Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium 2023
The 46th annual Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium returned to Saskatoon on November 7-8, 2023 where 270 attendees experienced two amazing days of inspiring speakers from countries around the world.
A big thank you to all of our attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and staff to make Sask Pork Symposium 2023 successful.
Please visit our archive page to view some of the speakers from the event .
Mark your calendars as the 47th annual Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium will take place on November 4-5, 2024.
Practical take home advice. Live sessions. Best practices. The latest industry trends. New research and innovation.
2023 Symposium Sponsors
Premium Sponsors
Event Sponsors
AcuFast Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
Leroy Feeds Ltd. Merck Animal Health
TD Agriculture Services Warman Veterinary Services
Universal Sponsors
Automated Production Barentz
Banh & Associates Immigration Services CBS Bio Platforms
Connect OnFarm Fortified Nutrition Limited
Kemin Masterfeeds an Alltech Company
Topigs Norsvin VIDO
WCVM SMART Program Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition
Zoetis
Media Sponsors
Interested in sponsorship opportunities or an exhibitor booth at Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium? Contact priley@saskpork.com for the Sponsorship Package.
Speakers Bios
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Filipe Masetti Leite
Long-rider, best-selling author & filmmaker
Filipe Masetti Leite is a renowned Long Rider, award-winning journalist, and best-selling author who achieved the distinction of being the youngest person in the world to cross the Americas on horseback. Over an eight-year journey that spanned 12 nations and more than 25,000 kilometers, Filipe experienced firsthand the beauty and hardship of daily life on this planet. He encountered droughts, grizzlies, snakes, and the deadly impact of the drug trade, but also saw the kindness of people who had nothing but offered a place to sleep and pasture for his horses.
Born to modest ranchers, Filipe understands the entrepreneurial spirit and has had the immigrant experience, living in both Brazil and Canada. He is a strong advocate for mental health, the children’s cancer hospital in Barretos, Brazil, and the horse as a metaphor for success and the path to happiness. His personal journey led him from boy to man to national hero and back again from PTSD, where he had to climb back on the horse and take a new journey inward. He completed his journey by closing the loop where it all began, from Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina.
In 2020, Filipe was chosen as the Calgary Stampede’s Grand Marshal and white-hatted by Mayor Naheed Nenshi. He is the author of the bestselling books Long Ride Home and Long Ride to the End of the World, soon to be released in Spanish, and is writing his third memoir, Last Long Ride.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Brett Stuart
Analyst & Economist
Brett Stuart is the president of Global AgriTrends. The firm was organized in 2006 and provides global market research, analysis and forecasting to a variety of clients around the world. He was formerly the lead economist for the U.S. Meat Export Federation. He has conducted numerous research and analysis projects in the global meat trade area as well as advising government representatives on international protein trade issues. Mr. Stuart has conducted on-the-ground agriculture industry research for a variety of clients on six continents.
Brett was raised on a cattle ranch operating in Utah and Wyoming. He received an undergraduate degree in accounting at Utah State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Nebraska. He and his wife Amanda live with their kids on a small farm near Preston, Idaho.
Steve Clarke
Farm Energy Consultant
Steve Clarke was the provincial engineering specialist for on-farm energy systems, energy efficiency, and conservation, for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) for 15 years out of his approximate 37 years with government.
Steve Clarke has presented at speaking engagements across North America and has published numerous fact sheets, info sheets, papers, and press articles on agriculture engineering issues. He has worked with the Conservation and Demand Management Team and was able to maintain & increase energy incentives for agriculture to provide over $30 million dollars in energy incentives for the agricultural sector. Steve is the recipient of the 2007 Canadian Society for Bioengineering John Clark Award for his contributions in the fields of Electric Power and Processing, and Energy. He graduated from the University of Guelph in Engineering in 1978. Steve currently works as an Energy Engineer consultant.
Alfonso Bolarin Guillen
Senior Manager, AcuFast
Alfonso Bolarin Guillen is the Senior Manager of Reproductive R&D at AcuFast. Previously he served as Senior Researcher in the Reproduction Department of the University of Zaragoza for two years, focusing on semen quality and its relationship with field fertility. With 19 years of expertise in the swine reproduction, particularly in boar semen production, quality assessment, research and development, Alfonso brings a wealth of experience to his role.
