Assiniboine Community College announces new swine program

Nov 18, 2022

Hog barn workers and other pork industry staff will soon have a pathway for professional development, according to Assiniboine Community College and the Manitoba Pork Council.

The Brandon college has announced that a new Swine Production Foundations program will soon join the catalogue.

Why it matters: Workers will be able to access industry knowledge and education on best practices without the need to take a scheduled, in-person class.

The program was developed in collaboration with the pork council and will include the latest information on health and safety, operating regulations, record keeping and barn systems and maintenance, the college said.

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Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.