Overview Feed costs make up about 60 per cent of the total cost of hog production. Therefore, movements in feed prices could determine which side of the profit ledger a farm operates on. As the industry inches toward more equitable value sharing, should there be more consideration for feed costs? Feed prices on the rise…
Overview For the past five years, the western Canadian hog price has fluctuated erratically. The seemingly age-old problem of hog price volatility has become worse in a context of ever-increasing costs of production and, more recently, with the economic effects of COVID-19. Within the past year, Olymel, the largest hog buyer and pork processor in…
Alberta Pork’s 51st annual general meeting (AGM) was hosted virtually on Nov. 26, 2020. In attendance were more than 100 participants – mostly registered Alberta hog farmers. During the meeting, a resolution was put forth to explore the possibility of a single-desk hog marketing system for Alberta – similar to the arrangement in Quebec, where producers…
As pandemic fatigue begins to set in, one of the Canadian pork industry’s biggest threats is COVID-19 compliance complacency – failing to do the right things when we know better. Be strong, do your part and tell others: Because it is important for you, your family, your workers, your farm, the entire industry and Canadian…
Alberta Pork has been notified about a confirmed case of H1N2v influenza discovered in Alberta. H1N2v influenza is an infectious respiratory disease caused by type A influenza viruses. It is commonly found in populations of livestock around the world. As noted by Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health, this animal virus is…
From low pig pricing to COVID-19 impacts, and from rising farm costs to less opportunity for farm businesses to thrive, Alberta hog producers today are in a very tight spot. As time goes on and profitability continues to decline, some producers are reducing production or exiting the industry altogether. Despite these challenges, it is as…
All business relationships contain a balance of power. In the Alberta hog industry, over time, the power has swung from an equitable place for both producers and packers, to favouring packers and retailers. Between 1969 and 1996, Alberta Pork acted as the single-desk seller for hogs in the province. In those days, there were nearly…
Alberta Pork’s 51st annual general meeting (AGM) will take place for all registered producers and industry partners during the afternoon of Thurs., Nov. 26. Please save this date in your calendar if you plan on attending. COVID-19 has impacted our lives and industry greatly, including placing restrictions on in-person gatherings. This year, Alberta Pork’s board…
Historical ups and downs in the hog marketplace have come to be expected. However, since last year, and more dramatically this year, low pig prices are sending a signal to Alberta’s pork producers that they should reduce barn inventory to minimize financial damage to their businesses. In the past few months, with increasing frequency, producers…
Confusion surrounding hog pricing formulas has somewhat hindered producer understanding of contracts for a long time. By breaking out the components of the formulas, it is possible to observe some of the drivers behind the different formulas and thereby provide clarity. Canada prices pigs using U.S. data Historically, the U.S. has been Canada’s primary market…