Swine genetics companies merge Wednesday, March 13, 2013 by BETTER FARMING STAFFSwine Genetics Ontario (SGO) has merged with Alliance Genetics Canada (AGC).Bob Matheson, owner of RH Matheson Farms of Embro, told Better Farming his SGO herd will be added to other herds that are part of AGC. “We just added one more herd to the Alliance group,” he said.“Instead of us being known as Swine Genetics Ontario,” Matheson said, “we’ll be known as Alliance Genetics Canada.” He added that he will continue to run RH Matheson Farms in the Embro area where he has two herds, one of 450 purebred sows and the other a commercial herd of about the same size.Dave Vandenbroek, CEO of AGC, quoted in a news release, said, “This agreement adds another strong nucleus to our top Duroc, Yorkshire and Landrace genetics.”The news release also said combining AGC and SGO ”will together make up the largest genetically connected nucleus in Canada.”AGC was described as “a swine genetics company made up of 13 nucleus herds with 9,000 purebred sows” while SGO was described as “the genetic herd of RH Matheson Farms.” BF Ontario SPCA issues blow up at Ontario Pork meeting Swine conference to take 'practical' approach
Swine fever deaths surge in Spain amid fears of new virus strain Wednesday, January 14, 2026 Spain has recorded a surge in the deadly African swine fever sweeping Catalonia as authorities bring in drones and helicopters to help contain the outbreak. The region’s department of agriculture announced on Monday that a further 18 wild boar have died from the highly contagious disease... Read this article online
MU Extension tackles persistent labor shortages in hog production Wednesday, January 14, 2026 University of Missouri Extension specialists are working with the swine industry and temporary visa holders to help recruit, retain and develop agriculture professionals needed to address ongoing farm labor shortages. The TN visa program was established in 1994 under the North American... Read this article online
How University of Iowa dropouts built a global ag tech company Wednesday, January 14, 2026 Matthew Rooda began working in the swine industry at a young age. First, he helped his grandfather on a family farm, and later he worked with his father, who managed a commercial farm in Iowa. When it was time for college, he enrolled at the University of Iowa with plans to study genetics... Read this article online
PowerWood Canada Secures Land for Rail Spur to Advance Biofuel Exports Tuesday, January 13, 2026 PowerWood Canada Corp has finalized the purchase of 175 acres of land in northern Alberta from Mackenzie County to construct a rail spur that will transport advanced black biofuel pellets to Canada’s tidewater for export. The land parcel, located in the Mackenzie Highway Industrial... Read this article online
Saving Pigs and Other Livestock from Deadly Diseases Tuesday, January 13, 2026 High-immune response (HIR) technology is changing how farmers protect their animals from diseasethanks to University of Guelph,Ontario Veterinary CollegeprofessorDr. Bonnie Mallard. This technology helpsidentifyanimalsthat naturallyhave stronger immune systems. These animals can pass their... Read this article online