Pending Slaughter Plant Opening Applauded
CANADA - Saskatchewan's pork producers are applauding the pending opening of the newly renovated Thunder Creek Pork processing plant in Moose Jaw, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Opening of Thunder Creek Pork: Expectations
CANADA - The mayor of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, says the re-establishment of federally inspected pork processing in Saskatchewan will mean the creation of new jobs and economic activity, writes Bruce C...

Benchmarking Pilot Project Slated for Early 2011
CANADA - A Benchmarking Pilot Project slated to begin early next year will provide pork producers a new tool for comparing their costs of production, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Environmental Regulations Concern Pork Producers
CANADA - Manitoba's pork producers are expressing concern over crippling environmental regulations that have forced many small and medium sized operations out of business, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Production Costs May Determine Profitability for Hogs
CANADA - A US-based agricultural economist projects production costs, particularly feed costs, will be the biggest factor affecting profitability in the North American hog industry this winter, writes...

Strong Dollar Could Offset Feed Cost Advantage
CANADA - A US-based agricultural economist says the strong value of the Canadian dollar will likely offset a feed cost advantage being created for western Canadian pork producers as a result of the rising...

Harsh Conditions Limit Cereal Grain Yield Increases
CANADA - A researcher with the University of Saskatchewan suggests harsh western Canadian growing conditions are the biggest factor limiting improvements in cereal grain yields, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Economics Blamed for Declines in Barley Acres
CANADA - A researcher with the University of Saskatchewan suggests the main reason for recent drops in the number of acres seeded to barley in western Canada is economics, Bruce Cochrane writes.

All Risk Mortality Insurance for Hog Sector Endorsed
CANADA - The government of Manitoba is expressing its support for the creation of all risk mortality insurance for the hog sector, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Pork Commentary: Maple Leaf Foods Burlington Sold
CANADA - This week's North American Pork Commentary from Jim Long.

Maple Leaf Completes Sale to Fearmans Pork Inc.
CANADA - Maple Leaf Foods announced yesterday that it has closed the sale of its pork processing operation, located in Burlington, Ontario, to Fearmans Pork, Inc., an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners...

Maple Leaf to Close Sale of Burlington Pork Plant
CANADA - Maple Leaf Foods Inc. announced yesterday that it is proceeding with the sale of its pork processing operation, located in Burlington, Ontario, to an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners Inc.

Slaughter Numbers Push Down Live Hog Prices
CANADA - The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture reports the biggest factor putting downward pressure on North American live hog prices right now is the seasonal increase in the number of slaughter hogs...

Pork Commentary: New Highs for CME Hogs
CANADA - This week's North American Pork Commentary from Jim Long.

Govt Helps Saskatchewan Livestock Producers
CANADA - The Government of Canada is helping livestock producers in North-Eastern parts of Saskatchewan who are struggling as a result of excess moisture by offering tax deferrals to a number of municipalities....

Western Barley Production Projected to Fall
CANADA - The Canadian Wheat Board projects the volume of barley produced this year in western Canada will fall to its lowest level in 40 years, Bruce Cochrane writes.

Surge in Marketings Cause Live Hog Price Declines
CANADA - The risk management director with h@ms is blaming recent declines in live hog prices on a larger than normal seasonal surge in hog supplies, Bruce Cochrane writes.

Pork Commentary: Bullish US/Canadian Inventory Report
CANADA - This week's North American Pork Commentary from Jim Long.

PRRS Costs Canadian Swine Industry $130M Per Year
CANADA - The George Morris Centre estimates Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome is costing the Canadian swine industry a minimum of 130 million dollars per year, according to Bruce Cochrane.

Pork Commentary: New Corn, Seasonal Supply Surge
CANADA - This week's North American Pork Commentary from Jim Long.

Pork Commentary: Nasty Week for Hog Prices
CANADA - This week's North American Pork Commentary from Jim Long.

Nations More Open to Bilateral Trade Agreements
CANADA - Canada's Agriculture Minister says that in the absence of progress in multilateral trade discussions at the World Trade Organization, nations have become much more receptive to securing bilateral...

Canada: Where We've Been; Where We Might be Going
CANADA - Canada like the rest of North America and several other pork exporting nations in the world has had extreme pressure on its pork industry in the last three years, writes Bob Fraser from Sales...

Pork Commentary: Corn Price Shock
CANADA - This week's North American Pork Commentary from Jim Long.

Improved Profit Margins Expected in Maple Leaf
CANADA - Maple Leaf Foods is confident a Comprehensive Value Creation Plan approved by the company's board of directors last week will boost profit margins by 75 per cent over the next five years, writes...

US COOL Discriminates Against Canadian Imports
CANADA - The Canadian Pork Council says, while Canada supports the concept of Country of Origin Labelling, requirements must not discriminate against imported products, Bruce Cochrane writes.

Prairie Swine Centre Rebounds from Financial Crisis
CANADA - A combination of strategies designed to cut costs and improve efficiency have helped the Prairie Swine Centre survive the prolonged down-turn in the pork industry, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Key to Maintaining Profitable Hog Prices Revealed
CANADA - The president of the Canadian Pork Council says keeping the supply and demand curve in balance will be key to maintaining profitable hog prices as Canadian pork producers move into 2011, Bruce...

Key to Canadian Pork Industry's Long Term Viability
CANADA - The president of the Canadian Pork Council suggests the long term viability of the Canadian pork industry will depend on its ability to extract a premium price for a premium product, according...

Pork Product Exports Up Despite Output Decline
CANADA - Exports of Canada's pork products have managed to hold steady and even climb despite live hog output in the country continuing to decline.