘could have been much worse’
The cause of this fire has not been determined, but here are some preventive tips:
A hog farm north of Leroy, Sask., is redistributing its stock after a June 18 inferno demolished two barns. The structural fire killed about 4,500 pigs after nearly 30 firefighters battled the blaze for more than three hours. “The neighbour across the road reported it and then called me, so I was first on site,” […] Read more
U.S. to go whole hog on expansion
It’s back to boom times in the U.S. hog industry. Hundreds of new barns could be built this year, and new packers are springing up like crocuses. “We’ve got a lot of excitement in our area from the amount of new packing plants coming online,” Bill Tentinger, an Iowa Pork Producers Association board member, said […] Read more
New canola variety could open up livestock feed market
Feed trials have confirmed that a new canola trait developed by Dow AgroSciences results in a meal that can be substituted for soybean meal in hog and poultry diets. “This really gives us a way to reposition canola,” said Dave Dzisiak, commercial leader of grains and oils with Dow. “It really opens a brand new […] Read more
