Preliminary indications are that the bacteria in the gut influences the health of piglets. As part of research being conducted by the Universities of Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Guelph in partnership with Swine Innovation Porc and other private partners, scientists are investigating the gut microbiome of the pig in an effort to identify beneficial and detrimental bacteria.

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.

A partner with Polar Pork Farms is suggesting a return to more normal weather conditions and improved grain production will be critical to stabilizing global food supplies.

Sask Pork is encouraging the public to immediately report wild boar and other feral pig sightings. Earlier this week, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture has introduced enhanced measures to control feral pigs, including a moratorium on new commercial wild boar farms, developing regulations for licensing existing farms and enhancing surveillance and control.

Sixty guests staying at Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon while their children undergo medical treatment had a meal of Saskatchewan pulled pork, thanks to a partnership between Prairie Meats and Sask Pork.

Sask Pork is applauding new measures brought forward today by the Government of Saskatchewan to regulate, monitor and control wild boar and feral pigs in the province. The Ministry of Agriculture announced that it is developing regulations for licensing existing commercial wild boar farms and imposing a moratorium on new farms. Regulations for wild boar/feral pigs will also be developed under The Pest Control Act.

A swine diagnostic service launched just under one year ago is helping swine veterinarians use diagnostic results to formulate treatment strategies. Last May the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and Prairie Diagnostic Services, both located on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan, partnered in the launch of a new swine diagnostic extension service.

The Chair of Sask Pork says among the organization's priorities during the coming year will be industry development, producer services, public relations and research.

The Chair of Sask Pork says the cross-border vaccine mandate is making accessing feed imports from the United States difficult at a time when supplies in western Canada are tight due to last year's drought.

Canada’s Agriculture Day returns on February 22 and Sask Pork is encouraging the Saskatchewan pork industry to participate. The yearly national event was created to showcase what’s happening in the agriculture industry, show consumers where their food comes from, and introduce them to the people who produce it.

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.

Saskatchewan success with group sow housing was highlighted at the 50th Banff Pork Seminar last week. Daryl Possberg, General Manager of Polar Pork Farms, was one of three panelists who spoke at a breakout session on group sow housing at the two day annual conference earlier this month.

Sask Pork has announced its 2021-23 provincial Board of Directors. At the first meeting of the Board of Directors held this week in Saskatoon, directors elected the 2021-23 Executive. Toby Tschetter was elected Chair, Jay McGrath was elected Vice-Chair and John Beckton will hold the Audit Chair position.

A partner with Polar Pork Farms says health status will be key in determining the economic strength of Saskatchewan's pork sector in the coming year. Amid feed costs that are more than double those of one year ago, lower global swine production resulting from losses due to African Swine Fever and herd reductions due to low returns have reduced global pork supplies.

Saskatchewan is stepping up its screening efforts as the Manitoba pork industry continues to deal with rising cases of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED). Since October 25th, 22 swine operations in Manitoba have been confirmed to have PED, a highly contagious virus that causes severe dehydration, vomiting and diarrhea in pigs.

A White City family took home top honours and bragging rights at Canadian Western Agribition’s newest event, BBQ Supreme. The professionally judged grilling competition, sponsored by Sask Pork and sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, attracted teams from across Western Canada. Arrowhead North BBQ, will have a chance to compete at the American Royal barbecue championship

New research conducted by the Prairie Swine Centre shows pork producers can reduce their carbon footprint by adding wheat by-products to their ration formulations. With the support of Sask Pork, researchers have been evaluating the inclusion in swine diets of high fibre wheat by-products left over from the processing of wheat for human consumption.

The Canada West Swine Health Intelligence Network (CWISHN) is encouraging pork producers to report any incidents of sudden death to their herd veterinarians and request rule out testing for African Swine Fever. CWISHN Manager Dr. Jette Christensen says veterinarians in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta have reported Strep suis, sudden death, and septicemia this fall.

A research Scientist Ethology with the Prairie Swine Centre says the choice and location of enrichments provided to pigs will differ, depending on the type and stage of growth of the pigs. Dr. Jennifer Brown, a Research Scientist Ethology with the Prairie Swine Centre, shared her new research at Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium 2021.

Sask Pork has pledged $1,000 to the newly launched “Help Our BC Farm Families” GoFundMe Page, which was created today to support British Columbia’s farmers and livestock producers in the Fraser Valley, which has been hard hit by devastating floods this week.