Better Pork

In the absence of corn, cereal grains such as wheat and barley can be used very successfully in swine diets. The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide guidance on feeding small cereal grains such as wheat, barley, oats, rye and triticale to pigs. Many countries around the world, as well as other parts of Canada, routinely use wheat and/or barley as the main energy sources for swine rations. Other small grains such as oats, rye and triticale can also be incorporated, although typically at lower inclusion levels. Just like corn, growing and harvesting conditions can impact the nutritional value of cereal grains. Small grains are similar to corn in terms of their nutritional value; however, there are also some important differences to note. Most importantly, small grains are typically higher in crude protein and lysine compared to corn. This means you may need less soybean meal in your diets to compensate. Small grains also have higher digestible phosphorus (providing economic and environmental benefits) but tend to be lower in energy.

HyLife, a leading global food company, is pleased to announce that its President and CEO, Karan Sangfai, has hit the ground running in his new role. Sangfai has embarked on acomprehensive listening tour, visiting various operations across the company to connect with employees and gain valuable insights. In his first few weeks as CEO, Sangfai has already toured numerous areas of HyLife’s fully integrated operations, including farm sites, a state-of-the-art Neepawa Pork Plant, distribution centers, wash bays, transportation locations, and more. This hands-on approach demonstrates Sangfai’s commitment to gaining a deeper understanding of every aspect of the business and fostering a strong culture of collaboration. One employee, Kevin Escobilla, Manager of Neepawa Wash Bay, expressed his excitement in joining the CEO forlunch, saying, “Meeting our new CEO was incredible. I am starstruck; this is very good for morale. Seeing him on the ground, eating with us, talking with us, it encourages me more to do my work even better.” Escobilla’s sentiment reflects the positive impact Sangfai’s presence has had on employees. Sangfai, a seasoned global leader with an impressive track record, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Prior to joining HyLife, he held senior positions at CPF, Samsung Electronics, and Myanmar CP Group. Over the past two years, Sangfai has been an integral part of HyLife’s leadership team and has actively engaged with local communities.

Pleased to share the core section of the April/May edition for Prairie Hog Country was uploaded to the printers early yesterday morning. This edition has follow up coverage from many of the great meetings/events that have been happening in the hog sector: Manitoba Swine Seminar, Alberta Pork Regional, Saskatchewan Livestock Expo and h@ms. In addition stories on the bad deal coalition, V cool, AFAC collapse, PED spring fears, a recent expansion to boar stud, a new Canadian Pork office in Manila, moving forward in the Ukraine, and much much more. Also included in this issue is our annual readership survey, please take the time to fill out and return. This helps us serve you, our readers and industry sector better. The issue will be in the hands of Canada Post next Thursday, the same time the online update will completed too. Thanks for the continued support.

Scientists representing the pork industry, international organizations, allied industries, academic institutions and or public-private partnerships are being invited to submit research proposals designed to help enhance U.S. prevention, preparedness and response capabilities for Japanese encephalitis virus. The Swine Health Information Center and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research have issued a call for research proposals to address specific research priorities related to Japanese Encephalitis Virus, a mosquito born infection that affects several species including pigs and people. JEV was identified in Australia in 2022 and, although North American remains free of the infection, it has been identified as a priority for North American prevention and preparedness.SHIC Executive Director Dr. Megan Niederwerder says, in response to this emerging disease, the Swine Health Information Center and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research have identified 13 research priorities for JEV. Quote-Dr. Megan Niederwerder-Swine Health Information Center: We are requesting proposals that are collaborative projects that demonstrate urgent and timeliness of completion for the greatest value to pork producers, and so efficient use of funds.We also want to ensure that these research proposals that are being developed and solicited address one of the 13 research priorities that have been outlined in the call for proposals. We're looking for projects that should be completed within a 12-to-18-month period and project budgets that are up to 250 thousand.We are looking for proposals that have the most efficient use of funds and that are submitted by the deadline, which is April 15th, 2024 by 5:00 pm central.There is a research proposal template that we are asking anyone developing a proposal to utilize for their submission and submission and submission instructions that are on the web site. Dr. Niederwerder notes links to the application template and to a webinar which explains the application process, can be accessed through the Swine Health Information Center or the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research websites.

