Ontario Pork Congress, Culling Strategies, and Innovation in Swine Management Highlight August Updates

Ontario Pork Congress: A Student’s Perspective
For OMAFA summer student Maya Tucker, attending the Ontario Pork Congress (OPC) in Stratford was more than just an industry event — it was an immersion into the people, ideas, and innovations driving the pork sector. Over two days, she connected with producers, engineers, nutritionists, and industry suppliers, worked the OMAFA booth sharing resources on feed coverage and enrichment, and took part in the “Taste the Best” competition and the charity Hog Jog. Highlights included meaningful career advice, interactive events like the Bacon Maker Classic for youth, and seeing firsthand the teamwork and passion that make the pork industry thrive.

Making the Tough Call: Knowing When to Cull
At the inaugural Ontario Swine Conference, veterinarian Dr. Luc Dufresne and producer Travis Jansen tackled the complex decision-making process behind culling and euthanasia. Their advice: start by measuring breeding performance targets, prioritize sound conformation and udder quality in gilt selection, and identify underperforming pigs early in nursery and grow-finish stages. Both emphasized that “no decision is still a decision” — avoiding action can create welfare issues and hurt productivity. Tools like the Canadian Pork Council’s culling flow charts, combined with good communication and training, can make these tough calls more structured and effective.

Lift Crates: Raising the Bar for Piglet Survival
Lift crates, an evolution of traditional farrowing crates, are gaining traction among Ontario producers. By mechanically lifting sows when they stand and lowering them once fully lying down, these systems protect piglets from crushing — reducing pre-weaning mortality by up to 55% in some studies. While installation costs are higher, many farms report payback in as little as 18 months through improved survival rates and productivity. They also offer space efficiencies and maintain the management benefits of traditional crates, making them a promising option for farms balancing welfare and efficiency.