Assiniboine Community College is offering two training sessions to ensure all hog producers have the opportunity to become certified. Both sessions are free of charge and attendants must confirm their attendance prior to the course as a minimum number of students is required for the courses to run. To reserve a seat in class or for more information, please contact Patricia Cesar at 1-800-862-6307 ext. 6965, 204-725-8700 ext. 6965 or cesarpp@assiniboine.net.

EMERGENCY FIRST AID
Location: Elie (Community Club – 23 Main Street E.)
Date: June 7, 2013
Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Min.: 10 participants/ Max.: 12 participants

H2S AWARENESS
Location: Elie (Veteran’s Hall – 34 Main Street E.)
Date: June 21, 2013
Time: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Min.: 12 participants/ Max.: 25 participants

PDF version.

Published on May 7, 2013

The current system for housing sows was adopted to improve animal welfare, supported by veterinarians. MPC Chairman Karl Kynoch says that “skilled herdsman always try to provide the best care possible to their animals, and they want to ensure that they do not take any steps backwards regarding animal welfare.”

MPC has invested heavily into sow housing research to make sure that information and tools will be in place to help farmers with conversions to group housing.

In Embracing a Sustainable Future, MPC commits to the following.

“Manitoba Pork commits to encouraging producers to phase out by 2025, the style of dry sow stalls currently used. New forms of housing must be practical and provide protection to animals and humans alike.”

Retail Council of Canada Grocery Members’ Commitment on Sow Housing

CPC’s Response to Retail Council of Canada’s Commitment on Sow Housing

Agriculture Today talks to Livestock Specialist Joel DeRouchey and Swine Veterinarian Steve Dritz on sow gestation stalls.

Chicago moms talk about gestation stalls

The Field Moms see and talk about the options for sow housing — gestation stalls and group housing.

May 3, 2013

Director’s Message

When I read a report on commodity price speculation, I always look at the author. Once I understand who the author is, it helps me determine the credentials of the writer and my ability to follow the suggestions. I could write a commentary on computer printers but it wouldn’t be based on expertise but on opinion, and my frustration when they don’t do what I want. My minimal depth of knowledge on the topic should limit the uptake of those who read the info.

If you look back at the recent past, many groups have been making announcements and giving their opinion on how animals should be raised. Today there is a major disconnect to agriculture, and social media like YouTube and Facebook have turned into experts in every topic – lot of emotion and little science.

The reality is that you, as hog producers, have the best credentials to tell your story. People who work with livestock day in and day out understand their business. The more we share our story with others the more our story is understood.

As you are aware, the gestation stall or maternity pen debate is a hot topic these days. I would like to tell you my story and I encourage you to write in to MPC and tell your story. We may feature it in an upcoming issue of Chop Talk.
My story is this. When my wife and I started hog farming in the mid 1980′s, we had our sows housed in pens. We knew that doing this was better than housing them outside, as both of our fathers and others did in the past. We brought enhanced welfare to the animal, as well as improved bio security. Although pens were an improvement, our experience revealed to us that housing pregnant sows individually provided a higher level of care.

We also found that sows were not exposed to other aggressive sows, eliminating the risk of harm to the sow and unborn piglets. It’s a safer working environment for ourselves and employees and we could feed the sows individually to ensure they got the right amount of feed.

My wife and I are aware of consumer demand. Other livestock sectors in the past have adjusted to specialty requests like organically grown produce and free range eggs. That being said, if there are markets out there that will pay a premium for a product, I am open to explore that, but not at the cost of animal welfare. In a time when there are many opinions on what we do, it is time for the experts (you) to tell your story.

Rick Bergmann, Vice-Chairman

Flood updates

MAFRI – grants available

For a listed of included retailers please visit the RCC website.

MPC staff member elected to Agriculture in the Classroom – Manitoba Board

Last month at its AGM, Agriculture in the Classroom celebrated 25 years of raising awareness and educating students about agriculture. Approximately 100 guests attended the AGM at the Western Canadian Aviation Museum. During the meeting, Manitoba Pork Council’s Laurel Lyons was elected to the board of directors for a three-year term. MPC is a major sponsor of Agriculture in the Classroom and is involved with various events throughout the year including the Made in Manitoba Breakfast program and the Amazing Agriculture Adventure.

