A survey of the needs of small-scale pig producers is leading to the development of improved educational resources for the entire pork sector. Scientists with Prairie Swine Centre, in collaboration with Swine Innovation Porc, the Canadian Pork Council and the provincial pork organizations, including Sask Pork, conducted a study of small-scale swine producers on their knowledge and application of biosecurity practices to prevent disease.

A swine nutritionist with the University of Saskatchewan says, if flow issues can be resolved, pea starch can provide an excellent source of energy in swine rations. Research conducted by the University of Saskatchewan in partnership with the Prairie Swine Center and the Canadian Feed Research Centre in North Battleford showed pigs fed pelleted rations containing 40 percent pea starch grew really well with great feed efficiency.

An independent economic analysis has demonstrated money allocated to pork research in Canada is win-win for the pork sector and for government, finding the resulting advances improved the sector's productivity by three and a half percent. The analysis found the research is leading to better outcomes and technologies, such as new vaccines, improved genetics, better feeding strategies and better product quality, to name just a few.

Research conducted on behalf of Swine Innovation Porc indicates, in addition to influencing growth, the inclusion of amino acids in swine rations can influence gut health, gut development and immune function.

The 45th annual Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium returned as a live event for the first time in three years this past week at the Saskatoon Inn and Convention Centre. Nearly 300 hog farmers, industry stakeholders and partners attended from across Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec for the two-day event held on November 15-16th.

Sask Pork honoured two local swine experts with Saskatchewan Pork Industry Awards of Distinction at the 45th annual Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium this week. Researcher Dr. Jennifer Brown with Prairie Swine Centre (PSC) and veterinarian Dr. Josh Lindenbach received top honours from the hog industry at the Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium dinner and Awards of Distinction on November 15th at the Saskatoon Inn and Conference Centre.

Research conducted by the Prairie Swine Centre shows a dramatic reduction in antibiotic usage on swine farms following Raised Without Antibiotics production practices. Dr. Bernardo Predicala, a Research Scientist Engineering with the Prairie Swine Center, shared his research at the 45th annual Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium 2022 in Saskatoon.

Researchers with the University of Saskatchewan are examining the value of processing using heat and steam to reduce the toxicity of ergot in feed grains. Ergot is a fungal disease that infects cereal grains and produces toxins that will impact the performance of pigs.

The Western College of Veterinary Medicine and the Prairie Swine Centre, with support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and 14 industry partners, are exploring the prospects of using play to improve the emotional well being of pigs and improve their resilience and performance.

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.

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.

Researchers are examining possible role of particle size and feed outages on the incidence of gastric ulcers in pigs. Extremely finely ground feed ingredients have been shown to contribute to gastric ulcers in pigs and there's evidence that ingredients like pea starch can cause diets to bind in the equipment, resulting in feed outages.

A research scientist with the Prairie Swine Center says swine barn operators can reduce the volume of water wasted that ends up in the manure pit by optimizing the flow rates of nipple drinkers. This can dramatically reduce the cost of manure processing.

Research conducted by the University of Saskatchewan and the Prairie Swine Centre suggests rye can be used as a replacement in swine rations for corn, wheat or barley.