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Lots of news from the Ontario Pork Congress

Lots of news from the Ontario Pork Congress
Oct 27, 2025
By Farms.com

Photo: Back row (L-R) Kirk McLean, Drew De Bruyn, Henry Groenestege, Doug Ahrens.
Font Row (L-R) Mandy Ropp, Abel Lopez, Joe Dwyer, Victoria Stewart, Dave Ross, Matt Aarts.

The Ontario Pork Congress (OPC) Annual Meeting took place on October 20, 2020, at the Arden Park Hotel in Stratford, Ontario, with over 50 attendees.

At the event, Arnold Drung, President of Conestoga Meats, was honoured with the Ontario Pork Industry Leadership Award. Drung has been a dedicated supporter of the OPC for over 23 years. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the Ontario pork industry through research, education, extension, or industry service.

The OPC also celebrated the success of the 2025 Ontario Pork Industry Council Hog Jog, held in conjunction with the Ontario Pork Congress. The event raised over $49,000 for the Stratford House of Blessing Food Bank, which supports individuals and families facing food insecurity in Stratford and surrounding areas. More information is available at www.hogjog.ca.

The new OPC Executive Committee for 2026 was announced:

  • President: Victoria Stewart;
  • 1st Vice President: Drew De Bruyn
  • 2nd Vice President: Abel Lopez
  • Secretary: Joe Dwyer; 
  • Treasurer: Matt Aarts;
  • Directors: Henry Groenestege, David Ross, Mandy Ropp, Doug Ahrens.

Past President Kirk McLean announced that the 2026 Ontario Pork Congress will be held on June 17–18, 2026, at the Stratford Rotary Complex in Stratford, Ontario.


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World Pork Expo: Tackling oxidative stress at critical stages in swine production

Video: World Pork Expo: Tackling oxidative stress at critical stages in swine production

Dr. Marlin Hoogland, veterinarian and Director of Innovation and Research at Feedworks, speaks to The Pig Site's Sarah Mikesell just after World Pork Expo about how metabolic imbalance – especially during weaning, late gestation and disease outbreaks – can quietly undermine animal health and farm profitability.

In swine production, oxidative stress may be an invisible challenge, but its effects are far from subtle. From decreased feed efficiency to suppressed growth rates, it quietly chips away at productivity.

Dr. Hoogland says producers and veterinarians alike should be on alert for this metabolic imbalance, especially during the most physiologically demanding times in a pig’s life.