Strahl admits hog industry in crisis
CANNING ? The hog industry is facing an "almost perfect storm of problems," federal Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl said Sunday.

Consumers Increasingly Concerned About Environmental Issues Related to Agriculture
CANADA - The latest "Canadian Consumer Attitudes Towards Pork Production Survey" shows the environment has emerged as the second most import issue on the minds of Canadians, topped only by concerns related to food safety, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Maple Leaf To Close Saskatchewan Hog Plant
ONTARIO - Further to a previous announcement regarding the pending closure of the Company's 11th Street plant in Saskatoon, Maple Leaf today announced that it will close the primary pork processing operations at the plant by June 1, 2007.

Proposed Changes to Canada’s Health of Animals Act Under Review
CANADA - Following what is described as an informal pre-consultation, a small number of changes, some significant, have been made to proposed amendments to Canada's Health of Animal’s Act.

Proposed Changes to Health of Animals Act Under Internal Review
CANADA - Changes being proposed to Canada's Health of Animals Act have moved forward for translation into legal text and internal review, writes Bruce Cochrane.

New Pork Recipe Brochure Released in Observance of Nutrition Month
CANADA - In observance of nutrition month pork promotion agencies on the prairies and in Atlantic Canada are distributing a new pork recipe brochure, writes Bruce Cochrane.

New Technology Accelerates Genetic Improvement in Swine
CANADA - A geneticist with PIC says new tools and technologies introduced over the past ten to 20 years have dramatically accelerated the rates of genetic improvement in breeding stock for swine, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Formulation Key to Maximizing the Value of Swine Rations
CANADA - The Canadian International Grains Institute says understanding how ingredients should be formulated is key to maximizing the value of rations in swine production, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Increasing Corn Price Shifts Cost Advantage in Pork Production Back to Western Canada
CANADA - The Saskatchewan Pork Development Board reports the high demand for corn for ethanol in the U.S. has helped shift the feed cost advantage back to western Canada, at least temporarily, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Maple Leaf reports “significant improvements”
TORONTO - Maple Leaf Foods Inc. has reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2006.

National Centre for Livestock and the Environment to Host Feed Processing Workshop
CANADA - Officially opened last summer, the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment’s (NCLE) new state of the art feed processing facility is allowing scientists to gain a greater understanding of the impact of feed processing on animal nutrition...

Pork industry bracing for water shortages
CANADA - Canada's hog producers are going to have to serve up less water with their pork.

Reduced Water Use Equals Reduced Costs
CANADA - A High River Alberta pork producer says water consumption in the grower barn can be slashed by an average of about 35 percent by simply switching from standard nipple water drinkers to ball bit drinkers, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Rural Communities Encouraged to Focus on Positive Work-Life Balance to Attract and Retain Workers
CANADA - A Winnipeg based labor consultant recommends focusing on the positive work-life balance offered by small rural communities to attract and retain agricultural workers, writes Bruce Cochrane.

New Feed Mill Allows Evaluation of Alternative Feed Technologies
CANADA - A new feed manufacturing facility at the University of Manitoba is allowing scientists to evaluate alternative crops for feed, and new processing equipment and technologies, writes Bruce Cochrane.