2024 HOG FUTURES BIG BUG DAY CLEANING METHANE PREVENTING PNEUMONIA FEBRUARY 2024 $9.50 AVOIDING SCAMMERS Protect Yourself RESILIENT FARMERS Rempelco Acres 6 16 SOLVING SWINE PROBLEMS Research is Key 12 22 DR. LEE-ANNE HUBER Serves the Pork Industry
Swine Research Trial Results Advanced Animal Nutrition for Improved Human Health AB/SK: 1-866-610-5770 MB: 1-866-626-3933 fortifiednutritionltd.com 1-877-625-4400 grandvalley.com Effect of Assure® on Sow Milk Yield (kg)1 Effect of Assure® on Piglet Body Weight (kg) In 2019 a feed trial was conducted in Thailand to determine the effect of adding Assure® to the gestating and lactating diets of sows. The results are presented in the graphs below: White mycotoxin mold beginning to form on the tip of a corn cob. Effect of Assure® on Litter Statistics Average weaned/Litter 9.4 11.0 P=0.001 12 11.5 11 10.5 10 9.5 9 8.5 8 1After Wang et al., 2018. J. Anim. Sci. 96:206–214 Day 0 Day 7 Day 14 P=0.0001 P=0.0010 P=0.0010 Control Assure kg 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Day 0 Day 7 Day 14 Day 24 P=0.0001 P=0.0001 P=0.0001 1.65 2.8 4.21 1.76 6.52 7.69 P=0.0005 4.9 3.1 kg Control Assure These feeds contained low to moderate levels of mycotoxins. Control Assure
3 The Trusted Source for Canada’s Pork Producers Better Pork | February 2024 Better Pork is published six times a year by AgMedia Inc. 1-888-248-4893 ext 281 Subscriptions@BetterFarming.com ISSN 1497-2271 (Printed) Canadian one-year subscriptions: $22 (six issues; includes $2.53 HST). Two-year: $40 (12 issues; includes $4.60 HST). Single-copy back issues are $12 (including $1.38 HST). U.S. subscriptions: $39.30 annually. International: $66. GST Registration #868959347RT0001 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to AgMedia Inc. 90 Woodlawn Road West, Guelph, ON N1H 1B2 Publications Mail Registration No. 1156 Publications Mail Agreement No. 40037298 Copyright © 2024 by AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any content without written permission of the publisher is strictly forbidden. Acceptance of advertising does not constitute endorsement of the advertiser, its products or services, nor do Better Pork, AgMedia or Farms.com endorse any advertiser claims. The publisher shall have no liability for the omission of any scheduled advertising. Lee-Anne Huber photo 1-888-248-4893 90 Woodlawn Road West Guelph, ON N1H 1B2 PUBLISHER & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR PAUL NOLAN ext 202 Paul.Nolan@Farms.com ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR LESLIE STEWART ext 265 Leslie.Stewart@Farms.com EDITORIAL TEAM EMILY CROFT GEOFF GEDDES CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS EDITION MOE AGOSTINO HAYLEY BOWLING ABHINESH GOPAL JEANINE MOYER LILIAN SCHAER ADVERTISING TEAM GLENN RUEGG JENNY LONGSTREET DESIGN & PRODUCTION TEAM TANYA MYERS GREG MARLOW SHAUN CLARK ANDREA WILLIAMS www.BetterFarming.com Learn more about Dr. Lee-Anne Huber's research at the University of Guelph in this issue on Page 12. Here, Huber (right) stands with her student researchers: Cierra Kozole, Nicole Gregory, Faith Kurtz, and Vanessa Kloostra. Cover: Lee-Anne Huber photo, Jodie Aldred photo We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. LETTER FROM THE EDITOR NEW BARN COSTS; PROP 12 TAKES EFFECT Sask Pork in a recent newsletter referenced new reports from DGH Engineering, which looked at updated costs of building a new barn. The Manitoba engineering firm has five new documents showing pricing based on 2,000/4,000-head hog finishing facilities, 1,600/3,200-head hog farrow wean facilities and 5,400head hog nursery barns. Find details at SaskPork.com. Which is where you can also find an informative article asking “Should You Build a New Barn, or Retrofit?” from a 2018 edition of this magazine. The article, written by Treena Hein, urges producers to consider all factors when determining what’s the best decision for your operation. The costs of some renovations can be very high if they require lots of labour. As the article suggests, the removal of a lot of debris, for example, can result in high labour costs. Another labour-intensive task is the pouring of a new pit floor inside an existing structure. In general, a renovation will be 50 to 70 of the cost of a new facility. Sticking with 2018, that was when voters in California passed Proposition 12, called the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative, and we’ve been covering the story ever since. (The animal welfare law finally took effect on Jan. 1 of this year.) Pam Lewison, a director at the Washington Policy Center Initiative on Agriculture, wrote in a November policy brief that “the cost of compliance will likely shrink the national hog herd and cause additional consolidation of pork producing farms.” The penning rules under Prop 12 require 24 square feet of space to be available for each sow on a hog farm. On an average farm, the estimated investment to retrofit pens is thought to be approximately $3.5 million. Our Canadian pork industry continues to monitor the situation, as we export millions of live hogs, including weanlings, to the U.S. annually. Paul Nolan
