2012 Spring Producer Meetings

Posted in: Press Releases by katrina on February 8, 2012 | No Comments

Spring Producer Meetings

Prairie Swine Centre will be hosting a series of pork producers throughout Canada.  These meetings will focus on helping pork producers improving the bottom line of their operations, and the long term sustainability of the industry.  Please check below for a date and location that it convenient for you.

Featured Speakers

For more information please contact the Prairie Swine Centre (306) 667-7439

Technology Transfer Summer Student Position

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TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

SUMMER STUDENT 2012

THE POSITION: Reporting to the Manager – Information Services, the Technology Transfer Summer Student is responsible for preparing written summaries of research conducted around the world that has merit to the Canadian pork industry. Summaries will cover topics in all areas of research including but not limited to nutrition, environment, cost of production, economics, animal wellbeing, and housing.  The position will work with and be provided technical support by a dedicated team of researchers and technicians with specialized training in nutrition, engineering, applied ethology and business management. Training and supervision in communication, writing and operation of proprietary economic model will be provided.

THE CANDIDATE: This position will be of interest to individuals who have completed some literature research as part of their university education in business or the sciences. A passion and demonstrated ability in all forms of communication (written and oral) would be a definite asset. Computer skills are essential and will include Microsoft programs Word and Excel. Experience or a desire to learn database applications, and website maintenance would be desirable. Preference will be given to applicants who have knowledge of agriculture and the pork industry in particular. A valid driver’s license and transportation are required.

THE COMPANY: Prairie Swine Centre Inc. is a non-profit corporation located 10 km east of Saskatoon. It offers an internationally recognized program in research, technology transfer and graduate education related to pork production. The Centre operates a 280-sow farrow to finish research herd and employs 35 full- and part-time staff and students (www.prairieswine.com).

Applications, including a resume should be sent to Mr. Ken Engele, Technology Transfer Manager, Prairie Swine Centre Inc., P.O. Box21057, 2105 – 8^th Street East, Saskatoon, SK, S7H 5N9. Phone (306)-667-7439, Fax (306)-955-2510. Email ken.engele@usask.ca. Deadline for receipt of applications is March 25, 2012.

Apply Now

Focus on Feed Efficiency in Pork Production Webinar Series

Posted in: Press Releases by katrina on February 1, 2012 | 1 Comment

With diets costing $50 to $60 per tonne more than budget all farms are looking for feed cost relief. Grain purchasing strategies are an essential part of controlling the total cost of production. With higher feed costs there has been a greater emphasis put on feed efficiency.

Prairie Swine Centre will be hosting a series of eight one-hour interactive webinars. Starting March 5 and ending in June 2012.

Focus on Feed Efficiency webinars are accessible with any internet connection and will include presentations from Research Scientists and pork producers who are making a difference in improving on-farm feed efficiency.

A variey of topics will be introduced to help producers use feed efficiency including the effect of feed processing, herd management effects on feed efficiency, amino acid nutrition, understanding dietary energy concentrations and new feed processing technologies.

Advantages of Attending the Webinars

In order to be competitive in the pork industry producers must know their cost of production. Feed costs represent approximately 60 to 70% of the total cost of production, and therefore represent the greatest opportunity to reduce costs.

During the course of this webinar series Research Scientists and pork producers will present information on improving feed efficiency in swine. By attending the live webinar events pork producers and industry personnel may not only ask the speaker specific questions but receive the answer right away, directly from the expert.

Schedule of Times and Speakers

1.  March 5, 2012 – 1:30 pm CST, Dr. Candido Pomar, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada “The Future of Precision Livestock Farming”

2.  March 27, 2012 – 1:30 pm CST, Dr. Bob Goodband, Kansas State University “Feeding and Barn Management Factors that Influence Whole Herd Feed Efficiency”

3.  April 10, 2012 – 1:30 pm CST, Dr. Aaron Gaines, The Machoffs “Herd Management Factors that Influence Whole Herd Feed Efficiency”

4.  April 24, 2012 – 1:30 pm CST, Dr. Tom Scott, University of Saskatchewan “New Processing Technology that May Influence Feed Efficiency”

5.  May 8, 2012 – 10:30 am CST, Dr. Steve Dritz, Kansas State University “Health Effect on Feed Efficiency”

6.  May 22, 2012 – 10:30 am CST, Dr. Rod Johnson, University of Illinois “Fueling the Immune Response: What is the Cost?”

7.  June 5, 2012 – 10:30 am CST, Dr. Denise Beaulieu, Prairie Swine Centre “Emerging Technologies with Potential to Influence Feed Efficiency”

8.  June 19, 2012 – 10:30 am CST, Dr. John Patience, Iowa State University “Dietary Energy Concentration and Feed Efficiency Targets: What are the Right Questions, and Do We Have the Answers?”

To participate and listen live to the webinar broadcasts sign-up at www.ourflc.com/member-resources/sign-up and become a member of the Farm Leadership Council

or

View the webinar after the live event at www.prairieswine.com

Swine Liquid Feeding Association Seminar February 21, 2012

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Swine Liquid Feeding Association Seminar

Hosted by Swine Liquid Feeding Solutions for Success

Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at the Arden Park Hotel in Stratford Ontario.

The featured speaker is Marcel Lipsch a Sales Manager for Bonda BV in The Netherlands, Belgium and Western Germany. Marcel Graduated from Dronten Agricultural College in 1992 with a degree in Ag. Commerce. Marcel commenced his work at Bonda as a product manager responsible for sales of coproducts in the Southeastern Region of the Netherlands. In 2005 he became Sales Manager and is responsible for the coordination of purchase and sales of coproducts and ensuring proper volume controls to meet the needs of the suppliers and customers. Marcel is responsible for a staff of 15 people and includes Ruminant and Swine sales representatives as well as an on staff Nutritionist. His group does €40,000,000 in sales yearly. Marcel lives in Grathem, Netherlands with his wife Nicolle and their two children.

Advance registration only by Wednesday, February 15th, 2012. $75 per person. Registration includes proceedings, a hot noon buffet and refreshments.

For complete registration information and a list of speakers please download the program here!

Co-Sponsored by OMAFRA, The University of Guelph and Ontario Pork.

2012 Banff Pork Seminar Special Report Available

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This year the Banff Pork Seminar was attended by 660 participants and featured speakers and discussions that covered many leading topics and issues for today’s pork industry. 

A broad variety of stories, reports and photos from the 2012 BPS are available in an Inside BPS Special Report. Visit the Report page online: http://www.meristem.com/meeting/bps_2012-00.htm. It includes these stories and more:

• Seven key ‘risk drivers’ pork players should watch
• Pork industry economic outlook cautiously optimistic
• Canadian swine industry updating codes of practice
• Technology, ‘fighting the fringe’ key to pork industry progress
• Livestock strategies rise as intervention for Gates Foundation
• Innovators celebrated at Banff Pork Seminar with Aherne awards
• Danish company gives inside look at European animal welfare management
• ‘Activist thinking’ key as pork industry tackles global challenges

The Inside BPS Special Report was supported by the Banff Pork Seminar to provide a timely, straight-from-the-Seminar-floor capturing of the event information for participants, and also to provide stories and photos for use by media. Note, these materials are available for use and reprint by industry organizations and media, with credit to Banff Pork Seminar.

The Banff Pork Seminar Advisory Committee would like to thank everyone for making the 2012 Banff Pork Seminar a successful event.

2012 BANFF PORK SEMINAR Advisory Committee

Phone: (780) 492-3651     FAX: (780) 492-5771

Email:  info@banffpork.ca
www.banffpork.ca

BANFF PORK SEMINAR 2013

January 15-18, 2013 at the Banff Centre for Conferences, Banff, AB, Canada

Winter 2012 Western Hog Journal Now Available

Posted in: Press Releases by katrina on January 16, 2012 | No Comments

The Western Hog Journal is the leading source of technical and business information for pig producers and the pork industry in Western Canada. Published five times per year, it has four regular issues and a “Banff Special Issue” which contains summaries of presentations given at the Banff. Pork Seminar, one of North America’s premier conferences.

WHJ focuses on providing practical information and advice aimed at improving the efficiency of pig producers, drawing on the expertise of researchers, advisers and veterinarians, with contributors from North America, Europe and Australia.

To view the latest Western Hog Journal click on the link below!

http://www.prairieswine.com/western-hog-journal/

Technology Transfer Manager Joins Prairie Swine Centre

Posted in: Press Releases by katrina on November 10, 2011 | No Comments

Lee Whittington, President of Prairie Swine Centre, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Kenneth Engele to the management team.  Meeting the needs of pork producers, service sectors, and industry associations through the delivery of a timely and effective Technology Transfer program has been a crucial part of Prairie Swine Centre’s success.  “It’s great to welcome someone with Ken’s background”, notes Lee Whittington, President/CEO – Prairie Swine Centre, “He has excellent understanding of what makes the pork industry tick, and how Prairie Swine Centre can meet the needs of Canadian producers.”

Ken brings more than 14 years of swine industry experience, both on the commercial level, in addition to developing expertise in the areas of assessing the economic impact of hog marketing and research in the swine industry.  At Prairie Swine Centre his work will focus on delivering an effective and timely communication with pork producers, and those organizations that service the pork industry.  Ken will also be responsible for managing the Technology Transfer component of the Canadian Swine and Research Development Cluster.

 The CSRDC consists of 14 research projects acrossCanadadesigned to reduce the cost of production, focus on product differentiation, Ken will be responsible for working with researchers funded by the program to ensure timely, accurate delivery of results from the research to the industry.

As a national Technology Transfer program, Mr. Engele will be seeking to enhance cooperation between the many industry, extension, and government agencies that regularly interact with pork producers

Funding for the position was provided, in part from the Canadian Swine Research and Development Cluster (CSRDC) established within the Growing Canadian Agri-Innovation Program – Canadian Agri-Science Cluster initiatives of Agriculture andAgri-FoodCanada.  The objectives of CSRDC are to facilitate research, technology transfer, and commercialization initiatives designed to enhance the competitiveness and differentiation of the pork industry.

“The pork industry is a dynamic industry that is always on the edge of adopting new technologies to increase efficiencies and sustainability”, notes Mr. Engele, “I look forward to meeting and working with producers and the industry to drive the pork industry forward in the future.”

Prairie Swine Centre Inc., located near Saskatoon, is a non-profit research corporation affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan, and is recognized globally for its contributions to practical, applied science in pork production in the disciplines of nutrition, engineering and applied animal behaviour.

Sign-Up for FREE Publications from Prairie Swine

Posted in: Press Releases by katrina on October 20, 2011 | No Comments

Signing up to receive Prairie Swine Centre publications is now simple!!!

Just go to http://www.prairieswine.com/signup/ and fill out the sign-up sheet.  You will then start receiving the Centred on Swine magazine and/or Prairie Swine Centre’s bi-weekly electronic newsletter for FREE.

By signing up for current Prairie Swine Centre publications you will receive the latest information on the behaviour and nutrition of swine as well as advancements in swine barn engineering.

The mandate of the Prairie Swine Centre is to produce and distribute knowledge derived through original research, scientific review and economic analysis.  This is reflected in all of Prairie Swine Centre’s publications.

“Friends of the Centre” Campaign

Posted in: Press Releases by katrina on September 8, 2011 | No Comments

Objective

To allow a broader group of pork industry individuals and corporations to lend their support to the Prairie Swine Centre.

Motivation

For the past several months and into the near-term most pork producers including the Prairie Swine Centre have faced significant financial challenges.

Concept

“Friends of the Centre”

is way for for pork producers, suppliers, packers, processors and others to show their support. Benefits from having a dedicated swine research facility flows to all parts of the value chain. As a friend of the Centre you will ensure Prairie Swine Centre remains a viable part of the pork industry in the future.

Benefits to our Friends

• The opportunity to play a visible and meaninful role in the continuation of the unique industry-orientated research and technology transfer programs offered by Prairie Swine Centre.
• Friends receive advanced notice of seminars, publications and special events sponsored by the Centre.
• Friends will have their business recognized as “Friends of the Centre” on the PSC Website.
• Friends will also be provided with exclusive opportunities to provide advertorial materials for insertion in newsletters, Centred on Swine publications and the Annual Research Reports.
• Friends will also benefit by knowing that they made a difference when it really mattered.

Benefits to Prairie Swine Centre

• The Centre gains a voluntary source of funds to partially fill the gap in the business plan created by poor pig prices and the declining check-off funds available for pork associations to allocate to research.
• The Centre gains a group of motivated and interested champions that see value in maintaining a strong industry orientated research program.
• The sharing of costs incurred to generate knowledge is spread over a greater portion of the industry and better reflects the allocation of benefits to multiple members of the pork value chain. This way the number of champions that take ownership for the Centre as well as the knowledge it develops, increases.

To provide your support to the Centre please consider the following voluntary contributions to the “Friends of the Centre” Campaign

$200 individual farm membership
$1500 regional suppliers
$2500 national/international suppliers

Cheques can be made payable to:
Prairie Swine Centre
Box 21057, 2105 8th Street East
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7H 5N9 CANADA
A receipt can be provided upon request.

2011 Annual Research Report Released

Posted in: Press Releases by admin on July 12, 2011 | No Comments

July 12, 2011

Meeting the needs of the commercial pork value chain with new information that — reduces the cost of production, improves product quality, speaks to worker health and safety, lowers emissions and environmental impact, and addresses practical behaviour and welfare questions – the 2010 edition of the Annual Research Report provides insight into a wide range of industry challenges and opportunities.

At 60 pages, this edition includes 14 scientific articles, plus updates on activity in our pig production unit and technology transfer activities for the calendar year 2010.

http://www.prairieswine.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/AR-2010.pdf

Some of the highlights from this year’s edition include:

• Energy savings of 39-52% using alternative heating/ventilation systems;
• Pigs housed in large group auto-sort systems modify their behaviour;
• Using field peas at up to 60% did not cause any reduction in feed intake;
• Feeding programs for sows can affect how offspring respond to immune challenges presented at weaning;
• Long term feeding of sows with varied dietary n-6 and n-3 fatty acids can affect reproductive performance;
• Not all pig transportation compartments provide the same environment, and can affect pig stress levels and meat quality;

Prairie Swine Centre Inc., located near Saskatoon, is a non-profit research corporation affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan, and is recognized globally for its contributions to practical, applied science in pork production in the disciplines of nutrition, engineering and applied animal behaviour.