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Industry Partners
Prairie Swine Centre is an affiliate of the University of Saskatchewan
Prairie Swine Centre is grateful for the assistance of the George Morris Centre in developing the economics portion of Pork Insight.
Financial support for the Enterprise Model Project and Pork Insight has been provided by:
Advertising, Promoting and Labeling of Pork to Attract Consumers
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles by admin on May 7, 2011 | No Comments
Increasing advertising and providing different labeling may be able to help increase pork sales in Canada. Advertising seems to have been underfunded for the last several years, especially for generic brands. As well, advertising and labeling food safety systems could help reduce negative public opinion after the 2008 Maple Leaf listeria outbreak, and the swine flu. Redesigned labels could included information about traditionally raised pigs, and country of origin. However, the consumer should be informed of the meaning behind newly created symbols used to represent these. Further analysis should be conducted to study the effect of different labeling techniques on certain demographics.
Post weaning cycle effects on oviductal and uterine gene expression
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The abstract for an experiment testing gene expression in the oviduct and uterine tissue of sows 4 and 20 days post-weaning. The goal was to try to explain the difference in success when a heat is skipped before breeding again, rather than immediately breeding post-weaning.
Increasing the genetic impact of elite boars
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A brief summary of a study introducing the evaluation of single-sire boars to increase overall genetic value of litters.
PRRS-negative herd certification: Western Canada pilot project
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A brief summary of a pilot project working to create a method of defining and implementing negative PRRS status certification across Canada. On-going testing and live-time updates are essential to make the certificate as accurate as possible.
Reducing gas emissions from swine barns using zinc oxide nanoparticles
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Prairie Swine Centre by admin on May 6, 2011 | No Comments
The abstract of a study on the use of zinc oxide nanoparticles in manure to reduce levels of H2S and NH3. The zinc oxide significantly reduced H2S levels, but had no effect on NH3 levels.
Group sow housing with individual feeding: identifying research gaps
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An abstract of a review done on group sow housing with individual feeding. Additional research is recommended on group size, genetics, air quality, physiology, and productivity.
The Future of On-line Training
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Online training can provide a cost effective and convenient method of educating people. As well, online learning has been shown to be more effective at teaching material than a conventional classroom, and pupils have increased retention of knowledge. Synchronous online training is done through live-time teaching; whereas, asynchronous teaching has stored material that can usually be accessed at any time. Asynchronous online learning has the additional benefit of being accessed at any time, the ability for the pupil to pick the pace of the material, and the ability to review or skip material as needed. The drawbacks of online learning can be considered to be the cost to purchase the initial technology, the lack of human interaction, and the credibility and accuracy of the material presented.
An Overview of Social Media Tools to Influence Public Opinion
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Descriptions of social media sites, and general tips for using them.
Agricultural Policies in the Future
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Increased taxation and regulation in the USA could affect pork producer costs through biofuels, environmental issues, animal rights, pharmaceuticals,international trade, finances, and competition. Biofuel policy gives ethanol manufacturers an advantage for obtaining corn, and as a result there is less corn available for agriculture and feed prices increase. So far environmental policies have been complied with, but if the Environmental Protection Agency implements new regulations on runoff and dust costs could rise to follow restrictions. Animal welfare issues, the use of antibiotics, and the use of other drugs are coming under public scrutiny, and may lead to reforms either voluntarily or implemented by the government. Reduced trade barriers could be beneficial for exporting, but also means other countries will be able to import pork to North America easier as well. Exchange rates will have an impact on import and export, and new rules by USDA/GIPSA could affect competition between large hog companies.
Production Costs in the Americas
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Competition in the pork industry includes productivity and cost of production. A benchmark survey of Canada, USA, Mexico and South America shows Canada can improve efficiency by reducing the cost of weaned pigs, and increasing target weight. Reducing the cost of weaned pigs can be achieved by reducing the cost of feed, feed energy, facilities, labour and/or sow costs. Increasing market weight provides a good opportunity to increase profit because cost per kg decreases as pig weight increases.