Better Pork

Brandon, Manitoba – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada The governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing financial support to Manitoba Pork’s Squeal on Pigs campaign, part of Manitoba’s commitment under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, and provincial Minister of Agriculture, Ron Kostyshyn, announced today. As part of ongoing efforts by the Manitoba government to address invasive swine, the program will receive over $2.6 million of funding through Sustainable CAP. The Squeal on Pigs campaign is designed to help spread awareness of the significant issue of invasive wild pigs on Manitoba’s landscape and empowers Manitobans to spot wild pigs and report their movement. The goal of the Squeal on Pigs campaign is to identify where wild pigs are in Manitoba, control their spread and remove as many pigs as possible from the landscape. This campaign is a collaborative program between Manitoba Pork, Manitoba Agriculture, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Manitoba Economic Development, Industry, Trade and Natural Resources, as well as with other local and national organizations who have a stake in this issue. It is an important part of government and industry’s efforts to reduce transmission of animal diseases that could cause significant economic damage to Manitoba’s livestock industry. Manitobans are asked to report evidence of wild pig sightings or any signs of activity so that movements can be better tracked. Manitobans should not hunt wild pigs on their own, as hunting disperses wild pig populations over wider areas, changing movement patterns and harming control efforts, the ministers added.

Byline: Braxten Breen, Farms.com Intern Every farm has diverse landscapes, from uneven terrain, muddy fields, to gravel roads. The uneven terrain can often present challenges when transporting heavy loads, equipment, and supplies. In the farm industry, farmers have found the need for an all-terrain cart is paramount, with versatility, durability, reduced physical strain, all-terrain carts optimize productivity. The Rhino Cart by All Terrain Mover will ensure your productivity is optimized. Assembled with poly resin blend as the deck, two cross bars of steel, and eight urethane wheels, The Rhino cart offers one of the most rugged all-terrain carts on the market. With the ability to carry 2,000lbs, the Rhino Cart can conquer thresholds, uneven surfaces, hard pack dirt, and gravel roads at its maximum capacity. The length of the Rhino Cart can be adjusted, and the sides can be completely separated allowing for maximum flexibility when moving items on the farm. Farmers will be able to reduce physical strain by transporting anything up to 2,000lbs over any terrain with the Rhino Cart from All Terrain Mover.

Risk Management Intern 1. USDA’s Crop progress report will be released Monday April 29th which may show that 2024 U.S. corn and soybean planting may fall behind last year as the 10–14-day weather forecast remains too wet. But it will help both topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions as many regions remained too dry from the last three years. U.S. HRW country may miss out on the rains, and this is one reason why wheat futures have begun to surge. The 5-year average for next week for U.S. corn planting is 26 percent, soybeans 11 percent, cotton 14 percent, oats 52 percent and spring wheat 22 percent. Funds with their big grain and oilseed short positions will become concerned if the U.S. cannot plant 50 percent of the 2024 corn crop by May 13th and it could result in a lower U.S. corn and soybean yield in the June USDA crop report! 2. The U.S. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting is scheduled for May 1, 2024 and the U.S. Federal Reserveis expected to keep U.S. interest rates unchanged; but Q1 U.S. GDP came in at 1.6 percent below expectations and inflation remained sticky. In fact, the personal consumption expenditures price index, a key inflation variable for the Federal Reserve, rose at a 3.4 percent annualized pace for the quarter, its biggest gain in a year and up from 1.8 percent in the fourth quarter. Excluding food and energy, core PCE prices rose at a 3.7 percent rate, both well above the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target. Central bank officials tend to focus on core inflation as a stronger indicator of long-term trends. Lower than expected growth and higher than expected inflation is the worst of both worlds! 3. The U.S. Drought Monitor is scheduled for release on Thursday, May 2nd. The outlook for next week's drought monitor anticipates further positive developments as topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions continue to improve with additional precipitation expected across the Midwest in the next two weeks. Dryness will vanish in Michigan and the extreme drought in Iowa will be significantly reduced. Additionally, dryness and moderate droughts are diminishing across Wisconsin and Minnesota. Welcome news for very dry regions. 4. Keep an eye on the price of wheat as a surge in prices from fund short covering is hitting the headlines. Growing concerns over dry conditions in U.S. HRW country, frost and dry weather in Europe and Southern Russia and India wheat stocks dropping to a 16-year low down 25 percent year over year is waking up the wheat bulls. India is a “wildcard” but any wheat imports from India in 2024 could add to an already tightening global wheat balance sheet down for the fifth straight year not seen since the 2015/16 marketing year. 5. Keep an eye out for any spikes in crude oil prices on any headline news that the Middle East war has escalated again as Israel promises to attach Iran again. For daily information and updates on agriculture commodity marketing and price risk management for North American farmers, producers, and agribusiness visit the

PTx Trimble-owned Bilberry is a spot spraying system that is transforming herbicide application, offering farmers a cost-effective solution for weed management. This innovative system utilizes advanced cameras to identify weeds in the field accurately and spot sprays them in real-time. Farms.com spoke with Cory Buchs, Senior Product Director for Trimble about Bilberry. According to Buchs, by distinguishing between weeds and crops, Bilberry’s system ensures precise herbicide application, minimizing chemical usage and maximizing cost savings for farmers. The Bilberry system's efficacy lies in its ability to target weeds directly, reducing herbicide wastage and environmental impact. By triggering spraying only when weeds are detected, farmers can achieve up to 90% savings on herbicide costs, making it a sustainable and economical choice for weed control. Currently undergoing testing in multiple countries, Bilberry stands out for its compatibility with existing sprayers and application control systems, enabling farmers to adopt the technology without significant expenses. One of the key advantages of the Bilberry system is its ease of integration with existing farm equipment, allowing farmers to leverage the benefits of precision herbicide application without the need for costly machinery upgrades. PTx Trimble aims to make the Bilberry system accessible to farmers by offering comprehensive support through their network of dealers explains Buchs. Farmers can reach out to their local PTx Trimble dealer to learn more about adopting this technology and realizing its benefits on their farms. When it comes to herbicide reduction, this technology will be a game-changer for farmers. Especially as it is retrofittable on existing equipment. As agriculture embraces precision technologies, Buchs says that Bilberry will emerge as a valuable tool for optimizing herbicide application and maximizing farm profitability. Watch the video below to learn more about the Bilberry spot spraying system.

The B.C. government is making a multimillion-dollar investment in the province’s dairy industry. Premier David Eby and Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Minister Brenda Bailey on April 23 announced up to $25 million to support Vitalus Nutrition’s expansion. This funding will be used to assist the company expand its facility in Abbotsford to 143,500 square feet. That’s the size of almost two FIFA-regulated soccer fields. Construction at the Mount Lehman Road location is expected to begin this summer. The larger plant will also allow for more – 50 per cent more – processing capacity, bringing the total to 1.4 billion litres annually. To put that into perspective, an Olympic swimming pool can hold up to 4 million litres of water. In addition, the expanded facility will support the creation of about 100 jobs, and reduce B.C.’s reliance on products like butter, which is brought in from Eastern Canada. “Most B.C. dairy farms are local, family-run businesses that provide people with quality products they can enjoy with confidence,” Pam Alexis, B.C.’;s minister of agriculture and food, said in a statement. “This partnership will create more opportunities for B.C. milk products, more economic growth in our farming communities, and strengthen the food security and food-supply system in B.C. and Canada.”