Research conducted by the Western College of Veterinary Medicine is shedding new light on the cause and on possible prevention and treatment options for ear tip necrosis. Ear tip necrosis is a condition were the tip of the ear turns necrotic leading to partial or complete loss of the ear.In response to increased reports in western Canada of ear tip necrosis, researchers with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine have been investigating the cause of the condition as part of an effort to develop effective preventions and/or treatments. Dr. Matheus Costa, an Assistant Professor with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and an adjunct professor with Utrecht University, says every pig producing region in the world has reported ear tip necrosis. Quote-Dr. Matheus Costa-Western College of Veterinary Medicine: There are two main things we've learned from this study.One is that ear tip necrosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium so this puts us at an advantage compared to where we were one to two years ago.Now we know that this is not caused by a mycotoxin, this is not just simply the environment. There is an agent and this agent is a bacterium, and also, we know that this bacterium is not coming from a systemic infection.This bacterium is coming from outside in.This bacterium is introduced to the skin and when the skin barrier is broken, for example if a pig chews on the other pig's ear, that inoculates that ear and virtually all pigs carry this bacterium that can cause ear tip necrosis so, the moment they chew on that ear and break the skin, they inoculate that pig with the bacterium that causes ear tip necrosis and that's how we perceive ear tip necrosis to develop right now. Dr. Costa suggests this new information is a potential game changer.He says we now know this condition is caused by a bacterium that can hopefully be treated by antibiotic therapy or even be prevented by vaccination and pork producers can stop investing in treatments that will not control ear tip necrosis.

Research conducted by the Western College of Veterinary Medicine suggests management changes made early in the life of the pig, such as providing chewable materials and more space to play, results in pigs that are easier to handle and that gain weight faster throughout their lives. As part of the NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Swine Welfare research program, scientists with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine examined the lifetime effects of management modifications, including the provision of chewable materials such as burlap and rope, increased space to facilitate play and increased human contact during the lactation period, the nursery period and both on long-term welfare and productivity. Siba Khalife, a PhD candidate swine behavior and welfare at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, says, in spite of advancements in production and housing pigs still encounter stresses that can lead to welfare challenges like aggression and tail biting. Quote-Siba Khalife-Western College of Veterinary Medicine: We were wanting to look at modifications that we can make to the management that would help pigs in the long term through the entire production cycle.What we came up with is targeting an early life development period where the pig is very naive to its environment. We decided to see if these early life modifications are able to change the pig's growth and its welfare in the long term if given in early life.So far what we have is preliminary data.We're still working on analyzing everything but we do know that the pigs were easier to handle if they were given the early life modifications in growth to lactation and the nursery period.At the end of nursery, we realized that they were easier to handle and they also had overall higher average daily gain. Khalife says this work shows even small early life management modifications may make a difference in the resilience of the pigs in the face of typical management stresses resulting in higher growth and better welfare outcomes.Details on this work can be accessed at swinewelfare.ca.

An economic assessment conducted on behalf of the Swine Health Information Center has determined a Japanese encephalitis virus outbreak in the United States, similar to the one experienced in Australia in 2022, would cost the U.S. pork sector between 306 million and 612 million dollars in lost production. In response to Japanese encephalitis virus outbreak in Australia in 2022, Dr. Liz Wagstrom with Wagstrom Consulting and a team of economists and production veterinarians gathered production data from the Australian outbreak to predict production losses in the event of a U.S. incursion. Swine Health Information Center Associate Director Dr. Lisa Becton says understanding the potential economic impacts of JEV on pork production in the U.S. is critical to protecting the health of the US swine herd as well as mitigating the risk of this emerging disease. Quote-Dr. Lisa Becton-Swine Health Information Center: Australia's herd size is smaller than the United States.There's about 2.4 million pigs at approximately 43 hundred piggeries where as in comparison the United States has about 72 million pigs spread out across 68 thousand farms. What was evaluated was the production impact and it was estimated, comparing the Australian outbreak to U.S. production numbers, 32 percent of U.S. herds could be impacted by this outbreak and these are adult breeding herds.This includes losses of one to two percent, mostly to reproductive issues such as failure to reproduce, piglet losses including stillborns and mummies and other things like that. When compared and estimated, the value to the industry losses is ranging from 306 million to 612 million dollars in that particular outbreak.Full results of the JEV Economic Assessment can be accessed through the Swine Health Information Center website at swinehealth.org.For more visit Farmscape.Ca. Bruce Cochrane.

