ASF Supports for Pork Producers

Mar 18, 2025

Funding Support for Pork Producers Amid ASF Concerns

The Government of Canada has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the country’s rural communities and pork sector against the potential threats posed by African Swine Fever (ASF). The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced an investment of up to $567.16 million to support hog producers in the event of key export market closures due to an ASF outbreak in Canada or the United States.

Ensuring the Stability of Canada’s Pork Sector

Canada remains free of ASF, but a single confirmed case would trigger immediate international trade restrictions, leading to devastating consequences for the pork industry. With pork and live pig exports forming a critical component of Canada’s agricultural economy, the closure of key export markets would impose severe financial burdens on hog producers, potentially forcing herd depopulations.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will collaborate with provincial and territorial governments to establish cost-sharing agreements, which could expand the funding commitment beyond the initial $567.16 million. These agreements will reflect a 60:40 cost-sharing model, ensuring that affected producers receive necessary financial support.

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Video: WARNING! Rough Start To Breeding Season!!

WARNING! Sheep Breeding Season Begins With A Bang! Breeding season is officially underway at Ewetopia Farms, but it didn’t exactly start the way we planned!

This vlog begins with us sorting through our rams to find the perfect match for a customer’s breeding program. What should have been routine quickly turned dangerous when one of our more nervous rams panicked. In seconds, Arnie’s knee was injured, and then I was slammed hard onto the concrete floor — both of us taken down by one ram!

Thankfully, it was just bruises, but it’s a reminder of how unpredictable and powerful mature rams can be. Once we recovered, it was time to get back to the real work — the start of breeding season.

We sorted the ewes into four breeding groups (two Suffolk and two Dorset), checking parentage as they ran through the chute, deworming those that needed it, and setting aside thinner ewes for session two of breeding season in a month’s time.This staggered approach keeps lambing organized and prevents overcrowding in the barns.

From rogue rams to the excitement of new breeding groups, this episode is full of action. Stay tuned for the next vlog, where we’ll share how we chose the rams for each group!