The grain elevators at the Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre (CGED) in Nanton, Alta. are currently one of the top three vote getters in the Next Great Save contest. Voting in the contest, which the National Trust for Canada administers, started on April 18. In total, the contest awards $65,000 to communities to help with local landmark maintenance and preservation. The winner receives $50,000, second place gets $10,000 and the third-place prize is $5,000. As of April 25, the grain elevators are in third place with 9,162 votes. “We were the underdogs for a while and (on April 24) we moved up to third place and we’re really excited about that,” Leo Wieser, president of the CGED, told Farms.com. “But we can’t sit back now. We’re in this for the win, we need all the help we can get, and we encourage anyone to vote for us once a day, wherever they are in the world.” Ahead of the grain elevators is Our Lady of Mercy Heritage Church in Aguathuna, Nfld., with 10,212 votes. Currently sitting in first place is the LaSalle Theatre in Kirkland Lake, Ont., with 10,644 votes.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) expressed approval at the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) recent decision to postpone the launch of its new CARM (CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management) portal from May to October 2024. This decision comes as a relief to many small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in trade. CARM, once implemented, will be mandatory for all trade chain partners, demanding that all importers register and use this system for their international business transactions. Recent surveys by CFIB revealed that only about 25% of SMEs are currently registered with CARM, highlighting the challenges businesses face with the new system. Corinne Pohlmann, CFIB’s Executive Vice-President of Advocacy, emphasized the importance of this delay, noting that the learning curve associated with CARM is steep and the registration process complex. This complexity is daunting for smaller agri-businesses, many of which import infrequently and lack the resources to easily adapt to such significant system changes. The extension aims to prevent supply chain disruptions and delays at borders by allowing more time for SMEs to become familiar with and navigate the new system. CFIB advocates for ongoing support beyond the initial 180-day grace period proposed by the CBSA, stressing the need for comprehensive educational resources and more straightforward communication, particularly aimed at small businesses. Moreover, the CFIB has outlined several recommendations to improve the transition to CARM. These include enhancing CBSA communications, ensuring all policy changes targeting small businesses come with clear, actionable information, and providing alternative options for those who trade infrequently, such as utilizing brokers for their importing needs. To further assist businesses in understanding and preparing for the new system, CFIB plans to host educational webinars in both English and French, scheduled for late April 2024. These sessions aim to guide business owners through the registration process and help clarify any confusion regarding CARM. The delayed implementation of the CARM portal reflects an understanding of the challenges faced by smaller businesses and provides them with a much-needed opportunity to align their operations with the new requirements without undue pressure.

Precision farming is taking a leap forward with Precision Planting's Clarity system. Designed to catch blockage and flow distribution issues, Clarity ensures optimal crop uniformity and yield. Farms.com recently chatted with Josh Stoller, Precision Planting Regional Manager, about Clarity. With granular applications becoming prevalent in modern agriculture, maintaining consistency and precision is paramount for farmers. Clarity addresses this need by providing detailed insights into granular flow, enabling farmers to identify and address blockages or uneven application of seed or dry fertilizer says Stoller. The Clarity system utilizes sensors to monitor granular flow, providing real-time data on each row's application. This enables farmers to detect any blockages or inconsistencies promptly, rather than at emergence when it’s too late. By identifying issues early on, farmers can take corrective measures to optimize yield potential and reduce input wastage explains Stoller. One of the key features of Clarity is its ability to provide row-by-row uniformity analysis. This allows you to assess the uniformity of granular application across the entire field, enabling targeted interventions where necessary. Stoller explains that with the ability to pinpoint individual rows with over or under application, you can fine-tune your equipment for optimal performance. Moreover, Clarity offers a user-friendly interface, accessible through a Gen 3 Display. Farmers can easily visualize granular flow and identify any deviations from the desired application rates. This empowers farmers to make informed decisions on equipment adjustments or maintenance, ensuring consistent performance throughout the planting process. Stoller shares that by providing real-time insights and row-by-row analysis, Clarity enables out to optimize crop yield while minimizing input wastage. With precision farming becoming increasingly essential for sustainable agriculture, Clarity sets a new standard for efficiency and performance in granular application systems. For more information about

Manitoba’s David Hunt and his nearly 30 years of experience working in Canadian ag is the new chief commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC). His four-year term in the role begins on May 13, taking over for Doug Chorney, who retires from the position on April 30. Hunt most recently worked with Environment and Climate Change Canada, helping implement the Protected Areas Initiative for Manitoba, which builds a network of protected and conserved areas that contain biological diversity. He served as an assistant deputy minister for Manitoba Agriculture from 2015 to 2023and has been involved with the Manitoba government since 2007. Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay has “no doubt that Mr. Hunt’s leadership experience and commitment to a competitive, innovative, and resilient agriculture sector will ensure Canada continues to be recognized as a leading producer, processor, and exporter of high-quality grain,” he said in a statement. Multiple industry groups welcomed Hunt to the CGC.

