Minister MacDonald to announce Government of Canada’s collaboration in developing the National Agricultural Soil Health Strategy

Mar 27, 2026

Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and the Honourable Robert Black, Senator for Ontario, will make an important announcement regarding the development of a National Agricultural Soil Health Strategy, reaffirming the Government of Canada’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, enhanced agricultural productivity, and long-term soil resilience.

The announcement will highlight the collaboration between Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Soil Conservation Council of Canada (SCCC) in developing the Strategy in collaboration with partners across Canada’s agricultural sector. It will also recognize the significant contributions of the Senate, highlighting the leadership of Senator Black, and underscoring AAFC’s intention to continue working closely with the SCCC.

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Video: How Data Predicts Swine Outbreaks - Swaminathan Jayaraman

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Swaminathan Jayaraman, Research Assistant and PhD Candidate at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, explains how integrated data systems can improve disease surveillance in swine production. He discusses combining diagnostics, animal movement data, production records, and spatial analytics to identify risks earlier and support proactive decision-making for PRRS, PED, and swine influenza. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Disease surveillance remains largely reactive because outbreaks are often confirmed only after transmission has already occurred across multiple connected production sites."

Meet the guest: Swaminathan Jayaraman / swamjay is a Graduate Research Assistant at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. With academic training in management information systems and engineering, he focuses on integrating diagnostic, production, and movement data to improve disease surveillance and decision support in swine production systems. Listen to Swaminathan Jayaraman on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms.