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We Need Each Other in the Pork Industry

Those five words were just what I needed to hear the other day. Life has felt a little heavy lately, and sometimes it’s hard to even put my finger on why. One thing I’ve learned about being an ag journalist is that you do it because you are passionate about the people you write for and about. So, when the people you write for and about are struggling, you struggle, too. 

When a pork producer sent me that simple text, I admit it got to me. Putting together the outlook stories for 2024 hasn’t been easy. There is no sugarcoating that 2023 was plain awful and 2024 doesn’t look a whole lot better. 

Sometimes we have no choice but to sit in the hard for a while. Good things will come out of the wait for some, but others won’t be so lucky. That is a difficult thing to wrestle with. I’m still convinced by the theme I see woven throughout the stories on PorkBusiness.com, that we have good reason to play the long game and have hope. 

Our industry is filled with innovative, tireless, hardworking people who are advocating up for the pork industry and trying to deliver certainty in uncertain times by opening up new avenues for trade and protecting producers’ freedom to operate, to name a few. 

Researchers continue to open new doors in science, finding answers to some of the toughest questions in swine health and nutrition. Did you catch the exciting breakthrough in feed biosecurity last fall when Scott Dee, DVM, discovered porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus can survive and be transmitted through feed?

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You Be The Judge: Evaluating 8 Breeding Rams!

Video: You Be The Judge: Evaluating 8 Breeding Rams!

It's time for some honest feedback here at Ewetopia Farms! Today, we’re showing you all eight rams we used for breeding this year. Instead of just presenting them, we thought it would be fun to create a “Ram Report Card” — where we point out both their strengths and areas for improvement.

But here’s the twist: you be the judge! In the comments, let us know what you like about each ram and what you think could be improved. No ram is ever perfect, but every one of them brings something valuable to the flock. By sharing perspectives, we all learn more about what to look for in good breeding stock.

At Ewetopia Farms, we raise registered Suffolk and Polled Dorset sheep, focusing on high-quality genetics, structure, and friendly temperaments. Evaluating breeding rams is part of the bigger picture of building stronger flocks — and we’re excited to share the process with you.

If you enjoy seeing how we evaluate our animals, follow along by subscribing to our channel. We share daily insights into the joys and challenges of sheep farming here in Canada.