New Agri Minister to Meet with Leaders and Farmers
CANADA - Manitoba's newly appointed agriculture minister says he's looking forward to meeting with farmers to get a handle on their needs and gather suggestions on what can be done to assist them, writes...

Increased Access to AgriStability Applauded
CANADA - Manitoba Pork Council is applauding the federal and provincial governments following last week's announcement that Manitoba's pork producers will be able to access a higher percentage of their...

Hog Farm Transition Program Tendering Goes On
CANADA - The first tenders under the 75 million dollar Canadian Hog Farm Transition Program are scheduled to be awarded later this week, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Producers' Traceability Costs to Be Offset
CANADA - Saskatchewan's agriculture minister is hoping enhanced traceability within Canada's livestock sector will help secure ongoing access to overseas markets for Canadian food products, writes Bruce...

Cull Breeding Swine Program Audits Underway
OTTAWA, CANADA - As a requirement of the Cull Breeding Swine Program (CBSP), random audits are being conducted to ensure culled breeding swine facilities are in compliance.

New Livestock Traceability Rebate Introduced
CANADA - The Saskatchewan Government has introduced a new voluntary livestock traceability rebate, writes Bruce Cochrane.

More TAP Benefits for Manitoba Pork Producers
MANITOBA, CANADA - In response to increased challenges facing Manitoba's pork industry, pork producers will now be able to access 75 per cent of their estimated 2009 AgriStability payment. This increase...

Brisk Interest Seen in Hog Farm Transition Program
CANADA - The Canadian Pork Council reports producers from every province have registered for the first round of bidding under the Hog Farm Transition Program, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Investment Encouraged in Those Who Farm the Land
CANADA - A University of Manitoba plant science professor is urging society to re-invest more of the money saved from reduced food costs in ensuring the stability of farming, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Making Use of Existing Support Programs Encouraged
CANADA - Manitoba agriculture minister is encouraging the province's pork producers to make use of existing programs to cope with ongoing losses while her staff explores additional avenues for providing...

Pork Producers Step Up Call for Provincial Assistance
CANADA - Manitoba Pork Council is urging the provincial government to follow the lead of the federal government and several other provinces in providing support for its hog sector, writes Bruce Cochra...

KAP Calls on Manitoba to Help Hog Producers
CANADA - KAP is calling on Manitoba to offer assistance to hog producers similar to that offered in other provinces, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Hog Farm Transition Program Award at Month's End
CANADA - The first ten million dollars under a program designed to assist hog producers in exiting the industry will be awarded at the end of this month, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Saskatchewan Pork Producers to Receive TAP
CANADA - Saskatchewan pork producers facing cash flow challenges now have access to AgriStability Targeted Advance Payments (TAP). Pork producers can now receive a TAP of up to 75 per cent of their estimated...

Effectiveness of Pork Industry Restructuring Program
CANADA - Officials within Canada's pork industry will be closely monitoring the ability of producers to access loans under a new federal Loan Loss Reserve Program being offered through Canada's chartered...

Early Registration for Hog Farm Transition Program
CANADA - The Saskatchewan Pork Development Board is advising pork producers planning on participating in the new Hog Farm Transition Program to register early in order to qualify for the first round of...

Quick Application for New Debt Consolidation Loans
CANADA - Farm Credit Canada is advising pork producers planning to apply for loans under a just launched federal pork industry restructuring plan to do so quickly, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Pork Industry Restructuring Plan Details Announced
CANADA - Canada's agriculture minister says there is a future for hog production in this country but the industry needs to right sized, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Program Available for Canadian Pork Producers
CANADA - Canadian pork producers can start applying for government-backed loans on Monday. Applications will also be available for the Hog Farm Transition Program starting this week.

CPC Launches Traceability Ear Tag Distribution
CANADA - The Canadian Pork Council has launched the distribution of its traceability ear tags as part of the development of a national swine traceability system, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Further Cuts Needed to Drive Up Hog Prices
CANADA - A Des Moines, Iowa-based agricultural economist says further reductions will be needed in the North American breeding herd to push up hog prices and restore profitability, writes Bruce Cochra...

Positive Aspects of Pork Production to be Highlighted
CANADA - Winnipeg-based Finer Feeds is encouraging a greater awareness of the positive aspects of swine production in western Canada, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Researcher Wins Animal Science Award
CANADA - A research scientist in animal behavior with the Prairie Swine Centre has been named the recipient of the Canadian Society of Animal Science Award for Technical Innovation in Enhancing the Production...

Coordinated Approach to Addressing Disease Urged
CANADA - An associate professor with Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon suggests the pork industry's experience with PCVAD has demonstrated the need for a coordinated approach to dealing...

Hendrix Genetics Names Vice President, Americas
CANADA - To further enhance the activities and market position of Hendrix Genetics (ISA layers, Hypor pigs and Hybrid Turkeys) in the Americas, the company has named Mr. David Libertini as Vice President,...