Saskatchewan-connected research on hair analysis finds new way to test stress in pigs

An international research effort, with ties to Saskatchewan, is looking at the potential of measuring hormone levels in the hair of pigs to identify genetic lines that will be less affected by stress. Researchers with Iowa State University, the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Alberta and CDPQ are collaborating on a project under which the levels of three stress hormones in the hair of pigs are being measured to evaluate the effect of stress on performance and on disease resilience.

Saskatchewan-developed strep zoo vaccine ready for commercialization

Pig heard health is about to improve in a big way, thanks to a new vaccine developed by the Western College of Veterinary Medicine to prevent Strep zoo and avoid treatment with antibiotics. Streptococcus equii zooepidemicus, or Strep zoo, is a difficult to diagnose bacterial disease that can cause sudden death without warning, or soon after pigs develop fever and go off feed, but, in either instance mortality rates will be high. In response, researchers with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine have created a new vaccine to prevent the infection.

Researchers work to replace antibiotics with probiotics in nursery pigs

A multi-institutional team of scientists is conducting research aimed at replacing antibiotics with probiotic bacteria to combat diarrhea in nursery pigs. In response to public concerns over antibiotic use in livestock production and the potential for antibiotic resistance, scientists with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the University of Saskatchewan, University of Manitoba, and the University of Guelph, with funding from Swine Innovation Porc, are working to develop viable alternatives to antibiotics in nursery pigs.

Early detection and treatment of disease increases prospects of survival, says Sask Pork webinar guest

The CEO of Signature Swine Solutions says the quicker a pig is identified as sick and is treated, the less discomfort it will endure and the greater chance it will have at recovery. Sask Pork hosted the first in a series of three spring webinars yesterday, "Practical Pig Handling and Animal Care: Tips & Tricks." Mara Rozitis, the CEO of Signature Swine Solutions, told attendees that pigs will hide their disability so they are often quite far down the path of illness before they are identified as sick and receive treatment.

Sask Pork goes back to school to support Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month

Sask Pork is marking Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month with an educational blitz in classrooms across Saskatchewan. March marks the 12th year of Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM), a month-long initiative whereby the agricultural community takes to classrooms across the country to offer hands-on activities and programs for students. Sask Pork staff and volunteers visited 241 students in 9 classrooms across the province.

New cull sow slaughter plant promises multiple benefits, says Sask producer

A partner with Polar Pork Farms says a new Saskatchewan based cull sow slaughtering plant will reduce the cost of shipping sows to slaughter, minimize the risk of transmitting disease from one country to the other and avoid the complications that result from border closures.

High feed costs continue to erode pork sector profitability, says Saskatchewan producer

A partner with Polar Pork Farms says the conflict in Ukraine continues to influence feed grain prices contributing to reduced profitability for pork producers and higher food costs for consumers.

Sask Pork youth ambassador wants public to know how hard farmers work to bring food to their tables

Sask Pork's Whole Hog Youth Ambassador says the public needs to be aware that food doesn't just appear in the grocery store, it is produced through the hard work of farmers. Sask Pork’s Whole Hog Youth Ambassador Program, launched in January, is designed to bring youth into the discussion of how pork is produced and where our food comes from.

Dependence on exports makes preparing for foreign animal disease critical says Sask Pork GM

The General Manager of Sask Pork is suggesting the Canadian pork sector's dependence on exports makes the prevention and preparation for foreign animal disease critical.

Industry NewsGuest UserFebruary 27, 2023Sask Pork, Mark Ferguson, Farmscape, Bruce Cochrane, African Swine Fever, exports

Economic analysis shows Swine Cluster Research investment is a win-win for industry and government

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.

Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister highlights cooperation in foreign animal disease preparedness

Saskatchewan's Minister of Agriculture says the cull line being incorporated into the North 49 sow slaughtering plant in Moose Jaw provides the infrastructure to deal with market disruptions triggered by a foreign animal disease. In response to the threat of African swine fever, the Government of Saskatchewan and Sask Pork have committed $1 million swine disease mitigation, including adding a dedicated cull line into the North 49 processing facility.

Sask Pork Whole Hog youth ambassador outlines importance of public awareness for pork production

Sask Pork's Whole Hog Youth Ambassador says it's important for people to be more aware of where their food comes from and lots of other products too. Sask Pork’s just-launched The Whole Hog Youth Ambassador Program is a new agricultural education program designed to help share the story of pork production in spite of the biosecurity protocols that make communicating with consumers such a challenge.

North 49 Foods offers details on benefits of $1 million investment to prepare for foreign animal disease

With the support of the Saskatchewan Government and Sask Pork, North 49 Foods will be helping the western Canadian pork industry be better prepared to address foreign animal disease. The Government of Saskatchewan and Sask Pork have allocated $1 million to support the creation of a cull line at the North 49 Foods sow processing facility being built by Donald’s Fine Foods in Moose Jaw. Earlier this week, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit announced $700,000 in funding to support swine disease mitigation efforts with Sask Pork providing $300,000 towards a swine market disruption plan, which will help industry respond to potential market closures due to an animal health emergency.

Industry NewsGuest UserJanuary 20, 2023Sask Pork, Neil Ketilson, Donald's Fine Foods, North 49 Foods

Sask Pork announces first youth ambassador for the new "The Whole Hog" program

Sask Pork launched a new youth ambassador program today. The Whole Hog Youth Ambassador for 2023 will be 10-year-old Reise Podordeski of Marcelin, Saskatchewan. The Whole Hog videos will be released on the Sask Pork and Pick Pork social media channels and featured on the Sask Pork website. The videos will focus on basic consumer questions like “why do pigs usually live in barns” and more behind-the scenes content such as “what do pigs do for fun” and “why is the hog industry in Saskatchewan a big deal”.

Government of Saskatchewan and Sask Pork invest $1 million in swine disease preparedness

Today, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit announced $700,000 in funding to support swine disease mitigation efforts. Sask Pork will also be providing $300,000 towards a swine market disruption plan, which will help industry respond to potential market closures due to an animal health emergency event such as African swine fever.

Pork producers advised to lock-in futures prices as contacts reach record levels

The Director of Risk Management with HAMS Marketing Services is advising pork producers to take advantage of strong futures and lock in prices as new highs are established on a lot of the spring and summer month contracts. As a result of reduced slaughter hog supplies due to health challenges in the U.S., 2022 has been among the three most profitable years for pork producers over the past decade.

Industry NewsGuest UserJanuary 5, 2023H@ms Marketing, HAMS Marketing Services, Tyler Fulton, Sask Pork

Advance rather than reactionary planning is key for African swine fever

The Regional Director of PIC EMEAR suggests a key lesson learned from the European African Swine Fever experience has been the value of advanced rather than reactionary planning for dealing with an outbreak.
"African Swine Fever: Learning from the European Experience," was one of sessions at the Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium in November in Saskatoon.

Simple strategies can help reduce negative effects of stress for hog farmers

The creator of High Heels and Canola Fields says simple strategies can make a big difference when it comes to dealing with the everyday stresses that occur on the farm. "When Stress is More Than a Season" was the keynote address last month at the 45th annual Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium. Lesley Kelly, the creator of High Heels and Canola Fields, a mental wellness website, and a co-founder of Do More Ag, noted mental stress can result in physical symptoms but the signs will vary from person to person.

Farm Health Guardian provides update on progress with Saskatchewan pilot project

A study underway in Saskatchewan will provide pork producers in Saskatchewan a clearer idea of which swine transport vehicle movement tracking technology works best on their farms. Guelph-based Farm Health Guardian and Sask Pork are collaborating on a pilot project to assess the performance of technologies designed to track swine transport vehicle movements.

Effective farm safety plan reduces hazards and improves productivity

The Strategic Advisor Agriculture with Workplace Safety and Prevention Services suggests an effective farm safety plan that that eliminates hazards should improve both the safety and productivity of the farm.
"Farm Safety: The Top 10 Greatest Risk Factors and How to Avoid Injury" was among the topics examined during the 45th annual Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium last month in Saskatoon.

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