RECAP: 47th annual Sask Pork Industry Symposium

For the 47th time in its history, the Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium has come to a close after another successful event.

This was the second year in a row with record attendance with more than 300 guests present for the two-day event in Saskatoon.

With the increase in attendees, there was a continued sign of optimism and growth in the room which led to a new number of exhibitors attending Symposium.

There were 25 booths displaying industry advances, a number no Symposium has witnessed before.

It was another exciting list of speakers headlined by Dr. Temple Grandin, Kevin Grier and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois providing industry insights and advice for producers to take home and apply to day-to-day production.

An update from the Canadian Pork Council and Executive Director Stephen Heckbert was refreshing to see how its recent lobby day in Ottawa went and what to expect when it came to the update on the Code of Practice. Heckbert reminded producers to share feedback in what they would like to see put in the update.

Another highlight that left many attendees looking for more was the meat-cutting demonstration put on by Canada Pork and butcher Peter Braada from J & G Quality Meats on the second day. The 30-minute session gave guests a new outlook on how to prepare and present different cuts of pork.

Our Awards of Distinction was another opportunity to recognize fantastic accomplishments and success in the pork industry.

This year two awards were handed out.

First, Sunnydale Colony and Peter Gross were given the Environmental Stewardship Award for their work on using new technology for manure injection in the field as fertilizer.

Sunnydale has demonstrated its commitment to environmental sustainability and dedication to our pork industry. It’s also an example that our pork producers in this province are committed to raising a safe, sustainable, affordable, and socially responsible product.

Then Florian Possberg was given a Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades-long contribution to the Saskatchewan pork industry.

Starting in Humboldt in 1976, he grew his 60 sow hog operation into a successful business that later expanded into a provincial leader and powerhouse.

Possberg’s presence wasn’t just felt in the barn, but left a positive impact on everyone he worked with outside of the barn and with his wife and family.

His presence continues today and uses his knowledge to make the pork sector a better place.

Sask Pork and the advisory committee is grateful for the amazing support from all of our sponsors and the staff at the Saskatoon Inn, without them we would not be able to put on such an event.

The planning and organization for the 48th annual Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium is already in the works and can’t wait to see everyone on November 4-5, 2025.