Cost of production survey – volunteers needed

Please contact your local municipality or flood liaison office for up to date flood information. All the water levels, any contact information, flood bulletins, etc. can all be found on the Government of Manitoba web site.

For latest news on flood updates:

Forecasts / Reports

Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation

Spring flood outlook update for Manitoba

April 19, 2013

Message from the Chair

During MPC’s Annual General Meeting last week, I was able to speak with many Manitoba hog producers. It’s apparent that the concern foremost on their minds is the viability of the industry and the challenge of competing with our U.S. counterparts in receiving a parity price for hogs. If Manitoba’s hog industry is going to compete in the North American market and survive long term, it’s imperative that they receive equal pricing.

For processing plants, many challenges were discussed including high environmental, water and labour costs. Producers understand these costs are high in Manitoba and would like to work on ways to improve. A resolution was presented at the AGM asking Council to organize an emergency meeting with all Canadian industry players (producers, processors, retail and government) to find a long-term solution to this crisis. Council is already working with its western counterparts to see if there is something we can do together to improve the viability of the industry. We are also looking at other ways to try to stabilize cash flows now that the Manitoba government has refused the Manitoba Hog Stabilization Program. There are some producers ready to pack it in – I have never seen this level of concern about the viability of the industry in the 35 years I’ve been in it. Council understands that producers need something now, but there is currently nothing on the table that can offer immediate relief. Council will continue to look at every option possible.

Karl Kynoch
Chairman, MPC

MPC Annual General Meeting

MPC Board of Directors

Three resolutions were presented to the Board by producers at the AGM. They can be found here. 

A list of presentations at the AGM can be seen here.

COOL

This week Elsie Jordaan, PhD candidate, Biosystems Engineering spoke at a special session on anaerobic digestion, including contrast of drivers of anaerobic digestion in Wisconsin and Manitoba.

Anaerobic digestion is a growing industry. Wisconsin has numerous farm-scale dairy digesters in operation, producing 121 000 MWh of energy annually. Wisconsin’s first community digester has recently started operating in Dane County. This case study will look at various aspects of the Dane County Community Digester, such as operation, feedstock, biogas and digestate use, issues, and benefits. Currently there are no operating farm-scale anaerobic digesters in Manitoba. However, a demonstration project by Manitoba Hydro is underway near Winkler. A brief case study contrasts the drivers of anaerobic digestion in Wisconsin and Manitoba.

View the PowerPoint Presentation here. 

Hire and retire

Ron Marchenski (pictured above), Program Manager of the Advance Payments Program (APP), has done a great job establishing positive working relationships with producers and his dedication to the hog industry will be missed. Ron has worked out of MPC’s office for six years delivering the credit program. Manitoba Pork Credit Corporation (MPCC) thanks Ron for his outstanding service and wishes him well as he enters retirement.

MPCC welcomes Randy Ozunko as the new Manager of the Advance Payments Program as of April 17. Randy brings 27 years of agricultural experience with him. After obtaining a degree in Commerce from the University of Manitoba, Randy started his career with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) in ‘86 as an Administrative Officer. In ‘91 while still with MARFI, he moved to Boards, Commission and Legislation working as a Program Specialist. He administered various boards while at MAFRI, including the Farm Machinery Board, Milk Prices Review Commission, Farm Practices Protection Board and the Agricultural Producers’ Organization Certification Agency. Any questions can be directed to Randy at 204-233-1913.

Cost of production survey

To view the comments and documents submitted to USDA on their proposed changes to the current COOL regulations visit this link. 

There are over 800 submissions with a lot of strong support for USDA to come into compliance with its WTO obligations. For a lengthy but very comprehensive analysis of the impact of the proposed changes on the U.S. meat industry, look at the submission by the American Meat Institute.