Alfonso holds a Ph.D. in Swine Reproductive Sciences from the University of Murcia, where he studied Veterinary Sciences under the guidance of Dr. Jordi Roca and Dr. Emilio Martinez. His doctoral research concentrated on enhancing the fertility and prolificacy of cryopreserved boar spermatozoa through deep intrauterine insemination. Throughout his career, he actively participated in six nationally-funded research projects and co-authored over 20 scientific papers.
Originally from Murcia, Spain, Alfonso now resides in Saskatoon, SK with his wife, three children, and two dogs. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, playing board games, and has a passion for ancient music, having previously sung as a tenor in a specialized choir.
Julia Keenliside
DVM MSc., Veterinary Consultant
Dr. Keenliside is a veterinary consultant from Edmonton, Alberta. Julia holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and a Master of Science (MSc) in Veterinary Epidemiology from the University of Guelph. Her research interests have focused on livestock production and One Health issues such as animal health surveillance, emergency response to disease outbreaks, zoonotic diseases, foodborne diseases, and swine diseases. She is author and co-author of numerous scientific and government publications including a book chapter influenza in animals.
Dr. Keenliside worked as a swine disease specialist and epidemiologist for the provincial government of Alberta for 25 years. Her responsibilities included setting animal health policies, enforcing animal health regulations and developing programs in addition to research and extension. She served as a member of several national and regional programs such as the Canadian Pork Council’s On Farm Food Safety Program (CQA), the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System (CAHSS) and the Canada West Swine Health Intelligence Network (CWSHIN). She is trained in the Incident Command System (ICS) and participated in several emergency responses to disease outbreaks in swine and poultry during her government career.
In 2020, Julia retired from the provincial government and began working part time as a consultant. Julia’s recent projects include working for Politikos Research and SWSHIN on topics such as African Swine Fever risk modelling and Load-Out Biosecurity.
In her spare time Julia can usually be found hiking, biking or skiing in the mountains with her husband Ray, or creating paintings of her travels in her studio.
Cathy Lennon
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Cathy Lennon is the General Manager of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Ontario’s largest general farm organization, representing more than 38,000 farm family business members across the province.
An early career position as a Coop Student with the Agricultural Adaptation Council ignited her passion for working for and with farmers. Over the last two decades, she has held senior positions with Ontario Sheep Farmers, Agricorp, Farm Credit Canada and Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers before joining the OFA in 2019.
Cathy is a director on the Ontario Chamber of Commerce board, treasurer of the Poultry Industry Council, Community Director on 4H Ontario and chair of the Curriculum Advisory Committee for the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program. She is a graduate of Fanshawe College, the University of Waterloo and the advanced agricultural leadership program. In her free time, she and her daughter Kate are involved in showing sport horses, heavy horses and love to travel.
Michael von Massow
Department of Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics, University of Guelph
Mike is an Professor in the Department of Food, Agricultural, and Resource Economics at the University of Guelph and the OAC Chair in Food Systems Leadership. He joined the University of Guelph in 2010 upon completing his PhD. He worked in a variety of operations and marketing roles in the agri-food industry before going back into academic life and beginning his Doctoral studies in pricing strategy. He also spent time working as a management consultant and policy researcher. His industry experience informs both his teaching and his research program. Mike is interested in how people think about food with recent work focusing on labeling, alternative proteins, novel food products, animal welfare and antibiotic use. Mike's research also considers the structure and performance of food value chains, including farm practices, as they evolve in response to changing consumer preferences and other factors. Mike speaks frequently to a variety of groups about issues relating to food and food production. He has written for the Globe and Mail and other publications and is often quoted on radio and in the media. As a frequent blogger with a strong presence on broadcast, print and social media, Mike committed to sharing research and perspective in a manner that helps to inform public policy and private strategy. Mike has also introduced his FoodFocus Podcast to discuss issues of interest in the food space.
