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Better Pork Featured Articles

Better Pork magazine is published bimonthly. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Why do some sows prefer to stay out of their stalls?

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Given a choice, some pregnant sows simply choose to stay in their 26-inch wide gestation stalls, according to research conducted by the Prairie Swine Centre in Saskatchewan, published on the website of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians.

The study found that 95 per cent of the sows left their stalls at some point to be in a group area but, over 24 hours, about 40 per cent spent less than two per cent of their time outside the stalls. Other animals spent 80 to 90 per cent of their time outside the stalls in a common area with other gestating animals.

Animal behaviourist Harold Gonyou observed that the sows that stayed out tended to be older, larger sows and that raised some questions. Are the younger sows avoiding these larger animals and staying in their space for protection against bullying? Or are the 26-inch wide stalls too small for the older animals and so they choose to lie down elsewhere? BP

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Ag implications in first Liberal bill of the fall session

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

The Liberal government’s first bill of the fall session has components affecting the ag sector. Overall, Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, is designed to “bring greater speed, certainty, and predictability to infrastructure project reviews, and support the workers who will build... Read this article online

Local Food and Farming Drive Community Growth

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

The 12th annual Farm and Food Awareness Week has already begun in Manitoba, held from September 20 to 25. The week provides an opportunity for people to learn more about where their food comes from and appreciate the efforts of farmers, producers, and food workers who help bring safe and... Read this article online

Equipment Technician Demand Reaches New Highs

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Canada's agriculture and construction equipment industry is facing a growing shortage of skilled technicians, according to a new report released by industry organizations the Canada Equipment Dealers Association (CEDF)and the Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation (AEDF). The findings... Read this article online

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