4 The Business of Canadian Hog Farming Better Pork | February 2024 national pork HEADLINES SASK PORK BOARD WELCOMES TWO NEW MEMBERS Sask Pork recently announced its board of directors for the 2023 to 2025 term, including two new members. At the association’s annual general meeting in November, it was stated that the board has been acclaimed in October. The board consists of John Beckton from Brock Stock Farm, Jason Hofer from Spring Lake Farming, Dickson Gould from The Progressive Group of Companies, Daryl Possberg from Polar Pork Farms, Toby Tschetter from Star City Farming, and Darrin Duell from Olymel. Casey Smit and Jay McGrath left their positions on the board for the 2023 to 2025 term, making room for new members Duell and Possberg to join. From the board, Tschetter was elected to remain chair, Possberg was elected as the new vice-chair, and Beckton was re-elected as audit chair. “I’m looking forward to working alongside these members to build on what we’ve already accomplished and push forward on new and exciting ventures that will have positive impacts on the pork industry,” said Sask Pork general manager Mark Ferguson in a recent release. “We’d also like to extend our gratitude to Casey Smit and Jay McGrath for their hard work and contribution to the industry as Sask Pork board members.” The annual general meeting was held immediately after the Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium, which ran from Nov. 7 to 8. The event showcased research from the pork industry, and had speakers on topics including market updates, labour retention, cybersecurity, energy efficiency in barns, and sharing farm stories with consumers. The 47th annual Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium will be held on Nov. 4 and 5, 2024. BP Recent research from the University of Copenhagen has developed a “methane cleaner” that could be used in hog barns. Methane (CH4) production from livestock rearing systems has been a growing concern for the environment. Manure storage on pig farms is one source of methane that greenhouse gas reduction efforts can target. The research team from the University of Copenhagen, led by atmospheric chemistry professor Dr. Matthew Stanley Johnson, has created a reaction chamber using light and chlorine to manage methane in the air at low concentrations. “A large part of our methane emissions comes from millions of low-concentration point sources like cattle and pig barns. In practice, methane from these sources has been impossible to concentrate into higher levels or remove. “But our new result proves that it is possible using the reaction chamber that we have built,” said Johnson in recent a statement from the university’s Faculty of Science. Previous methane removal strategies have been able to burn off the gas at concentrations exceeding four per cent. However, this is significantly higher than methane concentrations found in livestock barns, which are often less than 0.1 per cent. The reaction chamber utilizes a chain reaction to break down methane and remove it from the air. The results demonstrate that chlorine is a key part of this reaction. The chlorine and the energy from the UV light increases the efficiency of gas removal. The university plans to use a 40foot shipping container to build a prototype for a farm-scale reaction chamber that could be connected to a barn ventilation system. “Today’s livestock farms are high-tech facilities where ammonia is already removed from air. As such, removing methane through existing air purification systems is an obvious solution,” said Johnson. The research has just been published in the journal Environmental Research Letters. BP NEW TECH TO REMOVE CH4 IN BARNS Jodie Aldred photo
CIRCUMVENT® C-M-L A Revolutionary 3-in-1 Vaccine CIRCUMVENT® is a registered trademark of Intervet International B.V. Used under license. MERCK® is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC. Used under license. © 2023 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved. CA-CRV-230500003 + FEWER INJECTIONS + FEWER BOTTLES TO MANAGE + MORE COMFORT + MORE CONVENIENCE For a singularly easier experience for your staff and your animals, SWITCH TO CIRCUMVENT® C-M-L. Help protect your herd from porcine circovirus type 2, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Lawsonia intracellularis with CIRCUMVENT® C-M-L – the first and only vaccine that covers these three diseases with just one injection. Need more information? Producers: Talk to your veterinarian to determine whether Circumvent® C-M-L is suitable for your herd Veterinarians: Please contact your Merck Animal Health representative, call 1-866-683-7838, or go to www.merck-animal-health.ca
Avoiding scams Zoran Zeremski - stock.adobe.com EDUCATION IS THE BEST WAY TO KEEP YOUR FARM BUSINESS SAFE. AVOIDING SCAMMERS By EMILY CROFT
7 Story Idea? Contact Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Pork | February 2024 Grand Champion Showmanship Jessalyn Hendriks Reserve Champion Showmanship Brooklyn Hendriks Grand Champion Market Hog Benno Mueller Reserve Champion Market Hog Charlotte Ball Top Auction Hog Benno Mueller Bid by South West Vets Ray Howling & Family Congratulations on a great 2023 show! Conestoga Meat Packers Grand Valley Fortifiers Shur-Gain Trouw Nutrition South West Vets Nieuwland Feed Sharpe Farm Supply Hypor Genetics J. Murray Trucking Ontario Pork Ron Gunson Zantingh Direct Auction Buyers Thank you to participants, sponsors & auction buyers for their support! Sponsors Farms, like every other business, are at risk of being targeted by scammers. It can feel challenging to determine what is safe, as more business transactions move to a remote platform – over the phone or the internet. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) stated that losses from reported frauds increased from $165 million in 2020 to $379 million in 2021. These numbers don’t include losses from the many instances of fraud which weren’t reported. “Fraud is across the board, generally unreported. It’s estimated that only five to 10 per cent of cases are reported,” explains Jeff Horncastle, Client and Communications outreach officer at CAFC. “It’s a huge problem that is likely into billions of dollars lost.” As the cost of equipment and commodities increase, and more money changes hands, there may even be scammers who specifically focus on the agriculture industry. How can farmers protect themselves and their businesses from fraudsters? What’s out there? Over the past few years, the farm community has seen common reports of scams involving equipment, hay, grants, and more. In Ontario, the OPP has reported an increase in merchandise frauds involving farm equipment. John Armit, acting detective sergeant with the Anti-Rackets Branch of the OPP, says that this uptick in reports was seen before harvest in the summer of 2023. “What happens is the fraudster grabs an image from an auction or trading website in the U.S. and will copy the information and put it on a Canadian website,” explains Armit, who suggests a careful, cautious approach for Canadian farmers looking at equipment in the U.S. “That same image and info is now on Canadian platforms, and Canadian farmers who are looking to purchase will see it and contact them. They are now in direct communication with the fraudster. “We’ve seen money wired to the United States, and once the money is sent, the communication is ceased or there is suddenly some excuse for why the equipment can’t come to Canada.” Armit says that equipment listed below market value should be a major red flag when shopping. He also recommends that, if possible, farmers make an effort to see equipment in person before making purchases. Horncastle notes that fraud is a risk to all farmers. “With these challenging times in the economy, I would say most farmers are at risk because everyone is trying to save a bit of money. Anyone could be targeted,” says Horncastle. Armit says that another common scam being reported in Canada is spear phishing, or business email AVOIDING SCAMS
8 The Trusted Source for Canada’s Pork Producers Better Pork | February 2024 GOLDEN LAMPSHADE 110V OR 220V INJECT HDN D3 IDEAL DETECTABLE NEEDLESS CIMA SCALE FOR PIG IN MOUVEMENT MAXX TRACTOR FOR DEAD ANIMAL AND MORE 110V or 220V NEW!! NEW!! NEW!! KONK 550ML BEST ONE compromise. In this scam, fraudsters will collect information about their victim in advance. They may use malware to create a rule to forward emails to their own account, and they may infiltrate or mimic the victim’s own email. The goal is to send more convincing communications. “The fraudsters might send an email to that person asking for a change in banking info,” explains Armit, describing how business email compromise occurs. “What happens is that someone clicks on malware, which directs copies of emails to a different address. Scammers can monitor emails and then can send an invoice with banking info and the victim would send payment to the new account.” Joel Bouvier, director of Cyber Security at Farm Credit Canada, says that there are a wide variety of scams that can affect farmers. “It could be anything. We’ve seen fraudulent equipment and supplies sales, some invoice scams, online bidding and auction scams suggesting you might receive a discount if you pay direct, grant scams, or government rebate scams,” says Bouvier. Farms that use a lot of technology, such as hog and dairy farms, may also be at high risk. Sometimes the hightech systems can be taken over, disrupting operations. “It’s becoming more pervasive. It used to be targeted at larger organizations, but now we see it happening to small farming operations too,” explains Bouvier. “There are hackers out there that specifically target agriculture. They are just putting stuff out there and hoping someone will take the bait.” As these attempts become more common, what warning signs should farmers watch for while conducting their business? Keeping your farm safe All members of the farm must be trained in what to look for when avoiding scams. “There are a few common things people can look for,” explains Bouvier. “Ask yourself if this is too good to be true. Is it too good of a deal? One of the common footprints of fraud is that they are playing on emotions and trying to get a knee-jerk reaction or playing on self-interest. That’s the deal portion.” It’s also important to verify sources to avoid scams. As an example, producers can research the seller and location of equipment, or investigate email senders. “I always tell people to be their own detective – look online and do your research. The big red flag for farmers would be any unsolicited emails, phone calls, or texts. When the info does come to you, slow down and conduct your own research,” says Armit. Horncastle agrees. “You can look up AVOIDING SCAMS Farknot Architect - stock.adobe.com Keep devices updated: Out-of-date software can be exploited by scammers.
9 The Trusted Source for Canada’s Pork Producers Better Pork | February 2024 Specialty pellets designed with your sows and bottom line in mind! Great for Electronic Sow Feeders • Pellets that Flow Excellent • Don’t Break up Easily • Stay Similar Load after Load Quality • Very Few Fines • Sows Love Them! Price • Very Competitive Sow Pellets CONTACT KENPAL TODAY! Kenpal Farm Products Inc., 69819 London Rd, RR #1 Centralia, ON, N0M 1K0 Tel: 519-228-6444 • Toll Free: 1-800-265-2904 • Fax: 519-228-6560 kpalen@kenpal.on.ca • www.kenpal.on.ca Lactation Gestation the URL or domain that fraudsters are using for links or emails. There are also ways to verify when a website was created. “If you’re getting emails asking you to download attachments or click on links, take time to look at where it’s coming from.” Bouvier asks, “if an email appears to be coming from a known person, does it follow typical interactions with that company? Independently verify with that person if they are asking you to phone somewhere or send money. Don’t just trust it.” Training is another important aspect of keeping farms safe from fraud. There are a few tips for avoiding scammers and increasing the security of farm businesses. “The first step is just training themselves and their employees to be able to recognize the warning signs of phishing,” says Bouvier. “Never give out personal info, and if it’s a known person contacting you, make sure you verify.” Keeping technology protected and clean will also reduce the risk of being a scam victim. “Password hygiene on your accounts is important. Use complex passwords and multifactor authentication in case someone has your password,” says Bouvier. “Don’t reuse passwords on your accounts. Anti-virus and anti-malware software can also help protect your devices, and if it finds something malicious, it can actually help block them.” Bouvier recommends keeping devices updated, noting that out-ofdate software can be exploited by scammers. There are also a few programs that are designed to reduce the risk of fraud. Get Cyber Safe is a national program which increases awareness of cyber safety. It features information about securing accounts, devices, and connections. The Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) is also a nationally administered program offering grants for improving technology. Businesses can apply for the Boost Your Business Technology grant for up to $15,000 in funding. One eligible application for this funding is boosting business cyber security. What if you’ve been scammed? You don’t need to be the victim of a scam to report something suspicious. “If something is suspicious, it’s important to report it,” says Horncastle. “You don’t have to be a victim to report it. Flag it to the platform it’s on and report it to the Canadian AntiFraud Centre with the contact info and payment info they are requesting. Never send money or personal info if you believe something is suspicious.” If you do find yourself the victim of a scam, don’t be embarrassed. AVOIDING SCAMS
10 The Business of Canadian Hog Farming Better Pork | February 2024 “A lot of the time people are embarrassed, so they don’t react right away. Don’t be embarrassed – it hap- pens,” says Bouvier. Armit shared a publication by the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre detailing six steps to take if you find yourself a victim of a fraud or scam. Step 1: Gather the information relevant to the fraud, including documents, receipts, and communications. Step 2: Report the scam to local law enforcement and keep a log of communications and your file number. Step 3: Report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by phone or on their website. Step 4: Report the incident to the fi- nancial institution to where the money was sent and to the payment service provider. Step 5: If fraud took place online, flag it on the respective platform as “Report Abuse” or “Report an Ad” on the fraudulent advertisement or listing. Step 6: Place a flag on your bank accounts, and report the fraud to the credit bureaus, Equifax and Trans- Union, to avoid any more money being stolen or lines of credit being opened in your name. Bouvier suggests having these steps listed as part of a farm protocol before a scam occurs. “Make a plan for what happens when the worst occurs. This ensures that critical response decisions are not driven by emotions during high-pressure moments.” Is it possible for producers to get their money back after being scammed? Horncastle says it’s unlikely, but it depends on a few factors. “The chances are slim, but it does depend on how the money was sent. If you used a financial institution or wire transfer, reach out to the bank about getting the money back, if possible,” explains Horncastle. Bouvier says it can also depend on where the scammer is based, as many are located outside of Canada. Armit explains, “The big challenge is the globalization of these frauds, which makes it challenging jurisdictionally for Canadian authorities to arrest overseas. The fraudsters have gotten proficient at using money mules and professional launderers.” With these challenges, education and prevention are the best tools to avoid fraud. As scammers become more creative and the risks of fraud increase, pre- vention is becoming critical for the safety of farm businesses. Taking the time to become educated in cyber security and fraud prevention and taking extra precautions when making purchases or exchanging information or money can help reduce your risk. BP LEAN EFFICIENT PROVEN Professional Nutrition & Management Services Animal Nutrition Inc. BSC Want to reduce antibiotics and maintain gain? 1-800-268-7769 Feed BSC Starter A premix EMILY CROFT Emily lives on a beef farm, raising Red Angus and Simmental cattle. She holds a Master of Science in Animal Biosciences from University of Guelph, with a focus on ruminant nutrition. AVOIDING SCAMS