John Deere's Marketing Manager for Precision Upgrades, Kyle Barry, recently unveiled its Precision Ag essentials kit. These comprehensive and multi-tier packages offer farmers the opportunity to upgrade their equipment with high-level precision and efficiency. Barry explains that at the heart of this offering are three core or foundational components: the G5 Plus Display, the M Series modem, and the StarFire 7000 Receiver. Together, these tools form the backbone of the kit, which is available for an upfront cost of $2,000 US. Customers can then choose a license based on their specific needs, with two options available: Precision Ag Basic or Precision Ag Advanced. Precision Ag Basic includes essential features such as AutoTrac, section control, and RowSense, catering to farmers seeking fundamental precision agriculture capabilities. However, Barry highlighted that for those desiring more sophisticated functionalities, Precision Ag Advanced is the go-to option. It encompasses AutoPath, which maps plant rows rather than just tractor paths, AutoTrac Turn Automation for seamless implement handling, and AutoTrac Implement Guidance to maintain the implement on course independently of the tractor's position. Additionally, it offers Machine Sync for optimal grain cart filling and infield data sharing to reduce overlap and reworking of field areas. A notable highlight is the inclusion of SF-RTK, John Deere's satellite based RTK signal offering sub-inch accuracy without the need for radio towers, thus mitigating issues related to shading and terrain. This initiative presents a significant leap towards achieving RTK-level accuracy for a broader range of customers. These Precision Ag Essentials are poised to set new standards in agricultural efficiency and productivity. Watch the video below to learn from John Deere's Kyle Barry, as he talks about the company’s Precision Ag Upgrades. For those interested in precision agriculture and ag technology,

Canada's agriculture sector plays a crucial role not only in feeding the nation but also in bolstering the economy. In 2022, the sector produced a staggering $118.6 billion worth of goods, with $36.8 billion exported internationally. But behind these impressive numbers is a diverse workforce that ensures the wheels of agriculture keep turning. A significant portion of this workforce is seasonal. In 2022, nearly half of the 278,373 individuals employed in this sector worked from May to November, the primary growing season. This seasonal nature of work reflects the fluctuating demand for labour in farming activities, which peak during the planting and harvest periods in Canada. The role of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) is particularly noteworthy. These workers are essential, especially when local labour is insufficient to meet peak seasonal demands. In 2022, the agriculture sector employed 64,660 TFWs, marking a 6.0% increase from the previous year. They represented nearly one in four agricultural workers in Canada, with a significant number working in Ontario's robust greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture industries. Ontario reported 79,852 agricultural workers in 2022, the province is known not just for its volume of workers but also for its substantial agricultural output, generating $21.8 billion in farm cash receipts in the same year. However, securing enough labour remains a challenge, evidenced by the 14,611 job vacancies in the sector in 2022. The reliance on TFWs underscores a critical dependency on external labour sources, predominantly from Mexico, Guatemala, and Jamaica, to sustain agricultural production. As Canada continues to navigate the complexities of agricultural labour, the importance of these workers cannot be overstated. They ensure that Canadian tables are graced with fresh produce year-round and contribute significantly to the nation’s economy through their hard work and dedication. The ongoing management of this labour force is key to maintaining the stability and growth of agriculture in Canada, reflecting a sector that is as dynamic as it is essential.

Manitoba Pork, in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba, and in collaboration with Manitoba’s agricultural sector, is pleased to announce that the Squeal on Pigs Manitoba initiative will receive over $2.6 million over the next four years to further the work of tracking and removing wild pigs from Manitoba’s landscape. “Wild pigs continue to thrive across Manitoba and are vectors for many diseases that have a devastating impact on both domestic pigs as well as other animals,” said Dr. Wayne Lees, project coordinator, Squeal on Pigs Manitoba. “Together with our partners in both the provincial and federal governments, as well as Manitoba’s agricultural sector and stakeholders across the province, this new funding will allow us to further our efforts to track, trap, and remove wild pigs from the landscape and protect our province.” The goal of the Squeal on Pigs campaign is to identify where wild pigs are in Manitoba, control their spread, and remove as many pigs as possible from the landscape. Ultimately, the goal is to eradicate this invasive species from the province. Squeal on Pigs employs field technicians across the province that work with landowners to coordinate tracking and trapping activities and provide tools to partners who work collaboratively on this effort. Squeal on Pigs also has a robust communications and public relations campaign that is ongoing. “Wild pigs can spread disease and cause serious damage to cropland and natural habitats,” said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This vitally important campaign, backed by federal and provincial investments under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, will help manage the population of wild pigs and keep our land and livestock safe.” “Wild pigs pose a significant threat to animal health, environmental health and human health and this program takes critical proactive measures to protect Manitoba’s pork industry,” said Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn. “This important initiative also addresses challenges caused by wild pigs to pastures, forages, crops and other aspects of Manitoba’s agriculture sector.” Manitobans are asked to report evidence of wild pig sightings or any signs of activity so that movements can be better tracked, and eradication efforts can be furthered, either through squealonpigsmb.org or the 1-833-SPOT-PIG hotline. Manitobans are also being asked not to hunt wild pigs on their own, as hunting disperses wild pig populations over wider areas, changing movement patterns and harming trapping efforts. The Manitoba Invasive Swine Eradication Project, later rebranded as Squeal on Pigs Manitoba, was announced in January 2022 as a partnership between the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba, and Manitoba Pork, through funding from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The Sustainable CAP is a five-year (2023-2028), $3.5 billion agreement between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and $2.5 billion that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

