Making It Work: Housing Gestating Sows in Group Pens
CANADA - With the current social trend in sow housing is away from gestation stalls, the change has lead to Ontario pork producers examining management skills to facilitate the change from gestation crates to group housing.

Public Opposition to Manitoba Hog Moratorium Builds
CANADA - Manitoba Pork Council reports public support for the abandonment of plans to impose permanent moratoriums on hog industry development on most of the eastern of side of Manitoba is building, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Elementary School Farm Tours Build Agriculture Awareness
CANADA - A Prince Albert area honey producer says the difficulty in attracting young people into careers in agriculture makes it increasingly important to make them aware of the employment opportunities on the farm, writes Bruce Cochrane.

U.S. Farm Bill Expected to Ease M-COOL Confusion
CANADA - The president of Paragon Economics is confident final passage of the 2008 U.S. Farm Bill will end much of the uncertainty surrounding the pending introduction of U.S. Mandatory Country of Origin Labelling, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Alberta to Launch Hog Recovery Campaign
ALBERTA - In conjunction with the federal government’s $50 million swine culling program, the Alberta pork industry is launching its own recovery campaign, reports the Alberta farmer.

Stronger More Stable Hog Prices Projected
CANADA - The Manitoba Pork Marketing Co-op is projecting stronger more stable live hog prices heading toward the end of 2008, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Pork Commentary: Manitoba Government Proposes Draconian Legislation
CANADA - This weeks North American Pork Commentary from Jim Long.

Pork Revitalization Plan Presented to Producers
ALBERTA - The final draft report on the Alberta pork industry’s revitalization strategy is near completion and details will be presented to the province’s pork producers at two open industry meetings the week of May 26.

Public Input on Food Labelling in Canada
CANADA - The House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food expects its report on the labelling of food products to form the basis of discussions aimed at revamping the definition, "Product of Canada," writes Bruce Cochrane.

Swine Manure Cuts Fertilizer Costs and Produces High Quality High Yielding Crops
CANADA - Grain and oilseed growers are cutting their production costs by exercising the recycling option and using livestock manure to displace some of the commercial fertilizer normally applied to boost crop quality and yield.

"Express Support" for Withdrawal of Bill 17
CANADA - Manitoba's pork producers are urging those involved in agriculture and their supporters to become directly involved in the debate over the province's plan to ban the construction of new or expanded swine operations in most of the eastern part...

"Real Dirt on Farming" Tours Return to Saskatchewan Elementary Schools
CANADA - Approximately 150 elementary school students are expected to take part in the "Real Dirt on Farming" tours this spring, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Local Producers First To Enrich Pork with Omega3
ONTARIO - As the pork industry continues to face so many challenges, one area family is trying to put themselves at the top of the industry.

Phase II of Cull Breeding Swine Program Begins
CANADA - Canadian pork producers are now applying for the second and third allocation of funds under the Cull Breeding Swine Program. The first phase of the program was completed May 14.

Manure Saves More Dollars Than Commercial Fertilizer
CANADA - A southwestern Manitoba area grain and oilseed producer reports he saves dollars per acre by replacing commercial fertilizer with liquid swine manure to fertilize his crops, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Manitoba Program to Protect Farmers' Livestock
MANITOBA - Manitoba will continue to help farmers protect livestock from natural predators through an agreement with the Manitoba Trappers Association, Conservation Minister Stan Struthers announced today.

Pork Commentary: COOL Supported by Congress
This weeks North American Pork Commentary from Jim Long.

Livestock Manure an Environmentally Friendly Fertilizer Option
CANADA - Research conducted in Saskatchewan has shown, when applied in balance according to manure nutrient analysis and soil testing, livestock manure is an environmentally friendly fertilizer option, writes Bruce Cochrane.

High Commercial Fertilizer Cost Makes Livestock Manure Fertilizer More Attractive
CANADA - The dramatic increase in the cost of commercial fertilizer this spring is prompting growing numbers of grain and oilseed growers to look much more favourably at the use of livestock manure fertilizer as a source of nutrients for their crops.

Federal Cull Program Moves to Phase II
CANADA - The federal cull program for breeding swine is moving into a second phase to spread out remaining funds across all provinces, reports Canadian Cattlemen.