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Better Pork Featured Articles

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


Now, a contraceptive for wild boars?

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

According to Popular Science magazine, Texas A&M University professor Duane Kraemer is working on a pig contraceptive that can be administered to wild boars out of a feeder that uses facial recognition software and cameras to differentiate the tusked feral creatures from other less undesirable species such as raccoons.

The vaccine, which causes a female's immune system to block sperm from her eggs, was approved three years ago by the Environmental Protection Agency for use in the wild. The problem with its use has always been how to administer it. Trapping feral pigs – and Texas has about two million of them – is no easy or safe task and use of the vaccine hasn't exactly taken off.

It has taken the development of facial recognition software to make this a possibility for hogs. The vaccine was originally developed by the National Wildlife Research Center in Colorado for injecting white-tailed deer. A single shot renders four of five infertile. Deer are a concern because they run into traffic. Wild boars are estimated to rip up US$400 million worth of crops annually in Texas alone. BP

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August 2025

Better Pork Magazine

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Pulse Growers Coming Together in Saskatoon

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

The Canadian Pulse Research Workshop (CPRW) will be hosted in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, from November 15 to 18, 2026. This will be the 13th edition of the event, bringing together participants from across Canada and the northern United States. The three-day workshop will highlight new... Read this article online

Alberta Supported Livestock Diagnostics

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

In partnership with the Government of Alberta, UCVM’s Diagnostic Services Unit is excited to announce the continuation and ongoing expansion of livestock diagnostic capacity in Alberta. This funding will support livestock services until March 2028. Alberta-supported services provide... Read this article online

Gearing up for Parliament’s return

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

With Parliament scheduled to resume on Monday, Sept. 15, Farms.com spoke with Tyler McCann, managing director of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, about current issues affecting ag and how those could translate into the House of Commons. Overall, McCann expects the fall session to... Read this article online

Research Projects and Companies Supported Through OAFRI

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

The governments of Canada and Ontario have announced an investment of up to $4.77 million to strengthen the province’s agri-food sector. This funding, delivered through the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable... Read this article online

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