Sharing of Pig Handling Tips and Techniques
CANADA - A new "Low Stress Pig Handling" blog is allowing those who make their living moving pigs to share practical information on low stress swine handling techniques, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Value of Advertising and Promotion to Market Pork
CANADA - Research being conducted by the University of Alberta suggests the value of advertising and promotion within the pork industry can't be underestimated, according to Bruce Cochrane.

Low Stress Pig Handling Techniques Save Time
CANADA - A Saskatchewan-based low stress pig handling trainer says the techniques that save time when moving pigs also save a lot of frustration, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Low-Stress Handling Compensates for Other Flaws
CANADA - A Saskatchewan-based low-stress pig handling trainer says techniques that use the pig's natural behaviour to ease movement can be effective in less-than-ideally designed as well modern production...

Animal Welfare Schedule Gets Favourable Response
CANADA - Maple Leaf Foods reports producers who supply hogs to its Brandon pork processing plant have responded favorably to it new animal handling policy schedule, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Pork Producers Advised to Use Needleless Injectors
CANADA - Manitoba Pork Council is encouraging the province's pork producers to take advantage of a new program which offers assistance for the purchase of a needless injector, writes Bruce Cochrane.

New Programme Assists Manitoba Pork Producers
CANADA - Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Initiatives has launched a new programme under Growing Forward which will help producers with the purchase of needleless injectors, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Transport to Slaughterhouse on Welfare Agenda
CANADA - A Liberal MP is seeks to cut lengthy transport times for livestock on way to the slaughterhouse.

Pork Industry Facing Range of Challenges
CANADA - The Saskatchewan Pork Development Board says its new board of directors will need to address a range of challenges, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Canadian Govt Invests in Farm Animal Care in BC
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA - The Government of Canada is investing more than $500,000 to help British Columbia livestock and poultry producers share information and raise industry awareness of farm animal...

Study: Pork Quality Varies According to Compartment
CANADA - A just completed transportation study shows the quality of pork will vary depending on the compartment of the truck in which pigs are transported, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Swine Producers Encouraged to Analyse Feed Grain
CANADA - With the increasing prevalence of a new more aggressive and toxic form of Fusarium graminearum, swine producers are encouraged to make sure they know what is in the grain they feed their...

Pork Producers Welcome Reopening of PSC Elstow
CANADA - Saskatchewan pork producers are hailing the reopening of the PSC Elstow Research Farm under new ownership as very good news for the province's pork industry. writes Bruce Cochrane.

Sale of PSC Elstow Research Farm Applauded
CANADA - Western Canadian pork producers are welcoming the reopening the PSC Elstow Research Farm under new ownership as very good news for the Canadian pork industry.

Net Energy Based Ration Formulations Encouraged
CANADA - Scientists with the Prairie Swine Centre are encouraging hog producers to consider moving to net energy based ration formulations but to make the change cautiously, writes Bruce Cochrane.

CPC Strengthens Efforts on Traceability System
ALBERTA, CANADA - The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) is pleased to announce the selection of two strategic partners to implement a national traceability program for the Canadian pork sector.

Study to Influence Pen Configuration and Group Size
CANADA - Research conducted at the Prairie Swine Centre is expected to assist hog producers in deciding penning configurations and group sizes, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Research: Pigs Raised in Large Groups Handle Easier
CANADA - Bruce Cochrane writes that research conducted at the Prairie Swine Centre indicates pigs raised in large groups are much easier to handle than those raised in small groups.

Potential Advantages from Straw Based Sow Housing
CANADA - Research conducted at the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment indicates the adoption of certain animal welfare measures has the potential to increase profitability, writes Bruce...

Quick Response to Transition Plan Proposal Urged
CANADA - The Canadian Pork Council is appealing for a timely government response to it's proposed Strategic Transition Plan for the Canadian hog industry, writes Bruce Cochrane.

New Tool to Evaluate Swine Housing Costs Expected
CANADA - Scientists with the University of Manitoba hope to have a simulation model available this fall that will assist swine producers in comparing the economics of different breeding sow housing systems,...

Straw Based Sow Housing Offers Economic Benefits
CANADA - Research conducted at the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment indicates the switch from conventional slatted concrete floors to straw based group housing of sows offers certain economic...

New Standard in Canadian Housing Unveiled
CANADA - For two years, Canada has been facing difficulties in pig production. But changing circumstances motivate the innovative sector to prepare for better times. And the farm that was shared with fellow...

WCVM Upgrades to Enhance Biosecurity
CANADA - The Western College of Veterinary Medicine says improved biosecurity is among the resulting benefits of a six million dollar upgrade of its Diagnostics Laboratory and Large Animal Clinic, writes...

Expansion of Animal Clinic and Lab Nears Completion
CANADA - The Western College of Veterinary Medicine expects to complete an approximately six million dollar upgrade of its Diagnostics Laboratory and Large Animal Clinic within the next month to six weeks,...