Clinton Monchuk
Executive Director, Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan
Clinton Monchuk grew up on a mixed dairy, beef and grain family farm outside of Lanigan, Saskatchewan. He received his Bachelors of Science in Agriculture majoring in Agricultural Economics from the University of Saskatchewan and Masters of Business Administration in Agriculture from the University of Guelph. Clinton has enjoyed numerous roles across Canada, the United States and Mexico as a researcher, educator, manager, economist and director of trade policy.
In 2016 Clinton accepted the role of Executive Director with Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan to promote farming and ranching to consumers. Clinton understands the value of increasing public trust in agriculture and actively promotes engagement between the agriculture industry and consumers. He also gives back to the agriculture community as a board member, serving on the Agri-Food Council of Saskatchewan and Pound-Maker Agventures Ltd. Clinton, Laura and their children Jackson and Katelyn, continue to be active partners on their family grain and layer farm in Saskatchewan and cattle ranch in Oklahoma.
Dr. Frank Novak
Managing Director, Alberta Pig Company & Sunhaven Farms
Dr. Frank Novak is the Managing Director of Alberta Pig Company and the Sunhaven Farms system, an independent hog production group with 14,000 sows producing about 300,000 market hogs per year. Born and raised in Alberta, Frank has a BSc in Agriculture from the University of Alberta majoring in Animal Science, as well as a Msc Agricultural Economics. He also has a PhD in Agricultural Economics from the University of Illinois. Frank was a Faculty Member in the Department of Rural Economy from 1989-1999 specializing in Finance and Risk Management.
Frank lives near Sherwood Park, Alberta with his wife Jeanne. Their two sons are respectively studying law in Alberta and fighting forest fires in BC. Other than his family, his main passion is the training and trialing of German Shepherd Dogs in the unpronounceable sport of Schutzhund. If he is not in his office or the training field, check the Village of Bamfield on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.
Jennifer Patterson
Swine Industry Liason, Livestock GenTec
Jennifer Patterson obtained her MSc in Animal Science from the University of Alberta where she is currently a Research Associate and the Swine Industry Liaison for Livestock Gentec. This involves developing research projects that address current industry challenges and providing continued support to producers to implement results at the farm level, putting “science into practice”. Jennifer has worked with many pig industry groups around the world and her current focus is on gilt management to improve sow lifetime productivity and retention. She also loves working with farm production data, through which powerful insights can be developed to make data-driven decisions that positively affect overall herd performance.
Mike Shaw
Director Genetics Services, Topigs Norsvin Canada
Mike Shaw is the Director Genetic Services for Topigs Norsvin Canada. Originally from the UK, he has a B.Sc. in Animal Science from Leeds University and an M.Sc. in Pig Production from Aberdeen University. After graduating, he worked in both the UK and France for a swine genetics company and then emigrated to Canada over 20 years ago to continue working in the swine genetics industry for GAP Genetics, part of Maple Leaf Foods.
Mike moved to Topigs Norsvin as part of the acquisition of Maple Leaf Foods Genetics Division in 2009, where he continued to oversee the Canadian genetics, production and research team, as well as support Key Accounts.
In 2017/2018, he managed the $15m Delta Canada project in Woodlands, Manitoba from conception to completion. He is also the project manager for the Innova Canada project, the construction of a new 1600 Z line Genetic Nucleus that is part of the Delta Canada genetic program. Mike is responsible for overseeing the planning, the construction, the populating of the barns as well as the recruitment of 25 new staff. With the completion of Innova, there the operation will include over 3000 nucleus sows and over 70 people working in the genetic, production and research department in Canada.
Outside of work, Mike likes to travel, cook and be outdoors; hiking, running and camping. He lives in Manitoba, near Winnipeg, with his wife Jan, and 2 daughters, Aimee and Zoe.
Kendall Weger
Technical Services Specialist, PIC
Kendall Weger is a Technical Services Specialist at PIC with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Born and raised in the Midwest and degreed in Animal Science at California Polytechnic State University, she has 10 years of sow farm production experience between Smithfield, in Missouri and as a sow farm manager and sow production supervisor at Dykhuis Farms in Michigan. She supports PIC customers in the US and Canada at the sow farm level with a focus in reproduction to help improve production and cost effectiveness.
