Pig genetics company partners with Russians Friday, June 3, 2011 by BETTER FARMING STAFFA Canadian pig genetics company with offices in Ontario and Manitoba is finding new opportunities in Russia.Genesus Inc. is partnering with Kubangsky Bacon, a Russian company, to market swine genetics within Russia. Once in full swing, the venture is expected to produce 40,000 sows per year.“Today it’s costing $500 to fly a pig from Canada to Russia,” says Jim Long, president and CEO of Genesus, explaining one of the motivations for the venture. Long says his company helped develop a brand new facility in Russia’s Kuban district about 1,100 miles south of Moscow between the Black and Caspian seas. The site will eventually include a 1,200-sow nucleus and two 2,600-sow multiplier units. Genesus will operate the farm, run the genetic program and market the genetics within Russia.Negotiations are underway to have an Ontario company supply feed. Long declined to name the company. “I think it would be premature,” he says.On Wednesday, federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz renewed Canada’s commitment to continue working with Russia to increase bilateral trade. A news release quoted Ritz as saying, “Russia is a growing market and partner for Canada’s agriculture sector, especially for the livestock industry.” The federal news release said the Genesus deal is worth more than $5 million and that Russia’s average imports of livestock and genetics from Canada are worth $26 million “in a potential market of $235 million.”No Canadian government funds are involved in the Genesus venture, Long says, but adds the Russian government contributed a low-interest loan. He says his company is investing about $500,000 a year for 10 years in the venture.Russia imports 40 per cent of its pork, Long says, but the country’s goal is to produce more of its own meat. Half of what is produced domestically is “still produced in backyards.” The price of a slaughter pig is “a little over $300 a pig,” he says. “It’s probably the best place in the world today to invest in swine.” BF Staged planting adds up to multiple corn crops Researchers explore green roof plant options
Award-Winning TerraTrap GS Provides Safe Pest Control Friday, March 27, 2026 The TerraTrap GS is a humane, non-toxic, multi-kill ground squirrel control system developed by experienced pest-control professionals in California. Designed specifically to manage both California Ground Squirrels and Richardson Ground Squirrels, the system has demonstrated... Read this article online
Fighting DON Mycotoxin Contamination and Tar Spot Friday, March 27, 2026 Ontario corn growers are set to receive improved support in managing two major threats to their crops: DON mycotoxin contamination and tar spot. A new five-year project will continue annual assessments of DON across corn hybrids through theGrain Farmers of Ontario’sOntario Corn Committee... Read this article online
Top Global Ranking for Guelph OVC Thursday, March 26, 2026 The University of Guelph has achieved global recognition after its Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) ranked fourth worldwide in the latest rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds, making OVC the top veterinary college in Canada. The QS rankings evaluated nearly 900 universities across... Read this article online
Canada Outstanding Young Farmers Appoints New Program Manager Thursday, March 26, 2026 Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (COYF) program will welcome a new Program Manager, Katrina Finke, on April 1, 2026. Katrina brings more than 20 years of experience as a strategic operations executive with a proven track record in leadership, governance, and operational excellence across... Read this article online
New Canadian Swine Research Targets Piglet Disease Monday, March 23, 2026 Swine InnovationPorc(SIP) is investing in new research to address Streptococcus suis, a harmful bacterial disease affecting post-weaned piglets led byDongyanXu Niu at the University of Calgary. This disease can cause serious health problems such as respiratory illness, meningitis, and sudden... Read this article online