As the growing season takes root across Ontario, fruit and vegetable producers are already laying the groundwork for a successful harvest. A key part of their preparation is addressing the perennial challenge of securing enough labour to manage the intensive demands of planting, tending, and harvesting crops. This challenge is met with a solution that has a rich history and critical impact on Canada's food supply: the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). Established over 50 years ago, SAWP has become an essential component in Ontario agriculture, acting as a bridge between local labour shortages and the need for a reliable workforce. This year, about 18,000 seasonal workers from countries including Mexico, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Eastern Caribbean are expected to join Ontario's farms. Their arrival is not just a boon for the approximately 1,100 farms that will benefit from their labour but also for Canadian families who enjoy fresh, local produce as a result. The reliance on SAWP highlights a broader issue within the agricultural sector: a significant shortage of domestic workers. This gap in the workforce is not just a logistical problem for farmers; it represents a substantial economic loss, estimated at around $1.5 billion annually. This shortfall affects not only individual farms but also Canada's competitive standing in the global market. Ken Forth, president of F.A.R.M.S. (not affiliated with this website), is at the forefront of this issue, advocating for the importance of SAWP in ensuring the resilience and success of Ontario's agricultural sector. In a time when food security and sustainable local production are more crucial than ever, the program's role in supporting farmers is invaluable. Through programs like SAWP, Ontario's agricultural community continues to thrive, providing essential resources for both local communities and the broader Canadian population.

Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a promising new method for decontaminating grain and boosting seed germination using cold plasma. This low-temperature version of plasma, the state of matter found in stars, offers a safe and effective way to address challenges faced by Canadian grain growers. Mycotoxins, harmful fungal toxins, contaminate a significant portion of grain crops globally, including wheat and barley in Western Canada. These toxins pose health risks to humans and animals, and traditional methods for removing them are often ineffective. The new cold plasma treatment developed by the researchers decontaminates grains by neutralizing toxins on the surface. This method successfully reduced toxin levels by 54% and holds promise for even greater effectiveness with further optimization. The benefits extend beyond decontamination. Treating barley with cold plasma-activated water not only reduced toxins but also improved seed germination by 10-13%. This can lead to increased crop yields and improved efficiency in the malting industry. Cold plasma technology offers several advantages. Treatments are fast, taking only minutes to hours, and environmentally friendly as they require minimal resources and leave no residues on the grain. Additionally, plasma can decontaminate the water used in the steeping process, reducing waste and promoting sustainability. This research represents a significant advancement for the agricultural industry. By reducing grain spoilage, improving food safety, and potentially boosting yields, cold plasma technology can benefit farmers and consumers. The University of Alberta is exploring licensing opportunities for this technology and further research is underway to scale it up for commercial use. These advancements offer exciting possibilities for a brighter future for Canadian grain production.

By: Farms.com Canadian researchers are investing in the future of canola and sunflowers. A $31 million project led by Protein Industries Canada aims to develop high-protein canola and sunflower meal for various applications. This will increase the value of these crops for Canadian farmers and create new market opportunities. The project focuses on creating high-protein canola seeds that produce meals with more protein and less fiber. This meal will be ideal for animal feed, particularly for non-ruminant livestock and farmed fish. Additionally, researchers are developing new processing methods to create high-value products from canola and sunflower seeds, such as protein concentrates and oil bodies. These ingredients can be used in plant-based dairy and meat alternatives. This project is expected to benefit Canadian farmers by increasing the profitability of canola and sunflower production. It will also create new jobs in the agriculture and food processing sectors. This investment is part of a larger initiative by Protein Industries Canada to position Canada as a global leader in sustainable food production. By developing innovative new products from Canadian crops, this project will contribute to a more prosperous and sustainable agricultural industry.

The Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan is working to develop an on-farm tool for pork production companies to make business decisions to meet animal welfare and sustainability goals. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in partnership with 14 industry partners and the university provided funding for the research program in swine welfare. The program is led by Dr. Yolane Seddon. Her team of four research scientists and technicians will study data gathered from interviews with producers who make management decisions, as well as herd vets in Canada and the United States. “The outcome of this work is that we aim to produce a tool that will support decision making on the farm that will influence animal welfare, but also with the knowledge of how it interacts with business, profitability and environmental emissions and therefore, overall business sustainability goals that could influence market access,” Seddon explained. The 75-minute interview covers a wide range of topics including what animal welfare means to the participants. Seddon said its to get an idea of what indicators they use to monitor welfare and what’s important to themselves or the company they work for. “We also ask questions about aspects of animal management and how, in their experience, they consider it relates to animal welfare and production and also other business sustainability goals including how this impacts staff well-being.” Seddon said data gathered from the interviews will not only be used in this study, but in future research as well. “It’s enabling us to actually capture the first-hand experiences of the industry in managing and making decisions over animal welfare, including a number of things that are quite challenging to put in practice. This is simply not being captured in scientific literature. It’s really valuable to hear the industry’s side of the story on this because its typically not heard.” Information from the study will be distributed first to those who are participating in the interviews. They will also be provided with the tool and shown a demonstration. Additionally, the work will be published and presented at pork producer meetings. “A further component of this work is that once we have started to develop the tool, we will be wanting to go and validate and test it on farms and we expect this to be done later in 2024 in order to have a final tool ready in early 2025.”

The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) has revoked the license of a Manitoba grain company. “As of March 25, 2024, Zeghers Seed Inc. o/a Zeghers Canada is no longer licensed by the Canadian Grain Commission,” a statement from the commission says. “The company’s grain dealer licence and primary elevator licence located at Holland, Manitoba, have been revoked.” Zeghers is now on the CGC’s website among the list of 25 companies that no longer have licenses in effect. Of that list, the majority are in Western Canada. Any farmers who did business with Zeghers before March 25 may be eligible for payment security under the CGC’s Safeguards for Grain Farmers Program and are encouraged to contact the CGC immediately. Under this program, licensed grain companies are required to provide payment security to the CGC to cover money owed to producers for grain deliveries. That security can come in the form of a bond, an irrevocable standby letter of credit or guarantee, or a payables insurance policy. Sections 95, 116 and 118 of the Canada Grain Act allow the CGC to revok

The Alberta SPCA will answer calls to Alberta Farm Animal Care’s (AFAC) ALERT Line. The phone number, 1-800-506-2273, is available for people who have questions or concerns about livestock and animal welfare. This change took effect on March 21 and is in response to AFAC’s closure. AFAC announced the closure on March 1 citing a lack of resources. AFAC reps are happy the ALERT Line will still be available to Albertans. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to sustain the ALERT Line though the support of the Alberta SPCA to ensure continuity for livestock and the people who care for them in the province,” AFAC Board Chair Merna Gisler said in a statement. And the SPCA is ready to offer support to those who contact them through the ALERT Line. “This is another great opportunity for the Alberta SPCA to connect with rural Albertans when they need us,” Doug Sawyer, chair of the Alberta SPCA board, said in a statement.

Canadian agriculture has received a significant boost from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) with the recent announcement to increase the interest-free portion of the Advanced Payments Program (APP) to $250,000 says the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA). The initiative is designed to support farmers by providing loans that help manage cash-flow challenges and cover increased production costs effectively. Historically, in response to the pandemic's economic impact, the government had elevated the interest-free loan amount to $250,000 in 2022, and then to $350,000 in 2023, aiming to assist farmers with the soaring expenses for essential inputs like fertilizer and fuel. There were plans to revert the interest-free portion back to $100,000 in 2024, which had raised concerns among the farming community. The CFA has been at the forefront, vocally advocating for the retention of the increased interest-free portion, citing the severe inflationary pressures that have burdened producers since the original $100,000 cap was instituted. CFA President, Keith Currie, expressed relief and approval of the announcement, highlighting the crucial timing and financial relief it provides to farmers, who must often invest in the next season's production without having received payment for the previous season. This move has been seen as a direct response to the advocacy and needs of the farming community, reflecting an understanding of the financial pressures faced in modern agriculture. The decision to maintain the interest-free loan amount at $250,000 is viewed as a step towards establishing a new baseline for future interest-free advances, with hopes that the program will continue to adapt to the evolving economic landscape faced by Canadian farmers. The enhancement of the APP reflects a commitment by the Canadian government to support the agriculture sector's sustainability and profitability. It acknowledges the essential role farmers play in the economy and the unique financial challenges they face, especially in an era of increasing costs and economic uncertainty. The farming community has welcomed this development, viewing it as a vital support mechanism for ensuring the continuity and success of Canadian agriculture. See related story: Grain Farmers of Ontario acknowledge the federal increase to the Advance Payments Program

