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Agriculture Roundup for Monday, November 6, 2023

Canadian authorities have detected the presence of avian flu at two B.C. locations over the weekend.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said the presence of avian flu was detected on Saturday at two commercial poultry locations, one in Langley, the other in Abbotsford.

The development comes after four detections were reported in less than a week last month at commercial poultry operations in the Fraser Valley.

The outbreaks in October were the first since April, when infected wild birds migrating north were blamed for spreading the disease in B.C. and several other Canadian provinces.

An executive with the Manitoba Craft Brewers Association said the the brewing industry is facing significant cost pressures.

Tim Hudek said inflation and the war in Ukraine are driving up costs, and it’s harder for operators to bring their prices down because their products tend to be purer than those sold by national brands, as less adjuncts are used.

Hudek said the industry is witnessing a slowdown, noting that when people are squeezed financially, they might not necessarily be able to afford to go out to eat at their favourite restaurant as much.

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CEOs of the Industry: John McIntire, Partner at Pike Pig Systems

Video: CEOs of the Industry: John McIntire, Partner at Pike Pig Systems

CEOs of the Industry, Jim sits down with John McIntire, Partner at Pike Pig Systems, one of the most quietly impressive 26,000-sow operations in the U.S. John shares how he grew from operator to partner, how Pike built a people-first culture with long-tenured managers, and why they’re committed to weaning bigger, stronger pigs at 25+ days.

John breaks down how Pike stays efficient in a tough economic environment, the power of their shareholder-owned farm model, and how their work with PIC and a 240-head boar facility drives genetics and health outcomes. He also opens up about the innovations Pike adopts — and how they decide what’s truly valuable versus industry hype.

From Prop 12 and labor challenges to trade, consumer expectations, and sustainability, John chooses a hot-button issue and shares how Pike is preparing for the future. The episode closes with a rapid-fire “Fast Five” — mindset, leadership, daily habits, and three words that define Pike Pig Systems in 2025.

If you want a look inside a people-driven, purpose-driven, quietly elite pork system, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.