Day One Care Day One Care Across the industry, litters have continued to grow, and the number of quality weaned pigs has followed. Yet a critical challenge persists: Preweaning mortality is not improving at the pace producers need.
Porcine Ear Necrosis Porcine Ear Necrosis Since at least the 1960s, porcine ear necrosis (PEN) – also known as ear-tip necrosis – has puzzled veterinarians and producers worldwide.
Painkiller Patch for Pigs Painkiller Patch for Pigs An experimental pain-relieving drug delivery method for farm animals using microneedle patches may not have delivered an effective dose, but it took a pivotal step that offers new leads for innovation.
The Opportunities in Manure Management The Opportunities in Manure Management Manure is arguably one of agriculture’s most under-appreciated resources. Far from being just a waste product, it carries significant nutrient and economic value when managed well.
Maximizing Sow Productive Lifetime Maximizing Sow Productive Lifetime Key factors such as health, nutrition, environment, management, and genetics significantly impact a sow’s longevity.
Water Acidification Water Acidification Water, depending on its physical, chemical, and bacteriological characteristics, can be an ally or a threat.
Research Commitment to Benefit Producers Research Commitment to Benefit Producers The University of Guelph will lead the construction and revitalization of critical agri-food research capacity, powered by a $41-million investment in ARIO research infrastructure from the Government of Ontario.
Expert Roundtable - From Pig Genes to Faba Beans Expert Roundtable - From Pig Genes to Faba Beans They say “what you don’t know can’t hurt you,” but they also say “knowledge is power.” For the pork sector, the latter is true.
Online Hub Brings it all Together Online Hub Brings it all Together This new online hub was developed by Invasives Canada and Animal Health Canada in collaboration with the Invasive Wild Pig Leadership Group.
Inhaled Hog Farm Dust Disrupts Gut Health Inhaled Hog Farm Dust Disrupts Gut Health Inhaling agricultural dust may pose significant risks to gut health for workers in animal agriculture, a University of California, Riverside, study has found.
Navigating The World of Phytogenics in Swine Nutrition Navigating The World of Phytogenics in Swine Nutrition These plant-derived feed additives are becoming increasingly popular, with an ever-expanding range of products on the market.
AI, AI, OHH! AI, AI, OHH! While AI might equate with insemination on many pig farms, it’s the ‘other AI’ that is birthing a new era for ag.
From Feed to Health From Feed to Health Artificial intelligence is a hot topic seemingly everywhere at the moment.
Mail Delivery & Labour Unrest Mail Delivery & Labour Unrest A Canada Post strike appears to be looming once again.
Combining Technology & Expertise to Enhance Profitability Combining Technology & Expertise to Enhance Profitability We live in an age in which technology and access to mass amounts of data are central to our lives.
Science Sets the Table for Success Science Sets the Table for Success Hockey, beer and quality pork. Aside from being the perfect first date, they all scream “Canada.”
Domestic Pork Processing Largely Unaffected (For Now) Domestic Pork Processing Largely Unaffected (For Now) Tariffs and trade wars with the United States are an ongoing and pressing topic of conversation.
Lighting Requirements: Why Is It Important to Maintain Proper Lighting in the Barn? Lighting Requirements: Why Is It Important to Maintain Proper Lighting in the Barn? It is important to have a proper light plan (intensity and photoperiod) for the needs of each production phase.
Helping Sows Beat the Heat Helping Sows Beat the Heat As summer temperatures arrive earlier and stay warmer for longer, heat stress is becoming a recurring challenge on pig farms across Canada.
Investing In Welfare Investing In Welfare During the 2025 Banff Pork Seminar in January, Dr. Yolande Seddon was again named the University of Saskatchewan’s research chair in swine welfare.
Gene Editing Gene Editing The interest in the possibilities offered by gene editing is growing – in both human medicine and in the livestock world.
Canadian Pork In Asia Canadian Pork In Asia There have been a handful of stories in recent months on Canadian pork and its presence in Asia.
Animal Welfare Animal Welfare Animal welfare is defined as “the physical and mental state of an animal in relation to the conditions in which it lives and dies.”
Using Models to Enhance Sow Productivity Using Models to Enhance Sow Productivity Modern swine production demands precision in feeding high-prolific sows to ensure both longevity and optimal performance.
The More You Know, The More You Grow The More You Know, The More You Grow They may not bring an apple for the teacher anymore, but education is still a core value for producers.
How much methane are swine barns actually producing? … and how can that be reduced? How much methane are swine barns actually producing? … and how can that be reduced? The good news is that manure storage is a prime opportunity for emissions reduction that can be achieved in the short term.
Backgrounder: Looking Into the Jellied Pork Recall Backgrounder: Looking Into the Jellied Pork Recall On Oct. 16, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a food recall warning for Wagener’s brand ham in jelly due to listeria.
Pork Research: The More You Learn, The More You Earn Pork Research: The More You Learn, The More You Earn Today, science is tasked with making pork production faster, easier, cheaper and greener – so, no pressure!
Maple Leaf to Separate Pork Business Maple Leaf to Separate Pork Business Maple Leaf Foods announced in July that it would spin off its pork business into a separate independent company.
Engineering A Better Farm Engineering A Better Farm There are many big issues facing the livestock industry, from climate change and emerging diseases to changing societal expectations and an evolving regulatory environment.