Image by krystianwin from Pixabay The Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) have thanked Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Minister Lawrence MacAulay for increasing the interest-free limit of the for this year. The gives producers access to cash advances of up to $1 million based on the expected value of their crop or other agricultural product. Farmers receive the first $100,000 interest-free, and the AAFC can raise that limit if the season warrants it. This year, the limit of the interest-free portion has been raised to $250,000. Under the , cash advances are calculated based on up to 50 percent of the anticipated market value of eligible agricultural products that will be produced or are in storage. Advances are available on over 500 crop and livestock products across Canada. “Farmers face a lot of uncertainties and unpredictability. When the weather is bad or prices are low, Ontario’s family farms can be quickly impacted. We appreciate the government’s decision to increase this limit and the access to interest-free loans this will provide farmers,” said Jeff Harrison, Chair of the GFO. He continued: “Grain Farmers of Ontario has been advocating to increase the limit for some time, and it is good to see that hard work pay off. We look forward to working with the government on continued improvements to this and other risk programs and to any adjustments that might need to be made in the future.” In 2022, due to exceptional circumstances, the Government of Canada increased the interest-free portion of the from $100,000 to $250,000 for the 2022 and 2023 program years. As pressures compounded in 2023, the limit was further increased from $250,000 to $350,000 for the 2023 program year. The GFO is the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers. For more information on the GFO, visit www.gfo.ca.

By Farms.com World Dairy Expo proudly reveals the distinguished recipients of the 2024 Expo Recognition Awards. These remarkable individuals, chosen by their peers for their outstanding contributions to both the dairy industry and their communities, will be formally acknowledged during the Recognition Awards Banquet at the World Dairy Expo on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. Banquet tickets will be available at www.worlddairyexpo.com beginning on July 1. Acknowledged as the International Person of the Year is Paul Larmer, hailing from Guelph, Ontario, Canada, and affiliated with Semex. With a career spanning four decades, Larmer has been a driving force in dairy cattle genetics, leaving a significant mark on a global scale. Beginning his journey in the genetics industry in 1984, Larmer held pivotal roles at United Breeders Inc., Semex Alliance, and Alta Genetics Inc. before assuming the position of Chief Executive Officer at Semex in 2007. During his tenure, Larmer steered Semex to unparalleled success, achieving a remarkable 17 consecutive years of record-breaking sales and revenues. Under his leadership, Semex introduced six Millionaire Sires to the industry and spearheaded groundbreaking research and development initiatives aimed at enhancing dairy technology and genetics worldwide. Noteworthy projects included advancements in China's dairy technology and genetics, the establishment of production centers in Hungary and Brazil, and the pioneering introduction of a Methane Efficiency Index to promote industry sustainability globally. Though Larmer retired from his role as CEO in December 2023, he continues to serve as an Executive Advisor, bringing invaluable expertise to Semex. World Dairy Expo, renowned as the premier gathering of the global dairy community, provides an unparalleled platform for learning, networking, commerce, and competition. Scheduled to take place in Madison, Wis. from October 1-4, 2024, the event promises dairy producers an immersive experience featuring the world's largest dairy-focused trade show, top-tier dairy cattle showcase, informative seminars, and opportunities for industry networking and collaboration.

Just as only you know when you're thirsty, so too are plants the only ones that know when they require water. If only there was a way to communicate with a plant to find out when exactly that is. But wait! Say hello to , a precision agriculture technology—an easy-to-install water sensor—that provides accurate, real-time feedback on plant thirst, allowing farmers to make fast decisions to better benefit their crops. Developing a way to acquire data directly from plants, FloraPulse is now able to provide ag professionals such as woody crop owners and managers, nut and dry fruit growers, fresh fruit growers, commercial orchard/vineyard operators, government and university researchers, certified crop consultants, scientists, and more with accurate, automated measurements on plant water status. It said its technology works best—right now—for orchards and vineyards, with the company saying it is ideal for such crops as almonds, hazelnuts, wine grapes, apples, peaches, and berries. The system is comprised of patented hardware, software, and technical support for each user to directly manage water stress, reducing water and labor costs and risks while increasing yields, crop quality, and environmental health. FloraPulse provides growers and researchers with accurate and trusted automated measurements of water stress directly from trees and vines. The patented technology—used worldwide—provides science-based advice to optimize irrigation, increase profits, and valuable research data. The was developed via the research and collaboration of Cornell University’s emeritus professor of horticulture, Alan Lakso, Director of the Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Abraham Strook, and mechanical engineering Ph.D. and technology developer, Michael Santiago. “FloraPulse is a game-changer for the entire agricultural industry,” said Lakso. “After years of research and development, our team created the first simple-to-use device that provides farmers and researchers with real-time data that helps growers and researchers achieve efficient water use in the face of variable climate conditions.” The company’s revolutionary real-time water sensing technology allows for more resilient plant health systems that enhance our agricultural system and farmers’ bottom lines. The team offers premium technical support and assistance. For more information, visit www.florapulse.com.