The last few years have been challenging for the pork sector with higher interest rates, lower hog prices, global instability cutting into export demand,and higherfeed prices. The General Manager for Manitoba Pork Cam Dahl says we are coming through that, addingthat things are looking up for the pork industry. "We're seeing support for demand, we areseeing a reduction ininput costs. So things are looking much better now, than they were a couple of years ago." More consumers have been turning to pork at the meat counter due to the increasing cost of food at the grocery store, and the fact that pork is less expensive than beef and chicken. Farm Credit Canada's Deputy Chief Economist Desmond Sobool says we'll likely see that trend continue for a while. "Over the next two years, I am very optimistic. We're seeing strength in hog prices, beef prices are still really high for the farmer and at the retail level. We're seeing a huge contraction in the beef herd in both Canada and the US over the past number of years - like decade-low levels. Ithink these prices are going to stay elevated for a couple of years because there's no incentive right now to rebuild the beef herd. So we're going to see strong beef prices over the next couple of years, which will support pork demand because of the price advantage pork would have over beef. " He notes that with the demand for pork, increases in hog prices and lower feed costs istranslating into some opportunities for better margins. "We've seen feed costs come down significantly from the last few years. Feed costs are the one main cost that producers face, representing about 50 to 60 per cent of their overall total cost." Analysts predict pork will continue to have an advantage at the retail market, due to the elevated beef prices at the grocery store, and the huge contraction happening in the beef herd both in Canada and the U-S.

Giving egg production residue a second life using insects is what a PhD candidate from Université Laval is studying. Mariève Dallaire-Lamontagne is focusing on finding alternative methods for managing byproducts and waste material like carcasses, unmarketable eggs, manure and other organic residue. “We collect the residue and apply a fermentation process,” she told Farms.com from Switzerland where she’s collaborating with colleagues on the economic viability of this idea for farmers. “It’s almost like if we were making a kimchi or a yogurt. We then take the fermented product and feed it to black soldier flies.” Black soldier flies can convert organic waste into protein and fat. These insects can then be fed to poultry or fish or used in the pet food market. The process to create the feed for the flies takes about one week and has a paste-like consistency. And her previous research showed black soldier flies that ate the diet of hatchery waste had more protein in them compared to insects that ate food high in carbohydrates, which resulted in more fat.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is now including livestock resources on its webpages about highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). This response comes after the United States Department of Agriculture has confirmed cases of bird flu in multiple dairy herds in the country. As of April 23, herds in eight states have tested positive for avian flu. “Affected cows are showing clinical signs that include a decrease in milk production or feed consumption and thicker consistency milk,” the CFIA says on its webpage. “The animals appear to recover after a period of illness.” The CFIA encourages producers to stay on top of biosecurity measures and says veterinarians should watch for multiple signs in cattle. These include dry manure or constipation, a decrease in feed consumption and a drop in rumen motility. Wild birds appear to be the main source of HPAI, the CFIA says. But when the virus infects another animal, that can create challenges, said Scott Weese, a veterinarian and professor at the University of Guelph. “Any time it moves into a different species, you’re creating more of an opportunity for that virus to change,”