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12 Story Idea? Contact Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Pork | February 2024 Dr. Huber’s Research Dr. Lee-Anne Huber’s goal for her swine research program at the University of Guelph is simple: To answer nutritionrelated questions and solve real-world challenges producers face. As an associate professor in swine nutrition, Huber sees her position as a service role to the pork industry – and her research focus has evolved to concentrate on sow nutrition. “In the broadest sense, I help producers maximize efficiency and improve margin over feed cost. Sow nutrition is an area where research is vastly outdated, especially considering the genetic progress of the last 20 years, so we can have a large positive impact,” she explains. As someone who was raised on a mixed beef and pig farm, Huber understands the value of working closely with the industry. Many of her research ideas come directly from producers and nutritionists, with whom she meets regularly – often very informally over a coffee – to talk about challenges in the barn and how her research can help. At the same time, when she has ideas of her own, she floats them past her industry contacts to gauge relevance. Huber currently has four active research streams, all with projects underway at the new Ontario Swine Research Centre in Elora, Ont. Lactating sows It was a conversation with an industry nutritionist that was the catalyst for Huber’s research into developing nutrition recommendations for lactating sows. Entering the last year of the four-year project, the team is applying precision feeding technology and exploring feed blending to precisely meet sow nutrition requirements during the transition period as well as each day of lactation. “Recommendations for lactating sows have been mostly anecdotal with no research to put some data behind those ideas,” she says. “We’re seeing some really interesting results, and we are now applying those results to see if the feeding strategy has a positive effect on sows.” Amino acids Since starting her position at Guelph, Huber has also been working on updating feeding recommendations for reproductive sows with a focus on amino acids. The last studies on the subject were done in the 1960s, she notes, and with so much genetic improvement since then, the information is no longer relevant. “We’ve done some mathematical equations to scale up requirements from the 1960s to today, but we aren’t sure if Lee-Anne Huber photo SOW NUTRITION CENTRAL TO LEE-ANNE HUBER’S WORK AT GUELPH RESEARCH SOLVES PRACTICAL SWINE INDUSTRY PROBLEMS By LILIAN SCHAER, FOR LIVESTOCK RESEARCH INNOVATION CORPORATION
13 Story Idea? Contact Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Pork | February 2024 the metabolism or physiology of the sow is still the same, so I’ve been working on that for quite a while,” she says. Maximizing mammary development using nutrition Huber is also building on research by Agriculture and AgriFood Canada research scientist Dr. Chantal Farmer, which found that increasing lysine in late gestation by 40 per cent increased mammary development in sows by a corresponding 40 per cent. Her follow-up work is looking at whether increasing lysine at lower levels – 20 per cent or 30 per cent, for example – would result in similar improvements. “We need to give nutritionists solid recommendations they can use on the farm, so I’m following up to see if we can refine the recommendation,” Huber explains. “Also, in the previous study, we didn’t follow the gilts into lactation, so we are following up now to see if they actually produce more milk as well.” Farmer’s original research used soybean meal as a lysine source, so Huber has added a side project to investigate whether it is the lysine itself or something about the soybean meal that caused the improvement in mammary development. Novel ingredients The fourth pillar of Huber’s research is a more general evaluation of novel feed ingredients and their suitability for use in swine diets. As new ingredients become available, research is needed to gauge whether pigs can use them efficiently for growth, or whether there might be effects on health or reproduction. A large project currently underway is looking at whether including small amounts of yeast products in sow diets can increase passive immunity transfer to piglets through colostrum. The team began feeding sows in late gestation through to lactation and then followed their offspring from birth right through to market weight. Lab work and data analysis are now underway. “The idea is to see if we can wake up the sow’s immune system and transfer that to the piglets, and if piglets have better immunity from their mothers, the theory is they should have better lifetime performance, particularly in stressful times like weaning,” she says. New swine research facilities The new swine facilities in Elora – owned by the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario – are dramatically increasing the scope of research Huber can undertake. The advanced feeding system precisely controls and automates the amount and composition of the diet that the animals receive each day of a study, a task previously done by grad Dr. Huber’s Research Dr. Emily Miller (previous grad student), Doug Wey (animal technician), Huber, and Victoria Stewart (previous MSc student). Lee-Anne Huber photo
14 The Trusted Source for Canada’s Pork Producers Better Pork | February 2024 students. As well, the new herd is open, meaning for future research, different genetics can be brought in through acclimatization, opening up new realms of genetics and nutrition interaction research. “We know different genetic lines have different nutritional requirements, so we should have a good cross-section of genetics in the barn to make good recommendations and be relevant to industry,” she says. Much of her research is funded by Ontario Pork, in large part because of that practical, industry-focused approach, she adds. Huber then works to match that funding from federal, provincial and even private industry partners to maximize the reach of each project. She also uses a multi-pronged approach to getting research into practice (GRIP), presenting results at events and conferences attended by producers and industry and encouraging her graduate students to develop information for presentation to different audiences. She also participates in podcasts, which are increasingly becoming a popular information source. Carbon and sustainability An area she hopes to begin exploring is assessing the environmental footprint of pork production from birth to farm gate in order to get some true data that reflects current industry realities. “A lot of calculations for carbon emissions right now are napkin math. You can estimate relative differences, but if you start to put dollars and cents in a cap-and-trade system, you need to know for sure that your absolute values are correct, so we are hoping to try to generate some data to put real value on those,” she says. She’s also looking at a project bringing together many swine researchers across Canada that will identify ways to upcycle food waste and food loss back into the pork production cycle. The goal is to recapture those nutrients instead of letting them go to landfill or into biodigesters. “We also need to involve food science and soil science to deal with all aspects of recovering food waste, from logistics to how we use the product, how valuable pigs find it, and what the fertilization values of the resulting manure are,” she adds. “We want to look at it from a whole life cycle perspective.” BP This article is provided by Livestock Research Innovation Corporation as part of LRIC’s ongoing efforts to report on research, innovation, and issues affecting the Canadian livestock industry. LRIC is funded in part by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The Ontario Swine Research Centre is owned by the Government of Ontario through its agency, the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario, and managed by the University of Guelph through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, a collaboration between the Government of Ontario and U of G. Dr. Huber’s Research LILIAN SCHAER Lilian Schaer is an agricultural journalist with over two decades of experience in the Canadian agri-food industry. The new Elora facility increases the scope of research Huber can undertake. Glenn Ruegg photo
