Trying To Make Tracing Ontario Pigs Easier

A new electronic system is in the works to help Ontario’s pork industry meet traceability requirements.

The so-called AgManifest system is designed to replace the paper-based receipts that have traditionally been used when shipping livestock.

Reporting the movement of pigs in Canada became mandatory last year.

Ontario Pork, Conestoga Meat Packers and Sofina Foods have developed the software.

Spokesman Neil Harper says it will allow Ontario Pork to easily and accurately transfer electronic shipping data into the national database.

He says it’s been tested with six transporters.

Now they’re working with Conestoga and Sofina so the processors can pull data from AgManifest to pay producers for the animals they send to market.

That part of the program is expected to be completed later this year.

Guelph-based Oasys Integration Limited put the software program together.

Although specifically designed for the provincial pork industry, officials say it was designed to be adaptable to other livestock commodities as well.