ByDevin Lashley Farms.com Risk Management Intern Will there be a shortfall in the total South American corn crop production, and if so, how will this impact corn commodity prices in the United States. What should farmers be watching to ensure their commodity marketing strategy prepares them for this South American impact? The sub soil moisture over a meter deep is the lowest since record keeping began especially for central Brazil and the 23/24 Brazil Safrinha corn crop as the wet season ends sooner than expected mid-April of 2024. What does the Safrinha corn crop refer to. Safrinha refers to Brazil's 2nd corn crop which is planted right after soybean harvest. Safrinha is normally planted in the midwest and center-south regions of Brazil in January and February. Safrinha means “little harvest” in Portuguese, as initially this harvest was smaller than the first harvest. According to NOAA as of April 10, 2024, nearly all regions within Brazil's Safrinha corn cultivation areas exhibited soil moisture deficits ranging from 30-50%. While some areas in southern Goias and Mato Grosso experienced comparatively milder dryness, they too remained below typical moisture levels. The 1st planted corn crop that pollinates by mid-April to mid-May could survive the less than desirable sub soil moisture as we enter the dry season in May, but the 2nd planted corn crop may not. History shows that a drought with a lack of moisture could result in lower yields by as much as 15 to 20 percent and take production lower, potentially pushing Brazil production below 100 MMT for the world's largest corn exporter. Adding to the mix, Argentina's corn harvest faces further significant cuts due to an unprecedented outbreak of leafhopper insects spreading spiroplasma disease. The weather has not been ideal either and losses in the worst-hit regions are reaching a staggering 40-50%. USDA is reducing the Argentine corn harvest to 55 MMT, but remains well above both the Rosario grain exchange and the Buenos Aires exchanges which have cut their harvest estimates to 50.5 and 52 mmt. A record harvest seems no longer possible for the world's 5th largest corn producer and 3rd largest exporter after last year’s drought-stricken corn crop at 36 mmt. The USDA decided to kick the can down the road in the April crop report and left the Brazil corn crop unchanged at 124 mmt respectively vs. Conab at 110.9 mmt. (Conab is the Brazilian National Supply Company (Conab).) The big debate on the street is who is wrong? USDA says their satellite imagery is showing more corn acres in Northern Brazil, but Conab is saying those corn acres were planted to a different crop. At the end of the day, we may never know but the trade will want to know from the “gold standard” or the “gospel truth” the USDA whether its 124 or something much lower. The current difference is 13.1 mmt or 516 million bushels and a game changer if Conab is right and will move the needle on corn prices in the coming months. The next scheduled USDA May crop report is May 10th, 2024. Combined, these factors could lead to a shortfall in the total South American corn crop by as much as 30 million metric tons or about 1 billion bushels at 140 mmt vs. last year’s total at 173 mmt. The funds have ignored the news

Conservative MP Philip Lawrence asked the government on April 15 if it would pass Bill C-234 in its original form to lower the price of food. Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay answered, citing his experiences as a farmer, and witnessing the effects of climate change. “Being a farmer, I am fully aware that farmers are on the front line of climate change,” the minister said. “They see the devastating impacts of climate change in this country and the destruction of barns, killing cattle.” The minister also cited the price on pollution and the Canada carbon rebate. In his follow-up, Lawrence pressed on about Bill C-234 and asked the government to send a message to people lining up at food banks. Steve MacKinnon, the government House leader, responded. He told the House that Bill C-234 is in the Conservatives hands and they can bring the bill to a floor vote. Also on April 15, Damien Kurek, the Conservative MP for Battle River-Crowfoot, asked about Bill C-234. He cited Vermeer’s Dairy near Camrose, which estimates will be paying $1,500 per month in additional carbon taxes by 2030.