Reliable Inputs, Sustainable Outlook Contact your Trouw Nutrition representative to learn how Watson can help you make sustainable management decisions on your farm www.trouwnutrition.ca FOR SALE 600 sow Farrow to Finish hog farm with feed mill near Eatonia, Saskatchewan. Price $2,750,000 plus stock. For viewing contact: David Resch 306-967-2308 or email chesterfield@sasktel.net WEEKLY ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER Farms.com/newsletters SwineNL@Farms.com 888-248-4893 x281 www.Farms.com @FarmsSwine SUBSCRIBE ONLINE: SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL:
16 The Business of Canadian Hog Farming Better Pork | February 2024 SLOW THIS FARMER DOWN? GOOD LUCK! When the tough get going, they still can’t keep up. By Geoff Geddes If Marg Rempel comes back as an animal one day, it will surely be the “Energizer Bunny.” How else do you describe a 70-year-old working six 12-hour-days a week? “When someone asked me what retirement would look like, my answer was simple: A 40-hour week,” says Marg. The setting for her labour of love is Rempelco Acres, a 450-sow, farrow-to-finish operation near Steinbach, Man. Alongside her son Jason Rempel, she raises Berkshire crosses on contract to help fill a niche market. And in her “spare time,” she helps crop 2,200 acres as well. Jason and his wife have three young children who caught the farming bug early on. They run a pick-your-own (“u-pick”) sweet corn operation where the children get first-hand experience with managing a family business. What is your role on the farm? I do a little bit of everything around here, including record-keeping for both the hog and crop operations, payroll, insurance and managing our farm manure plan. I also organize all the information for the Canadian Pork Excellence (CPE) program, prepare the rations for the sows and perform yard maintenance. How many people do you employ? We have four full-time employees, with three working in the hog barn and one responsible for equipment maintenance and helping with field work. Describe your office or workshop. There are two offices. One is attached to the farm mill and houses two computers; one for our feeding system and another for hog record-keeping, etc. The main farm office has two computer work stations, lots of file and shelf space, a kitchenette and a meeting area with a table. It also contains a whiteboard where we record all cropping activities and dates. Even with the digital age in full swing, we like that old-school approach where we can see everything at a glance. What items are always on your desk? A big travel mug of green tea and a notepad. I use the latter to scribble to-do lists for myself so I can track what I accomplished that day and what can be put off to tomorrow. Is your office messy or neat? I prefer neat, but sometimes it looks a bit messy if I’m in the middle of a big project. UP CLOSE Rempel Family photo Rempelco Acres is run by Marg Rempel and her son Jason.
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18 Story Idea? Contact Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Pork | February 2024 UP CLOSE What’s your favourite thing about working with pigs? After doing it as long as I have, I’ve come to really appreciate the animals. At the end of the day, seeing them well-fed, content, happy and healthy is a really good feeling. They are interesting to care for, because just when you think you’ve learned everything about them, they throw you a curve. Any novel ways you protect your herd’s health? I don’t know if it’s novel, but we place a lot of emphasis on maintaining the highest possible levels of sanitation in our barns. Every part of every barn is as clean as possible at all times, which is a solid foundation for maintaining pig health. We do vaccinate our sows, and vaccinate the weaned piglets with Circumvent CML, but our cleaning regimen means we don’t have to give shots for scours and other conditions like that. Our main health challenge is Streptococcus suis in nursery pigs during spring and fall when the temperature variations can be dramatic. How do you keep your records? We use PigCHAMP for our production records. All washing and disinfecting of emptied rooms, placement of mouse bait, vaccinations and treatments are recorded and signed off on, as well as all other activity required by CPE. There are also some spreadsheets we’ve developed over the years to organize additional information the way we want it. The best thing about farming? As a family farm, we appreciate and enjoy each other’s company. I like the autonomy to arrange workloads in a way that reflects each person’s strengths, weaknesses and interests. It is also nice to have a good mix of working alone and with other people. Perhaps most importantly, we get to grow healthy food for tables around the globe. In a country where only two per cent of people are farmers, I am humbled by that responsibility and passionate about my role. What do you like least? I sometimes feel stressed because of our vulnerability to the weather on the crop side, and to pork’s global market swings that we sometimes can’t anticipate. What’s your current farm machinery lineup? Given the size of our operation, it doesn’t make sense to buy new, so we operate with used equipment and do a lot of maintenance ourselves. Our machinery includes a John Deere 16-row planter, an air drill, five tractors, an Apache self-propelled sprayer, and a New Holland CR9080 combine, to mention a few. What sort of livestock technology do you use in your barn? We have a computerized liquid-feeding system, an alarm system connected to our phones, temperature and ventilation controls and cameras in a number of locations. There is also a remote control boar cart that moves the boar through the breeding barn for heat detection among the sows. Most important lesson you’ve learned? It’s necessary to be patient, or, at least, as patient as possible. We always stress safety first on our