Today, science is tasked with making pork production faster, easier, cheaper and greener – so, no pressure!

Maple Leaf Foods announced in July that it would spin off its pork business into a separate independent company.

There are many big issues facing the livestock industry, from climate change and emerging diseases to changing societal expectations and an evolving regulatory environment.

As the world’s population grows, there is an increasing need to produce more food.

Even for the savvy, well-rounded producer, it can be tough to keep up.

The rule change will come into effect in 2026, but in the meantime, pork producers on both sides of the border have expressed concerns.

Animal breeding literature supports this decision, from historical selection experiments illustrating that increases in total born do not necessarily increase the number weaned.

Protein and fibre are two of the key nutrients that swine nutritionists consider when designing diets.

Since spreading from Europe and Asia to North America, wild pigs have been wreaking havoc across Canada. While the problem is a source of pain for farmers, the nationwide response should be a source of pride.

Over three decades ago, Dr. Anne Deckert first started working at the Ontario Veterinary College as a summer student for Dr. Bob Friendship.

In Canada, the warm summer months increase the ambient temperature inside pig barns. When the ambient temperature within pig barns rises above 25 C, pigs will start to experience heat stress.

It's been more than five years since African Swine Fever (ASF) first broke out in China.

If you thought three letters couldn't do much damage, you've never dealt with the CRA.

Genetic improvement for sow prolificacy has been very successful. Unfortunately, sow survivability has inadvertently been decreasing.

The grow-finishing period in commercial swine production represents the phase of production with the longest time frame.

Education is the best way to keep your farm business safe. Farms, like every other business, are at risk of being targeted by scammers.

Dr. Lee-Anne Huber's goal for her swine research program at the University of Guelph is simple.

The post-weaning period is a critical and often stressful phase in a young pig's life, drawing significant attention to optimizing the gastrointestinal tract.

Pork producers select pigs for slaughter based on the evaluation of live pig conformation and weight, which are labour-intensive and stressful for the pigs.

A Reminder to Review Your Procedures & Keep Your Stock on Track.

Swine producers often require real-world proof to be convinced of the efficacy of new innovations before implementing them on their farms.

The National Research Council [1] recommends 80 to 100 mg/kg of dietary zinc (Zn) and 5 to 6 mg/kg of copper (Cu) for 7 to 25 kg piglets.

The world offers much to marvel at: Childbirth; space travel; a massive group of fungi.

Though hitchhikers with their thumbs out could pose a threat, it's those unseen stowaways that can really be a handful.

Water is often referred to as the forgotten nutrient, yet it plays a vital role in the overall health and performance of pigs.

Infectious Pig Diseases are a Problem for Both Producers & Consumers.

Though the lack of opposable thumbs keeps them from cracking a textbook, pigs are fast learners.

For many of us, the hot days of summer are a welcomed change from our long Canadian winters.

The cost of living has been increasing and many Canadians are concerned about the rising cost of groceries.

Some might wean at an earlier age depending on the number of sows farrowing each week or due to limitation in the farrowing capacity.

As both the hog and commodity markets continue to show great volatility and variability, feed budgeting is extremely important.

As many producers face problematic labour shortages, much emphasis has been placed on working with pigs which require less labour time.

'Improving the thickness of bellies, without compromising lean percentage.'

Everywhere you turn, technology has been changing our world for the better: desktop computers, smartphones, beer hats.

Data can be used to determine where to look for the causes of animal losses.

New terms have entered the lexicon of pork production in the past decade, and the newest and arguably most important one is sustainability.

While the pork sector has clearly had its fill of African swine fever (ASF), the feeling is far from mutual.

Just as a shark must keep moving to survive, the pork sector must evolve to stay afloat.

"Out of sight, out of mind" can be a sound philosophy, until it isn't. Pork producers may do everything else right, but if they're unprepared, it can all go wrong in a heartbeat.

As the world moves away from pharmacological zinc oxide, do we have other options?

In today's fast paced innovative world, sometimes the slower paced ways can be brushed to the side.

Whether you call it moonlighting, a side gig, or bonafide employment, many pork producers are known for more than their farm and take on extra work to pay the bills.

"PRRSV remains one of the most economically significant viruses in North American pig production and global pig production. PRRS is a beast," says Egan Brockhoff.

While aggression is a natural trait in any animal, in swine it can be extremely detrimental, with after-effects like physical damage or changes in an attacked animal's behaviour.

"As a population that's interested in animal health, we've been trying to solve the PRRS for decades," says Zvonimir Poljaks.

Swine disease is like income tax: unpleasant to think about but ignore it at your peril.

Though rarely flying first class, Canadian pigs and pork products travel the globe.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a familiar ailment to pork producers.

Producers can capitalize on renewed interest in eating local products by marketing directly to consumers.

Scientists at secure, high-containment laboratories around the world are continuing to work and share information to develop a vaccine that will protect against the deadly swine virus.