Advancing Sustainable Pork Production Advancing Sustainable Pork Production As the world’s population grows, there is an increasing need to produce more food.
Expert Advice at a Moderate Price (Free!) Expert Advice at a Moderate Price (Free!) Even for the savvy, well-rounded producer, it can be tough to keep up.
Industry reacts to new USDA ‘Product of USA’ rules Industry reacts to new USDA ‘Product of USA’ rules The rule change will come into effect in 2026, but in the meantime, pork producers on both sides of the border have expressed concerns.
Strategies In Breeding Strategies In Breeding Animal breeding literature supports this decision, from historical selection experiments illustrating that increases in total born do not necessarily increase the number weaned.
Protein And Fiber Kinetics Protein And Fiber Kinetics Protein and fibre are two of the key nutrients that swine nutritionists consider when designing diets.
A Team Approach To Combat Wild Pigs A Team Approach To Combat Wild Pigs Since spreading from Europe and Asia to North America, wild pigs have been wreaking havoc across Canada. While the problem is a source of pain for farmers, the nationwide response should be a source of pride.
Deckert Joins Swine Faculty at OVC Deckert Joins Swine Faculty at OVC Over three decades ago, Dr. Anne Deckert first started working at the Ontario Veterinary College as a summer student for Dr. Bob Friendship.
Coping with Heat Stress Coping with Heat Stress In Canada, the warm summer months increase the ambient temperature inside pig barns. When the ambient temperature within pig barns rises above 25 C, pigs will start to experience heat stress.
Stopping ASF spread by wild boars Stopping ASF spread by wild boars It's been more than five years since African Swine Fever (ASF) first broke out in China.
Could JEV Leave the Pork Sector DOA? Could JEV Leave the Pork Sector DOA? If you thought three letters couldn't do much damage, you've never dealt with the CRA.
Understanding & Addressing Sow Mortality Understanding & Addressing Sow Mortality Genetic improvement for sow prolificacy has been very successful. Unfortunately, sow survivability has inadvertently been decreasing.
Trace Mineral Nutrition Trace Mineral Nutrition The grow-finishing period in commercial swine production represents the phase of production with the longest time frame.
Avoiding Scammers Avoiding Scammers Education is the best way to keep your farm business safe. Farms, like every other business, are at risk of being targeted by scammers.
Research solves practical swine industry problems Research solves practical swine industry problems Dr. Lee-Anne Huber's goal for her swine research program at the University of Guelph is simple.
Acid binding capacity-4: A key parameter in weaned pig diet formulation. Acid binding capacity-4: A key parameter in weaned pig diet formulation. The post-weaning period is a critical and often stressful phase in a young pig's life, drawing significant attention to optimizing the gastrointestinal tract.
Applying Imaging Technologies Applying Imaging Technologies Pork producers select pigs for slaughter based on the evaluation of live pig conformation and weight, which are labour-intensive and stressful for the pigs.
'Disinfection Is Critical to Our Industry' 'Disinfection Is Critical to Our Industry' A Reminder to Review Your Procedures & Keep Your Stock on Track.
Value of Validation Value of Validation Swine producers often require real-world proof to be convinced of the efficacy of new innovations before implementing them on their farms.
How dietary zinc & copper ratios impact metabolic balance in weaned pigs How dietary zinc & copper ratios impact metabolic balance in weaned pigs The National Research Council [1] recommends 80 to 100 mg/kg of dietary zinc (Zn) and 5 to 6 mg/kg of copper (Cu) for 7 to 25 kg piglets.
Gut Reactions: Exploring The Microbiome Gut Reactions: Exploring The Microbiome The world offers much to marvel at: Childbirth; space travel; a massive group of fungi.
New Hub Helps Farmers Prepare for Disasters Friday, March 20, 2026 A new initiative has been introduced in Canada to strengthen farm safety and emergency readiness. The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association has launched anEmergency Preparedness Hubdesigned to support farmers, families, workers, and rural communities. The hub brings together important... Read this article online
Rural Canada Gets Boost From ADAMA Friday, March 20, 2026 ADAMA Canada has announced funding support for 22 community projects across the country through its Stomping Grounds initiative. Each selected project will receive up to $10,000, with a total investment of $127,000 this year. The program focuses on improving rural communities and supporting... Read this article online
Canola Meal Boosts Dairy Farm Profits Friday, March 20, 2026 Dairy nutrition is becoming more complex as farmers aim to improve animal performance while managing rising costs. Today, feed ingredients must provide not only protein but also energy and essential amino acids to support better efficiency and profitability. Canolameals haveemergedas a... Read this article online
Bruce Burrows Leads Grain Growers Canada Friday, March 20, 2026 Grain Growers of Canada has announced the appointment of Bruce Burrows as its new Executive Director, effective April 1, 2026. With more than four decades of experience, Burrows brings strong leadership and deep knowledge of policy, transportation, and industry relations to the... Read this article online
AAFC releases 2026-27 Departmental Plan Friday, March 20, 2026 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada released its plans, priorities, and spending allotments for the next three years. The plan identifies multiple key priorities for 2026-27 and beyond. They are: Building sector capacity, growth and competitiveness Climate change and the... Read this article online