farm, even if it takes longer that way. Another learning for me is that just because you work hard and expect a reward appropriate to your effort, the payoff doesn’t always come right away. There are ups and downs in this business and things you can’t control, so it’s best to take a long view. When we first started in farming and met with an accountant, he said he would only take us on as clients if we prepared five-year and 10-year budgets in addition to the annual one. At the time, we thought that was extreme, but we soon realized that it helped keep us on track and deal with the unexpected. It’s a good tool for organizing priorities. Guiding management principle? I try to be flexible on the management side. If someone prefers doing a specific task, it’s usually best to accommodate them. Being open and honest with our employees is critical. What are the biggest farming challenges you face? In this business, input costs can spiral out of control in a hurry if you’re not careful. We must always pay close The Rempel Family: Kristy, Jason, Marg, Avery, Kian, and Evan. Rempel Family photo
19 Story Idea? Contact Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Pork | February 2024 UP CLOSE attention to finances and not allow the business to get overextended. Part of this approach is recognizing that wants are not the same as needs. Sometimes the needs are not very exciting, but still important. Everyone would rather buy new furniture for their house than replace the shingles, yet the latter may be the better choice at the time. If we keep a close eye on the money, all the rest of the farming operation is less stressful. What are the most exciting opportunities in the industry? I’m intrigued by the research going on in the industry these days. Over the last couple of decades, the fine-tuning in animal nutrition has enabled us to align our rations with a specific animal’s needs at different ages and stages of development. In the process, pork producers have been able to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and their overall carbon footprint. We can now grow animals 30 kilograms heavier with 30 per cent less feed than we needed 30 years ago. To me, that is quite impressive. How do you define success? To me, it is about enjoying what you’re doing and achieving your goals. To that end, I try and do my best at every task every day. At the same time, you need to extend yourself a bit of grace if you miss the mark, which certainly happens on occasion. If you weren’t a farmer, what do you think you’d do for a living? I might have been a journalist. For almost a decade, I wrote an agricultural policy column for a farm news- paper and really enjoyed it. How do you support your mental health during challenging times? I know that mental health experts say to strive for a balanced life, and I must admit that I am not the best at achieving that. Still, I enjoy things like playing the piano when I can. At the end of a long day where we’ve been seeding for 16 hours, even playing for 15 minutes can put me in another zone. I am also part of a book club that meets monthly, and I enjoy a number of outdoor activities such as camping, canoeing and cycling. Just meeting a friend for ice cream can go a long way to adjusting perspective sometimes, lightening the mood. What was your most memorable crop/production year? The two most notable years stand out for the wrong reasons. In 1988 we dealt with a significant drought, and in 2005 it was excess moisture. On the bright side, we have beautiful displays of the northern lights here, which is good for the soul and makes every year memorable that way. What’s your top goal personally and professionally? I guess I’m a bit of a Type A personality, as I enjoy working. Whether it’s business or pleasure, I think you can always do a bit better every time, and I find that very motivating. If you could send a message to non-farmers, what would it be? We care deeply about our animals, the soil, and the environment, and we are working our butts off every day to make the world a better place. BP GEOFF GEDDES Geoff is a freelance writer and editor specializing in agriculture. He is based in Edmonton and has written for farm magazines, blogs, websites and social media. The Rempels raise Berkshire crosses to fill a niche market. Rempel Family photo
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22 The Business of Canadian Hog Farming Better Pork | February 2024 In the last issue of Better Pork, we discussed how some Mycoplasma bacteria can cause lameness. Today, we are exploring a different species, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae or M. hyo for short, that causes respiratory disease. As a review, Mycoplasma is a group of bacteria that are very small and lack the cell wall that is present in most types of bacteria. As the name might suggest, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. Hyo) causes pneumonia, often termed “enzootic pneumonia”. This term comes from the fact that M. hyo typically moves slowly throughout a herd and is difficult to get rid of once it is established in a barn. Pigs may continue to carry the bacteria and cause occasional “flare ups” in affected farms. In other words, it becomes “enzootic”, which is the animal equivalent of the human term “endemic”. Uncomplicated infection On its own, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae typically causes a mild dry, non-productive cough, “thumping”, difficulty breathing and/or a rapid respiratory rate. It can also cause reduced feed efficiency, slower growth and poor uniformity in a pig herd. Mortality rates are usually low in uncomplicated infections. Disease associated with M. hyo is most common in grower or finisher pigs over about three months of age due to its long incubation period. It usually takes about two to three weeks for exposed pigs to begin to show clinical signs. M. hyo typically spreads slowly from pig to pig through direct contact or through the air. Complicated infection While infection by itself is often mild, M. hyopneumoniae predisposes pigs to secondary infections with other pathogens (viruses and bacteria). It infects and damages cells in the airways that are normally responsible for shunting debris and pathogens out of the lungs. This makes the pig much less able to fight off other bacteria and viruses. Therefore, “co-infections” of M. hyo with other respiratory pathogens are very common. Cases of M. hyo that are complicated by other bacteria or viruses may come with additional symptoms such as a productive (“wet”) cough, fever, depression and increased mortality. Many external factors can also increase the severity of Mycoplasma pneumonia. These include poor air quality, overcrowding, cleanliness of the barn and whether the barn is all-in-all-out or continuous flow. Some strains of M. hyo also cause more severe disease than others. Diagnosis If Mycoplasma is suspected, your veterinarian may want to perform a necropsy/post-mortem examination on a few affected pigs to see if there are signs of pneumonia in the lungs. Some abnormalities associated with M. hyo are collapsed areas of purple or red lung tissue and enlarged lymph nodes in the chest. Regular bacterial culture may not show Mycoplasma as a culprit in a case of pneumonia because it takes a very long time to grow. Therefore, PCR testing is another option that your veterinarian may use to more quickly identify whether Mycoplasma is present in affected pigs. Some samples that can be used to test for M. hyo are lung and airway tissue and respiratory secretions in the trachea or nose. Serology, or the measurement of antibodies against Mycoplasma in the pigs’ blood, may also be helpful. These tests can have a high rate of false negative results but a low rate of false positives. This means that they are most MYCOPLASMAL PNEUMONIA Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae has a big impact on the swine industry. By Hayley Bowling HERD HEALTH Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae causes pneumonia or inflammation in the lungs. Note the affected areas of dark purple lung surrounded by more normal areas of light pink lung. Dr. Jessica Law photo
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24 Story Idea? Contact Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Pork | February 2024 HERD HEALTH useful for routine surveillance or monitoring of a group of pigs presumed to be negative for M. hyo. Serology is not useful in vaccinated herds because it cannot differentiate between animals that have been vaccinated and animals that have been infected. Treatment Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is among the more difficult bacteria to treat with antimicrobial drugs. Antibiotics can help to reduce the amount of Mycoplasma bacteria in the pigs, but antibiotic treatment alone will not eliminate infection completely. Antibiotics can also be used to treat secondary bacterial infections, which will help to reduce the severity of pneumonia. It is extremely important to work with your veterinarian to develop a treatment protocol for Mycoplasma infections because not all antibiotics will work against it. Control Vaccination is one option to help control Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae on an affected farm. Vaccines do not prevent the pigs from becoming infected but they can help reduce the severity of disease. Several different vaccines are available. Please consult a veterinarian if you are interested in vaccination to help determine which product to use and to develop a protocol for frequency and timing of administration based on the health challenges present on your individual farm. Reducing the effects of complicating factors can help reduce the severity of disease as well. Improving ventilation can reduce irritating dust and gases in the air that damage pigs’ airways. Reducing stocking density can help to reduce stress in the pigs as well and lower the amount of bacteria circulating in a given airspace. One of the most effective methods of control is avoiding mixing pigs of different age groups by implementing all-in-all-out production with thorough cleaning and disinfection between batches. It is important to control other bacteria and viruses; for example, Streptococcus suis, Pasteurella multocida, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus, porcine circovirus (PCV) 2 and 3, and swine influenza virus. Prevention The key to preventing the introduction of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae into a herd is biosecurity. One of the most important routes of infection is pig-to-pig contact. Pigs can be carriers of Mycoplasma without showing any symptoms so it is important to quarantine and test any new additions to a herd under the direction of a veterinarian. Always try to obtain breeding stock from a source that is confirmed to be negative and minimize the number of sources supplying your farm. Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae does not survive for long in the environment and is susceptible to most disinfectants, so showering in and out and disinfecting any incoming equipment should control the risk of the bacteria entering the farm through fomites. Being located in an area with many other pig farms close by may put a swine operation at a greater risk of being exposed to M. hyo. The bacteria can reportedly spread through the air (via aerosol) for up to three kilometres. Elimination It is sometimes possible to eradicate M. hyo from a pig herd, but it is not an easy feat. Methods of eliminating M. hyo will vary depending on the farm. Typically, the affected herd needs to be closed, meaning no entry of new pigs, for six Secondary bacterial infections are common with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Dr. Egan Brockhoff photo Doing something interesting on your farm? We want to know! Paul.Nolan@Farms.com TELL US WHAT YOU’RE UP TO
25 Story Idea? Contact Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Pork | February 2024 months or longer. Intensive strategic implementation of vaccination and/or antibiotic treatment can be performed under the guidance and supervision of a veterinarian. Full depopulation and repopulation has also been used to eradicate M. hyo from a site. These methods are not always successful, and they represent significant costs in terms of labour, medication and lost production. There is also the ever-present risk of re-infection after even the most thorough eradication program. I recommend consulting with your veterinarian to determine the best course of action for managing the risk and impact of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae on your farm. BP HERD HEALTH INSIDE THE HELIX A Podcast from DNA Genetics. When economic times are tough, you need a sow that consistently outperforms expectations. The DNA Line 241 will save you money with industry-leading feed conversion. Whether through feed intake or feed conversion in gestation, our maternal line is the solution you’re looking for. Especially during times where every dollar matters. Visit with an account representative to learn how you can achieve the biggest bang for your buck. FEED CONVERSION MATTERS. WHEN TIMES ARE TIGHT, dnaswinegenetics.com HAYLEY BOWLING Dr. Hayley Bowling is a veterinarian with Prairie Livestock Veterinarians in Red Deer, Alta. The severity of Mycoplasma pneumonia can be worsened by poor air quality, crowded pens and mixing of different age groups of pigs. Jodie Aldred photo
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