Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Pork Featured Articles

Better Pork magazine is published bimonthly. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Behind the Lines - February 2012

Monday, February 20, 2012

This month's cover story is based on research conducted by University of Guelph Ridgetown campus economists Randy Duffy and Ken

McEwan. Their study, financed by the Agricultural Management Institute and Ontario Pork, compares the financial fitness of Ontario's swine industry to its counterparts in other jurisdictions.

After the ongoing and continuous production and financial crises of the last few years, one might bill this as the industry's financial stock-taking. Some might consider it navel-gazing.

The economists conclude that, while pig farms generally are carrying more debt than before the crises starting in 2006, their debts have been offset to some degree at least by increases in farmland equity.

They also point out that their analyses show that not all farms lost money during the downturns and that some are ready to expand while others may be past the brink of a successful financial recovery. Such is the wide breadth of success and failure in the province's industry. That story starts on page 6.

The humane euthanizing of young animals that can't be saved is often a challenge for barn workers who are trained to raise them, not to destroy them.  Starting on page 12, staff writer Mike Mulhern looks at the air-powered Zephyr stun gun, which might become the instrument of choice for livestock workers facing that unpleasant task.

Among our regular columnists, nutrition writer Janice Murphy explores the role of dietary clay in reducing diarrhea in newly weaned pigs. Dr. Ernest Sanford reports on PCV2 research. And European writer Norman Dunn tells us that tranquilized sows produce piglets that perform better than the offspring of females that suffered birthing pains. BP

ROBERT IRWIN
 

Current Issue

June 2025

Better Pork Magazine

Farms.com Swine News

Calf Auction Raises Funds for Youth

Monday, June 30, 2025

Wyatt Westman-Frijters from Milverton won a heifer calf named Ingrid through a World Milk Day promotion by Maplevue Farms and a local Perth, Ontario radio station. Instead of keeping the calf, 22-year-old Westman-Frijters chose to give back to the community. The calf was sent to the... Read this article online

Expert Gopher Help for Farmers

Friday, June 27, 2025

With gopher populations increasing across Saskatchewan, many landowners are struggling with crop loss and land damage. These rodents not only reduce crop yields but also create dangerous conditions for livestock. In response, the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF), supported by the... Read this article online

Cattle Stress Tool May Boost Fertility

Friday, June 27, 2025

Kansas State University researchers have developed a cool tool that may help reduce cattle stress and improve artificial insemination (AI) results. The idea came from animal science experts Nicholas Wege Dias and Sandy Johnson, who observed that cattle accustomed to their environment... Read this article online

Ontario pasture lands get $5M boost

Friday, June 27, 2025

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $5 million to strengthen shared community grazing pastures. This funding supports the province’s plan to protect Ontario’s agriculture sector and help cattle farmers improve pasture quality, ensuring long-term sustainability and... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top