Jennifer Woods
J. Woods Livestock Services
An Animal Care and Welfare specialist based out of Alberta, Canada, Woods obtained her undergraduate degree in Animal Science at Colorado State University and her Masters degree in Veterinary Preventative Medicine - Animal Welfare from Iowa State University. She has over 25 years experience with production livestock and has been collaborating with the livestock industry in all aspects of animal welfare and care since 1998. She has been a professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO) certified auditor for all five species groups since 2007. Her areas of expertise include euthanasia, animal handling and behavior, animal welfare auditing and assessing (slaughter, farm, feedlot and transportation), livestock emergency response, transportation and facility design. Jennifer’s work has taken her all over North America, across Europe, South America, into Asia and down to Australia. Her work has been used globally to audit, train and improve farm animal welfare.
Conference Agenda
November 7, 2023
7:15am - Registration & Breakfast
8:25am - Welcome to Symposium
8:30am - KEYNOTE ADDRESS: The Cowboy Way to Success with long-rider, best-selling author & filmmaker Filipe Masetti Leite
9:30am - Day 1 Piglet Care: Get the Biggest Bang for your Buck with Kendall Weger with PIC
10:15am - Networking & Refreshment Break
10:45am - Practical Tips to Improve Your Load Out: The CWSHIN Loadout Project with Julia Keenliside
11:30am - Why Pigs Do What They Do, Not What We Want Them To Do with Jennifer Woods of J Woods Livestock Services
12:15pm - Lunch
1:15pm - Why Sharing Your Farm Story Matters with Clinton Monchuk of Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan
2:15pm - CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Setting Gilts up for a Long Productive Life with Jenny Patterson from Livestock Gentech
Graduate Students Research Highlights
3:00pm - Networking & Refreshment Break
3:30pm - CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Everything You Need to Know to Improve Your Barn’s Energy Efficiency with Steve Clarke of Clarke & Associates
The Future of Farming: Advancements Reshaping the Swine Industry with Dr. Alfonso Bolarin Guillen from AcuFast
Dinner & Banquet
5:00pm - Reception
6:30pm - Evening Program
7:45pm - Awards of Distinction
Jazz Trio entertainment by Danceland DJs
November 8
7:15am - Registration & Breakfast
8:00am - KEYNOTE ADDRESS: What’s Next for the Global Pork Market with Economist Brett Stuart from Global AgriTrends (sponsored by Olymel)
9:00am - Cybersecurity for your Farm with Cathy Lennon from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture
9:45am - Networking & Refreshment Break
10:15am - How to Maximize Profits & Lower Costs with Frank Novak of the Alberta Pig Company & Sunhaven Farms
11:00am -Re-imaging Employee Recruitment & Retention with Mike Shaw from Topigs Norsvin Canada
11:45am - What Consumers Know, What They Don’t Know, and Why it Matters with Michael von Massow from the University of Guelph
12:30pm - Take-Away Express Lunch
Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium Ends
1:30pm - Sask Pork Annual General Meeting
Host Hotel
As the host hotel for Symposium 2023, a block of rooms is reserved at the Saskatoon Inn & Conference Centre at 2002 Airport Drive. Call 1-800-667-8789 or book directly with the hotel at 306-242-1440.
2023 Symposium Committee
Miles Beaudin - Hypor Inc. Kevin Brooks - Olymel
Lindsay Case - PIC Alain Dumuk - Sunhaven Farms
Mark Ferguson - Sask Pork Ken Friesen - Merck Animal Health
Sarah Heppner - AcuFast Ravneet Kaur - Sask Pork
Steffen Klenk - PIC Brad Marceniuk - SK Ministry of Agriculture
Murray Pettitt - Prairie Swine Centre Jessica Podhordeski - Sask Pork
Lynn Redl-Huntington - Sask Pork Patty Riley - Sask Pork
John Sawatzky - Topigs Norsvin Canada Toby Tschetter - Star City Farming