Bilateral Free Trade Agreements Critical for Canadian Pork Inudstry Competitiveness
CANADA - Canada Pork International is urging Ottawa to put a high priority on establishing bilateral free trade agreements to ensure Canadian agriculture is able to remain competitive with its international counterparts, writes Bruce Cochrane

Government Action Needed to Level the Playing Field for Canadian Pork
CANADA - The Canadian Meat Council says decisive government action is needed to level the playing field for Canada's pork industry, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Good Facilities and Good Management Key to Animal Welfare
CANADA - An internationally renowned animal behavior specialist and livestock handling facilities designer says a combination of good facilities and good management are key to maintaining adequate animal welfare standards, writes Bruce Cochrane.

A Caring Hand Makes For Quality Meat
CANADA - “You need both good facilities and good management,” says Colorado State University animal science professor Dr. Temple Grandin.

Pork Industry Appeals to Canadian Government to Address Competitiveness Issues
OTTAWA - The pork industry is appealing to the federal government to assist in addressing short- and long-term competitiveness issues, in light of staggering challenges currently besieging the pork and processing sectors.

Swine Producers Encouraged To Consider Ingredient Cost When Formulating Diets
CANADA - Scientists at the Prairie Swine Centre are encouraging hog producers to consider ingredient cost as they formulate rations that will meet the nutritional requirements of their herds, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Noveko and Monitrol Sign Distribution Agreement
MONTREAL - Noveko International Inc. announces that it has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Monitrol Inc., a North American leader in ventilation management software and hardware for farm buildings. Under this agreement, Monitrol Inc. will...

Canadian Pork Producers Call for Free Trade Deal with Korea
CANADA - Canadian pork producers are urging Ottawa to step up negotiations aimed at achieving a free trade agreement with Korea after the announcement of such an agreement between Korea and the United States, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Big Boost For Hog Industry
QUEBEC - Christian Paradis, Secretary of State for Canadian Agriculture, has called for a one billion US$ injection to revive the pig industry.

Feasibility Study Explores Viability of Saskatchewan Hog Slaughtering Plant
CANADA - The president and CEO of Big Sky Farms is convinced Saskatchewan remains a viable option for the long term production and processing of hogs, writes Bruce Cochrane.

500 to 600 Hog Groups Optimum for Autosort Swine Handling Systems
CANADA - Research conducted at the Prairie Swine Centre suggests the optimum group size for the efficient operation of autosort swine handling systems is in the range of 500 to 600 pigs.

Research Shows Pigs Raised in Large Groups Less Aggressive than in Small Groups
CANADA - Research conducted at the Prairie Swine Centre shows pigs raised in very large groups tend to be far less aggressive than those raised in small groups, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Provincial Pork Organizations Form New Alliance to Promote Pork
CANADA - A strategic partnership between Ontario Pork, Alberta Pork and Manitoba Pork Council has been formed to streamline consumer marketing services.

Genetic Improvement Combined with Strong Management Increases Number of Piglets Born Alive
CANADA - An Iowa based swine veterinarian reports close attention to management has allowed swine producers to take full advantage of increasing litter sizes, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Prairie Swine Centre to Study Environmental Benefits of Using Paylean
CANADA - Researchers at the Prairie Swine Centre are preparing to kick off a study to examine the environmental benefits of using Paylean to improve the growth performance of grow finish hogs, writes Bruce Cochrane.