By Ryan Ridley Managing Editor, Farms.com Precision Ag Digital Digest The first issue of 2024 is upon us for the Farms.com Precision Ag Digital Digest. The Spring 2024 issue will be released within a couple of weeks, and it is packed with new innovations from some of the biggest names in the industry. This year has not disappointed so far, and after speaking with dozens of companies at the 2024 National Farm Machinery Show (NFMS), I am convinced the best is yet to come. As previously reported by our very own Diego Flammini, Farms.com yielded more than 70 videos from the NFMS and will be releasing special edition Machinery Newsletters in the coming weeks—stay tuned for that. Precision agriculture and ag technology ran wild at the NFMS this year, so much so that the 2024 Spring Farms.com Precision Ag Digital Digest will have a special PAG Tech Clips section featuring our top 10 tech videos from the event. Our main articles will cover a few newly released products, including Case IH’s new AF11 combine and Precision Planting’s new CornerStone planting system. Cannot forget about Kinze’s brand-new 5670 pivot fold planter as well as real-time spot spraying tech from Trimble-owned Bilberry. Oh, and Massey Ferguson has retrofit baler tech, SimplEbale, that brings large-square bale technology to small-square balers. We are sure you have heard of John Deere partnering with SpaceX, but we provide a unique angle on that as well. Our team cannot wait for you to get your hands on...get your keyboards/mouses on…the Spring 2024 Precision Ag Digital Digest. Refer to this link in a week or so and the new issue will be there! In the meantime, flip through our Winter 2023/2024 issue, it has lots of good stuff.

Manitoba Pork Credit Corporation welcomed yesterday’s announcement by Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay, increasing the interest-free limit of the Advanced Payments Program from $100,000 to $250,000, at a time when producers are coming out of an extended period of tight margins. “Hog farmers have faced incredibly tight margins over the last 18 months, with high feed and input costs that have threatened their bottom line,” said Cam Dahl, CEO of the Manitoba Pork Credit Corporation and Manitoba Pork’s general manager. “We are pleased to see the federal government recognize these challenges and act to provide producers with access to capital that can be used with less interest.” The Advance Payments Program is a vehicle that provides producers across commodities with access to low-cost advances of up to $1 million, based on the value of their product. This announcement allows for the first $250,000 to be interest free, which will help hog farmers with cash flow and savings on interest they would have otherwise paid. Last year, Manitoba Pork Credit Corporation borrowed over $21.2 million to producers across Western Canada.

By Farms.com Making their farm community proud, two finalists from the 4-H Canada Science Fair, Mark Norregaard and Nia Smith, are set to advance to the prestigious 2024 Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF). This national event celebrates the brightest young minds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) across Canada. Norregaard, a 17-year-old from Balzac, AB, has previously made waves at the 4-H Canada Science Fair, this year marking his fifth appearance as a finalist. His latest project delves into the health of calf populations, comparing the responses of vaccinated versus non-vaccinated calves to prevent outbreaks of Bovine Respiratory Disease. On the other hand, Smith, a 14-year-old newcomer from Brandon, MB, has taken a different approach, focusing on the efficacy of home hydroponic systems. Her research aims to determine the best medium for seed germination in hydroponic setups, a key factor for successful home gardening. Their achievements have not only earned them spots at the CWSF but have also highlighted the ongoing commitment of 4-H Canada to STEM education. Supported by partners like Bayer CropScience Canada and the Government of Canada, the 4-H Canada Science Fair provides a platform for young innovators to tackle real-world problems with creative solutions. As the interest in STEM continues to grow among Canada's youth, initiatives like the 4-H Canada Science Fair are crucial for nurturing the next generation of leaders in science and agriculture. Congratulations to Mark and Nia on their achievements and best of luck at the Canada-Wide Science Fair!