New hog grading system brings higher returns Monday, November 4, 2013 by MATT MCINTOSHProducers will earn one per cent more for their hogs under a new grading system, says a recent Ontario Pork press release.Yesterday, Ontario Pork confirmed the introduction of a new grading grid that gives farmers more flexibility when it comes to shipping hogs."Under the old grid, producers who ship hogs with an optimal fat and muscle content receive a premium," says Patrick O'Neil, division manager for Ontario Pork's marketing branch. "The new grid expands that optimal weight range, meaning producers have the option of shipping heavier hogs."For example, the narrow optimal range under the previous system ran between 85 and 100 kilograms carcass weight. Now, that range goes from 85 to 105 kilograms."We found that, of all the pigs being shipped, there is a one per cent increase in returns," says O'Neil.The new grading grid works within Ontario Pork's pool and pool plus marketing programs.Under pool plus, farmers contract with and ship their hogs to a variety of processing plants, then receive an average price determined by Ontario Pork.The pool program is the same, but does not involve signing a contract.O'Neil says farmers can go to oink.ca, or call Ontario Pork to see how the grid will specifically affect them. BF Hog service fee reduced Food bank award recognizes pork program organizers
GIFS at USask CEO applauds transparent, science-based approval of gene-edited pig Friday, February 13, 2026 The CEO of the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan is applauding Health Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) following the regulatory approval of the PRRS-resistant pig, which was developed... Read this article online
Recall against Alberta ag minister likely to fail Thursday, February 12, 2026 The recall against Alberta’s minister of agriculture is likely to fail. With only nine days remaining to collect signatures, organizers in Minister RJ Sigurdson’s riding of Highwood have only secured 807 of the 15,788 (5.1 per cent) signatures required to recall the minister, according to... Read this article online
Possible measles exposure at Manitoba Ag Days Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Health officials in Manitoba are asking anyone who attended Ag Days in Brandon and the surrounding area to monitor symptoms of measles. “Possible exposures may have occurred in the city on the event days, on the days leading up to it and the days following it…,” Manitoba Health said in a... Read this article online
Former ag minister Ritz remembers working with Prime Minister Harper Wednesday, February 11, 2026 On the heels of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s official portrait unveiling in Ottawa on Feb. 3, Farms.com connected with his agriculture minister Gerry Ritz about working with Canada’s 22nd prime minister. Ritz, who in 2020 was elected reeve for the Rural Municipality of Mervin in... Read this article online
Bonnefield joins Canadian Agriculture Investment Coalition Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Bonnefield Financial Inc. announced its participation in a new investment coalition focused on strengthening Canada’s agriculture and food industry. The coalition, brought together by Farm Credit Canada, includes more than 20 investment organizations. Together, they are prepared to invest... Read this article online