News - Agriculture

Manitobans who typically wouldn’t have the opportunity to see agriculture first hand are being invited to take in the special events planned as part of Open Farm Day this Sunday.

To help improve biosecurity Manitoba Pork has posted on its website an On-Farm Disease Prevention document to assist pork producers in turning their yards into controlled access zones.

The Director of Risk Management with h@ms Marketing Services says most Canadian pork producers have taken steps to protect themselves from the rising value of the Canadian dollar and the anticipated softening of live hog prices resulting from anticipated record hog supplies over the next three to six months.

Manitoba Agriculture reports that the later season crops in much of the province are still in need of rain.

The Director of International Trade, Government and Media Relations with Canadian Meat Council says beef and pork producers and processors will be looking for a revised NAFTA that maintains the benefits it has created for North American Agriculture and results in greater coordination of food safety programs.

H@ms Marketing Services suggests, two hog processing plants expected to come on line next month will be key to easing the pressure of increasing hog supplies.

All motorists and farm families are encouraged to be especially cautious and aware on provincial roadways during Manitoba’s busy harvest season.

A research Scientist Ethology with the Prairie Swine Centre says the more access producers have to information on the various options for group sow housing the better equipped they’ll be in deciding how to transition from stalls.

Manitoba Agriculture reports crop yields this year are generally above average with good quality.

A Farm Building Consultant with FGC Construction says cost is one of the biggest factors influencing the decisions of pork producers considering the move to group sow housing.