Western Canadian Farmers Struggle with Federal Trade Policies

Mar 17, 2025

Western Canadian farmers are facing increasing frustration with federal trade policies that they say favor Eastern Canada, leaving them exposed to economic hardship. Many producers argue that policies designed to protect industries in the East, such as dairy and poultry supply management, limit opportunities for growth and expansion in the West.

The impact of these policies is felt across multiple sectors, from grain to livestock. Pork producers in particular have faced challenges due to restricted access to certain markets and increased costs driven by federal regulations. Additionally, Western farmers have endured ongoing issues with rail transportation bottlenecks, making it difficult to move their products efficiently while Eastern-based industries benefit from more developed infrastructure and federal support.

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Video: Managing Severe PRRS Outbreaks - Dr. Claire Mtezankuni

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Claire Mtezankuni, Swine Veterinarian at Carthage Veterinary Service, discusses the growing severity of PRRS outbreaks in sow farms. She explains how respiratory disease and sow mortality are changing outbreak response, why necropsies and bacterial cultures can guide treatment, and how vaccination, biosecurity, pain management, and clear team communication support recovery and elimination. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Emerging PRRS strains can produce severe reproductive and respiratory disease simultaneously, creating substantial health challenges across sow farms during acute outbreaks.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Claire Mtezankuni / claire-mtezankuni-2529b1b3 is a Swine Veterinarian at Carthage Veterinary Service in Illinois, where her work includes commercial farm veterinary leadership, herd health, disease elimination, and veterinary internship coordination. She holds a DVM from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a Master of Veterinary Science in Livestock Systems Health from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Learn more from Dr. Claire Mtezankuni on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms.