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How Genomic Tools are Helping Pork Producers Breed Healthier Hogs

Alberta may be famous for its beef, but the province is also home to a thriving pork sector. Canada is the third largest global pork exporter, and approx. 20% of that pork is raised here in Alberta. Healthy pigs are foundational to this success, and genomic tools are helping pig breeders maximize pig health and reduce the impact of disease on animal welfare.

As demand for protein grows both here and around the world, maintaining healthy, productive herds is a high priority for the pork industry. Disease resilience, the ability to be minimally affected by disease or to rapidly return to normal after pathogenic infection, has become an area of particular interest for pork producers and breeders. Improving the disease resilience of our nation’s pork could have wide-ranging benefits:

  • Better for pigs: Staying healthy means a better quality of life for animals too. No one enjoys being sick, and the same is true for livestock suffering from illness. Improved disease resilience means pigs get sick less often and infections are less severe, thereby improving animal welfare.
  • Better for pork producers: Caring for sick animals takes money, time and resources, and infectious diseases impact pigs’ ability to grow and produce litters. The two most common diseases affecting commercial pigs – Porcine Circovirus Associated Disease (PCVAD) and Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS) – cost Canadian pork producers $100 million every year. With healthier pigs, high-quality pork can be produced at lower cost, which benefits producers and consumers.
  • Better for Albertans: The health of people, animals and the environment depend on one another – this is core to the One Health approach. Infectious diseases that affect animals can sometimes mutate and spread to people and this risk increases when farm workers are exposed to infected livestock. On the other hand, the more antibiotics are used to control the spread of disease, the greater the risk that pathogens will develop antimicrobial resistance. Improving the disease resilience of livestock helps ensure a safer, more secure food supply and workforce, while also reducing reliance on antibiotics.
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Building Better Barns: Innovations in Hog Facility Design with PSI’s Tim Messinger

Video: Building Better Barns: Innovations in Hog Facility Design with PSI’s Tim Messinger

In this exclusive interview from the 2025 Iowa Pork Congress Rachel Fishback and Swineweb sit down with Tim Messinger, a seasoned expert from Precision Structures Inc. (PSI) of Wellman, Iowa, to delve into the latest trends and innovations in hog barn construction and remodeling.

With nearly two decades at PSI, Tim shares his journey from draftsman to sales, highlighting the company’s comprehensive services in building farrow-to-wean complexes, finishers, and nurseries. He emphasizes the critical role of proper site layout and grading in barn construction, ensuring long-term efficiency and scalability for pork producers.

Tim also discusses the increasing importance of advanced ventilation systems and smart controllers like Maximus and AP Edge, which offer producers enhanced monitoring and control over barn environments. As construction costs have risen, PSI has seen an uptick in remodeling projects, particularly in slat replacements, roof refurbishments and barn gating remodels to extend the lifespan of existing facilities.

A key takeaway from Tim is the value of partnering with reputable builders who offer robust post-sale support. PSI’s dedicated service team stands ready to assist clients 24/7, addressing emergencies and ensuring optimal barn performance.

For pork producers looking to build or upgrade their facilities, this conversation offers valuable insights into best practices and the latest industry developments.