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Updated Code for Canadian Pig Farmers Released

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

A revised code of practice for hog farming in Canada was made public March 6, 2014.

The Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs took three years to develop, and was led by a 17-person committee, which involved industry stakeholders including - pork producers, scientists, transporters, processors, government and animal welfare representatives.

The committee worked on a consensus basis. “There was a great divergence of opinions,” said committee member Curtiss Littlejohn.

Littlejohn is a retired pig farmer and now works for Canarm – a company that specializes in swine stabling products.

Significant changes to the code include phasing out gestation stalls by 2024, and adding a requirement to provide pain mitigation during castration and tail docking, starting July 2016.

In summer 2013, the code was open for public comment, where more than 4,700 responses were collected, which was then taken into consideration for the final draft. “We had comments from around the world,” explained Littlejohn.

After having undergone a long and vigorous development process, Littlejohn said he is content with the end result. “I believe that the updated code is a significant move forward for the Canadian swine industry,” he said.

But Littlejohn cautions while the work of revising the code has ended, implementing some of the changes may pose as a challenge.  “It doesn’t mean that change won’t come without some further controversy,” he said.

Littlejohn was referring to the changes made about the use of pain control, adding that there are target dates because the industry currently doesn’t have adequate tools on hand to meet demands outlined in the revised code.  

John de Bruyn, Vice Chair of Ontario Pork echoed much of Littlejohn’s thoughts on the new draft, but strayed away from speaking on behalf of producers.

“I think our producers will have to have some time to look at the code to see whether they are pleased with it or not,” he said. “As this code becomes implemented farmers are looking forward to assuring the consumer that we are providing them with a safe and nutritious product.”

The updated code can be viewed by clicking here.
 


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The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.

 

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