Canada Boosts Global Pork Sector with $11.6M Investment

Feb 23, 2024

In a move to secure Canada's standing as a leader in the global pork market, the government has announced a substantial investment aimed at advancing the pork industry into the future.

This strategic infusion of funds, totalling up to $10.6 million, is earmarked for Swine Innovation Porc (SIP) under the AgriScience Program’s Clusters Component of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, representing the government, highlighted the initiative's focus on research that will bolster the sector's sustainability, resilience, and growth.

The funding will support a range of critical areas, including environmental performance, greenhouse gas reduction, productivity enhancements, disease management, and the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

This initiative not only aims to improve the pork sector's environmental footprint but also to enhance product quality and animal welfare standards.

Past Swine Clusters have significantly improved feeding strategies, reduced antibiotic usage, and enhanced pork quality, demonstrating the program's potential to foster innovation and maintain Canada's high-quality pork product reputation.

Complementing the Swine Cluster's funding, an additional $1 million from the Greening Government Fund (GGF) will be invested in updating the Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre's facilities.

This includes installing high-efficiency heat recovery fans and transitioning the Normandin Research Farm to a more sustainable pellet biomass heating system, further underscoring the commitment to reducing the agricultural sector's carbon footprint.

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, emphasized the importance of this funding, stating, "With this funding, we're making sure our pork producers have the tools they need to continue to be leaders in the agriculture sector. This will create opportunities for innovation so we can meet the growing global demand for our world-renowned Canadian pork."

This investment reflects Canada's proactive approach to meeting the challenges of modern agriculture, ensuring the pork industry remains competitive and sustainable for years to come.

Video: New Solution Powers Efficient Pork Growth

Alltech has introduced Olerix, an innovative phytogenic blend created to promote growth and feed efficiency in pigs. Through a proprietary coating process, the bioactive blend of phytogenic compounds used in Olerix is designed to outlast the manufacturing process, ensuring consistent outcomes from feed to finish. The result is a high-impact efficiency solution that provides consistent support for gut health, feed efficiency, immune function and growth performance. Olerix is backed by validated trials conducted under modern pork production conditions.

“As the industry searches for technology to drive profitability forward in a more sustainable manner, we’re thrilled to join that effort with our Olerix technology,” said Mark Hulsebus, general manager for U.S. pork at Alltech. “Our work in this phytogenic space is yielding very encouraging results, and we’re excited to make this new opportunity available to pork producers focused on optimizing feed efficiency and growth rates.”

“Olerix represents the next generation of phytogenic technology — combining feed efficiency, livability and immune support into a practical commercial solution producers can implement today,” said Andy Rash, U.S. monogastric director at Alltech.