The Winter 2022 edition of the Canadian Hog Journal is here!
I am relatively fresh off of a trip to Poland as part of the European Union’s (E.U.) ‘Meat with European Quality’ study tour, intended to give journalists from Canada and the U.S. an inside look at the country’s meat industry. I was invited to take part in the tour, along with several other magazine editors and freelance writers from across the continent, with diverse backgrounds in food processing, restaurants and hospitality. For me, it was an incredible opportunity to gain insights from an agriculture perspective and wave the flag for our own national industry.
How do the Canadian and Polish meat sectors stack up, especially as it relates to managing African Swine Fever (ASF)? And how do these countries’ foodservice sectors compare, with a focus on COVID-19 impacts and cultural exchange? I have tried to tackle both topics in this edition, which was a lot of fun to write and hopefully just as interesting to read.
How will ASF affect pig and pork pricing in the event it arrives in North America? Whether the virus is found in Canada or the U.S., strategies will be needed to defend the industry from financial collapse. Learn more about what some of the possibilities are and how they can be achieved.
Following a successful virtual event last year, the Porc Show – which usually takes place in-person in Quebec – replicated its digital format again this year, with a focus on market development, controlling on-farm costs and animal welfare issues. As expected, the event went off without a hitch, delivering the best experience possible for participants.
How can producers manage risk in the coming year? Hub International – a global agri-business insurance brokerage – sheds some light on what to expect.
In research, learn about emerging concerns connected to the spread of Streptococcus suis and how promoting sow health can prevent the development of intra-uterine growth-restricted piglets.
Are you reading this magazine at the Banff Pork Seminar? If you are, track me down and say hello! And if you are not at the Seminar, not to worry – we will have coverage in our next edition, published in March.
If you are unable to find me at the Alberta Pork booth, or in the Banff Springs buffet line, or at a table in the Irish pub downtown, consider sending me an email at andrew.heck@albertapork.com. I am always willing to listen to your ideas and work to find a fit in the magazine.
