Reading Time: 2 minutes Ontario hog producers can expect new public funding to help step up biosecurity at “critical points,” following the arrival of the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) in the province on at least two farms. The provincial government on Tuesday pledged $2 million for Ontario Pork to back “industry-wide investments to improve biosecurity measures at critical […] Read more
Ont. hog industry backed for added biosecurity measures
No changes seen to COOL in new U.S. Farm Bill
Reading Time: 3 minutes Canadian livestock groups’ hopes for change in the U.S. government’s mandatory country-of-origin labelling (COOL) laws on meat now return to the World Trade Organization (WTO), as no such changes have shown up in the U.S. Congress’ proposed new Farm Bill. U.S. Senate and House negotiators on Monday announced a bipartisan deal on a new five-year […] Read more
PED virus hits second SW Ont. hog farm
Reading Time: 3 minutes Now also suspected on third farm; industry launches task force “The reality has changed” for Ontario’s hog industry with a second, and possibly third, case of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus now found in the Chatham-Kent area. “Since the virus is highly contagious, its presence in Canada is not unexpected and more cases are expected in […] Read more
Olymel to run Coop federee’s hog farmer services
Reading Time: 2 minutes Quebec’s biggest agrifood company plans to put its services for hog farmers — such as hog herd management, animal welfare and meat quality and its swine genetics arm — under the wing of its meat packing business. La Coop federee, Quebec’s federation of ag co-operatives, announced Friday it will make those operations, including those of […] Read more
Livestock price insurance pilot to cover West
Reading Time: 3 minutes Livestock producers in the four western provinces can expect details in March on a four-year pilot program to insure against unexpected price declines. Speaking Friday at the Canadian Bull Congress at Camrose, Alta., federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and three of the four provincial governments announced a rollout this spring for a pilot of the Western […] Read more
Piglet diarrhea virus confirmed on Ont. hog farm
Reading Time: 3 minutes Virus also found on swab at Que. pork plant unloading dock Federal and provincial officials have confirmed the arrival of the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) on a hog farm in southwestern Ontario’s Middlesex County. “We’ve suspected this day may come…and we’re working with stakeholders across Canada to stay on top of this,” Dr. Greg […] Read more
Canada, Korea in ‘tremendous’ free trade talks: Ritz
Reading Time: < 1 minute Canada and South Korea are having “tremendous discussions” toward a free-trade agreement, said Canada’s Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz — a deal that could increase trade in meat and autos. Talks began in 2005, but were later hung up over disputes such as a delay in South Korea scrapping its ban on Canadian beef. South Korea […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
