International cooperation contributes to progress in dealing with feral pigs in Western Canada

The Veterinary Counselor with the Canadian Pork Council reports efforts on both sides of the Canada U.S. border to control wild pigs are showing success. As part of the Transboundary Feral Swine Summit, delegates discussed the damage being done and the risks posed by feral wild pigs and efforts to bring their populations under control.

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Feed grain prices expected to determine hog market profitability this winter

The Director of Risk Management with HAMS Marketing Services says profitability in the swine sector through this winter and into early spring will depend largely on feed grain prices. The cash hog supply has tightened due to typical seasonal trends combined with lower growth performance due to the hot weather, especially in the U.S. Midwest, and that has pushed cash hog prices to some of the highest levels seen in years.

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Grower-finisher pigs can be stimulated to engage in play

Research conducted by the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, in partnership with the Prairie Swine Center with funding provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and 14 industry partners, indicates grower-finisher pigs can be stimulated to engage in play.

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War in Ukraine jeopardizes global food security, says Saskatchewan pork producer

A Partner with Polar Pork Farms suggests global food security is being jeopardized by the war in Ukraine. A combination of factors including shortages of locally produced feed grains due to last year's drought, transportation challenges due to COVID and generally higher global grain prices due to the war in Ukraine has pushed grain prices to record levels.

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Intrauterine vaccination offers needle-free alternative to protecting pigs from PEDv

The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) reports the use of intrauterine vaccination as an alternative to needles to protect sows, gilts and their piglets from PED is showing promise. Researchers with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and VIDO are exploring the use of intrauterine vaccination as an alternative to needles.

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Pork industry applauds ground pork and beef exemption from front of package labelling requirements

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced the finalized Front-of-Package labelling regulations today, which are part of the Government of Canada’s Healthy Eating Strategy. In the finalized regulations, ground pork and ground beef are exempt from the requirement of having a front-of-package warning label.

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Record high feed grain prices expected to drive up meat prices, says Saskatchewan pork producer

A Partner with Polar Pork Farms says that if the price of feed grain remains at its current high level, consumers can expect higher meat prices. A combination of factors including shortages of locally produced feed grains due to last year's drought, transportation challenges due to COVID and generally higher global grain prices due to the war in Ukraine has pushed grain prices to record levels.

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Pork producers call for exemptions from mandatory front-of-package nutrition labelling for ground meat

Saskatchewan's pork producers are calling on the federal government to follow the lead of other countries and exempt ground pork and beef from proposed front-of-package labeling that would require symbols indicating products are high in fat, sugar or sodium.

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Saskatchewan project tests technology to improve biosecurity and reduce disease spread

A Saskatchewan pilot project is testing new technologies that will help pork producers improve biosecurity and protect their herds from disease. Farm Health Guardian and Sask Pork are collaborating to trial truck movement recording technologies at over 20 swine farms or businesses in the province.

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Pork producers around the world expected to benefit from new Saskatchewan vaccine research

Pork producers around the world are expected to be the main beneficiaries of research aimed at developing new subunit vaccines to protect pigs from a common bacteria that reduces the ability of the intestines of pigs to absorb nutrients, resulting in slower weight gain.

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Sask Pork highlights career possibilities in hog industry for high school students

Sask Pork is highlighting career possibilities in the hog industry thanks to a new Canadian partnership. Several Saskatchewan agricultural organizations, including Sask Pork, are bringing regional agriculture programming to ChatterHigh, a gamified content engagement platform used by students across Canada and the U.S.

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Livestock transportation emergencies require a team effort, says Director of Emergency Response

The Director of Saskatchewan Agriculture's Emergency Response and Inspection Unit says the main focus when dealing with a livestock transportation emergency is safety. "Livestock Transportation Emergencies Require a Team Effort," with Trent Catley is the topic of this week’s Sask Pork Spring Seminar Series slated for Thursday, May 5 at 1:30pm.

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