Exploring Alternative Sow Housing Options
CANADA - Researchers with the University of Manitoba have kicked off a study intended to provide pork producers options for switching from conventional to group systems for housing gestating sows, writes...

Reducing Risk of Pigs Becoming Fatigued
CANADA - Elanco Animal Health reports a few simple changes can often go a long way toward reducing the stresses that can result in losses due to pigs becoming fatigued, according to Bruce Cochrane.

Animal Care, Environment: Top Research Priorities
CANADA - Manitoba Pork Council says animal care and the environment are among the top research priorities under the organization's newly announced plan for achieving long-term sustainability of the province's...

'Embracing a Sustainable Future' Applauded
CANADA - The University of Manitoba is applauding the Manitoba pork industry's commitment to ongoing partnerships in research and education, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Long Term Vision for Sustainability Unveiled
CANADA - Manitoba Pork Council has unveiled, on behalf of the province's 700 pork producers, a vision for the long term sustainability of the pork industry in Manitoba, writes Bruce Cochrane.

CQA to Include Animal Care Assessment
CANADA - Completion of the Animal Care Assessment (ACA) requirements will become an integral component of the CQA programme effective 1 January 2012. This means that as of the first of next year, producers...

Care Conference Aims to Set Welfare Template
ALBERTA, CANADA - The Livestock Care Conference, to be held on 6 to 7 April at Red Deer, is to set the template for the future of the livestock industry.

Natural Behaviour Makes Moving Pigs Faster Easier
CANADA - A Saskatchewan based low stress pig handling trainer says by understanding of the natural instincts that drive behaviour swine handlers can make the job of moving pigs easier, faster and less...

Eliminating Castration to Reduce Boar Taint Has Advantages
CANADA - An animal science professor with the University of Guelph says eliminating the need for castration to reduce the potential for boar taint in pork promises a range of advantages, writes Bruce Cochrane....

Participation in Assessment Programme Encouraged
CANADA - Maple Leaf Consumer Foods is encouraging Canadian pork producers to participate in the Canadian Pork Council's Animal Care Assessment Programme.

Decision-Making Tools for Group Housing Conversions
CANADA - New tools being developed by the University of Manitoba will help pork producers choose the best options for converting their sow barns to group housing, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Social Aspects and Feeding Systems Play Key Role
CANADA - A researcher with the University of Manitoba suggests the social aspects of group housing and the feeding system that will be used are the main considerations when planning the switch to group...

Animal Welfare Not Necessarily Legislation-Ensured
CANADA - A researcher with the University of Manitoba suggests the legislative approach to addressing public concerns related the welfare of animals raised for food does not necessarily ensure the welfare...

Need for Livestock to Express Natural Behaviour
CANADA - A research scientist with the Prairie Swine Centre says there is a growing recognition of the need for livestock to be able exhibit natural behaviours, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Govt Cracks Down on Livestock Transport Violators
CANADA - The Government of Canada is to crack down on livestock transport violators, with new regulations that include more than doubling fines.

New Farm Building Code to Be Monitored Closely
CANADA - Manitoba's labor and immigration minister says her department will be closely monitoring the effectiveness of the province's new agricultural building code when it takes effect this fall, according...

Increased Alley Width in Swine Barns Recommended
CANADA - A researcher with the Prairie Swine Centre is recommending increasing the alley width in modern swine barns to reduce stress and make the loading of near market pigs faster and easier, writes...

Stalling Choices of Gestating Sows Examined
CANADA - Researchers with the Prairie Swine Centre hope learn why, when given the choice, some gestating sows will spend the majority of their time in stalls while others will be in the free access area...

Research Shows Some Sows Prefer Stalls
CANADA - Research conducted by the Saskatoon based Prairie Swine Centre shows, given the choice, not all sows will choose to leave their stalls, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Improving Design of Trucks Used to Move Swine
CANADA - Research conducted by the Saskatoon based Prairie Swine Centre suggests changing the design of vehicles used to transport swine to reduce stress and cut losses during transport and improve meat...

Pig Producers Applaud Agricultural Building Codes
CANADA - Manitoba's pork producers are expressing their support for plans to apply provincial building codes to the construction of new or expanded agricultural buildings, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Disparity in Ammonia Measuring Methods
CANADA - Preliminary research conducted by the Saskatoon based Prairie Swine Centre suggests commercial gas monitoring devices used in swine barns tend to indicate the presence of higher levels of ammonia...

Understanding Behaviours Key to Moving Pigs Easily
CANADA - A Saskatchewan based low stress pig handling trainer says understanding the natural behaviours of the pig and overcoming our own natural instincts are key to avoiding the frustrations often associated...

Interest in Low Stress Swine Handling Training
CANADA - A Saskatchewan-based low stress pig handling trainer reports improvements in hog markets are fueling renewed interest in techniques designed to make the job of moving pigs easier, according to...

Saskatchewan Launches 2010 Billboard Campaign
CANADA - The Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan has launched its 2010 "We Care" billboard campaign, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Farmers Concerned about Cost of New Building Rules
MANITOBA, CANADA - Pig producers in the province say farm building code changes being pushed by animal rights groups could put the industry out of business.

Govt Launches Online Video on Farm Animal Health
CANADA - The Government of Canada has launched an online video as another way to help inform producers about the best on-farm practices that can protect livestock and poultry from disease.

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.