The Coordinator of Squeal on Pigs Manitoba is confident the province's feral pig population will ultimately be eliminated.The Squeal on Pigs campaign was launched in Manitoba in 2022 to inform the public about the damage caused by wild pigs and what to watch for and to provide a mechanism to report sightings. Squeal on Pigs Manitoba Coordinator Dr. Wayne Lees told those on hand last week for Manitoba Pork's 2024 annual general meeting the risks posed by wild pigs fall into three categories. Quote-Dr. Wayne Lees-Squeal on Pigs Manitoba: They affect animal health and those risks are mainly due to their ability to transmit diseases.There's an environmental risk and then finally there's a human safety risk because these animals can be quite aggressive and if they are cornered they can pose a risk to human safety.Probably the most well know populations of wild pigs are in the southern U.S. In those southern states wild pigs are really out of control and their populations are estimated to be in the millions and they cause a lot of damage down there.Our situation in Canada is a bit different.The Eurasian wild boar, that were brought into this country in the 1980s and 1990s have escaped or were released and now have established breeding populations, usually in the agricultural or the semi agricultural areas of the province. Our pigs tend to survive the winter much better.These wild pigs in Canada are adapted to cold climate conditions and so our strategies have to be different. They tend to travel in smaller groups in this country, they tend to travel around more and they tend to be more elusive, they're harder to find than pigs in the U.S. Dr. Lees says the goal of the Squeal on Pigs campaign is to eliminate feral pigs from the landscape and, although he acknowledges that will take time, he is confident that goal will be achieved.To report a wild pig sighting visit squealonpigsmb.org or call 1 833-SPOTPIG. For more visit Farmscape.Ca.

The Swine Health Information Center and the American Association of Swine veterinarians are helping prepare livestock producers for dealing with highly pathogenic avian influenza. In response to the identification of highly pathogenic avian influenza in livestock in the United States including goats and dairy cattle, the Swine Health Information Center in collaboration with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians will host a webinar on influenza A viruses April 19th. SHIC Executive Director Dr. Megan Niederwerder says the webinar will feature an overview of the pathogen's global distribution, research outcomes for highly pathogenic avian influenza experimental infections in swine, experiences and perspectives of the dairy industry and details on the standardized outbreak investigation tool. Quote-Dr. Megan Niederwerder-Swine Health Information Center: We really try and present timely and responsive webinars to inform the U.S. industry on potential emerging disease threats and, of course, generate new knowledge on changes with regards to risks as well as mitigation strategies.We want to provide this information as a comprehensive overview of the influenza A virus as well as risks to the swine industry but also to identify potential biosecurity practices that producers can put in place now. That includes things such as limiting wild bird and wildlife scavenger access to swine farms as well as limiting access to feed such as open feed bins or feed spillage.We also want to identify potential areas in which producers can monitor risk, such as nests or bird dropping near air inlets or entry locations into the swine barn, thinking about what's the risk of surface water and feed contamination from wild bird access and limiting those risks to limit the risk of introduction of any influenza virus into our hog barns. Anyone interested in participating in the April 18th SHIC AASV webinar can register through the Swine Health Information Center website at swinehealth.org.

Pork producers will have an opportunity to learn more about research being conducted in the area of swine welfare as part of the Prairie Swine Centre's upcoming spring producer meetings. "Advancing swine welfare practices to empower your industry: what the Chair in Swine Welfare is doing for you" will be among the topics discussed as part of the Prairie Swine Centre's series of spring producer meetings planned for Strathmore, Alberta April 30, Swift Current, Saskatchewan May 1 and Niverville, Manitoba May 3. Dr. Martyna Lagoda, a Post-doctoral Fellow Swine Behavior and Welfare with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, says the program will be of interest to pork producers, veterinarians and other pork sector stakeholders. Quote-Dr. Martyna Lagoda-Western College of Veterinary Medicine: The NSERC IRC in Swine Welfare is a five-year research program led by Dr. Yolande Seddon at the University of Saskatchewan as the Chair and it's a strategic initiative in response to the need for practical solutions to swine welfare pressures that the industry is faced with.The research program is designed to deliver innovative research to allow the industry to proactively address swine welfare challenges. The key aspect to note here is the applied nature of this research.The highly qualified team developed as part of the NSERC IRC works to align science with industry needs to deliver really practical solutions for the industry.Ultimately the program supports sustainable and ethical food production which positions the Canadian swine industry as a responsible and a trusted pork producer both nationally and globally as an exporter of pork as well. The program is funded by 14 industry partners representing pork boards, producers and genetics companies and this has been matched by NSERC's government funding and we also have funds from the University of Saskatchewan.It's important to mention that the industry's investment in this work demonstrates their commitment to welfare and understanding of the need to proactively address welfare. To register for the Prairie Swine Centre's Spring producer meetings, contact Donna.VanGorp@zoetis.com, Steffen.Klenk@genusplc.com or Ken.Engele@usask.ca.