November 18, 2020
Canadian Hog Journal Spring 2020
Articles in the Spring 2020 Canadian Hog Journal Include: 
Hot Issues: Defending the Pork Value Chain During COVID-19, Buying into Biosecurity can be a Burden
- So far in the recent months of COVID-19, food demand remains unchanged, though losses are projected for the future. Spring 2020 annual meetings were cancelled. Threats to staffing have been felt in the pork industry, especially in Canada’s meat processors. Shutdowns of some pork, beef and poultry plants in the U.S. and Canada have occurred, disrupting the chain to processing.
- A National Swine Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard was created that should help tailor biosecurity needs to individual farms. Having good biosecurity translates into producing safe food.
Markets and More: Producers Should Seek Better Share of Export Prices
- Asia exports are increasing while exports to the U. S. continue to decline due to a shift in export market values. Western Canadian producers are experiencing lower prices for pork compared to Eastern Canada.
Food Culture and Trends: Exploring Four Key Food Trends for 2020
- Gen-Z and Millennials are more likely to purchase animal-welfare-certified products. One in three Canadian consumers do not believe Canada’s food system is on the right course, with 91% not knowing much about current farming practices. Veganism and vegetarianism is on the rise. Plant-based food trends are rising as a way to moderate consumers carbon footprints, with blended meat products on the rise.
Research and Innovation: Growth Performance of Weaned Pigs Fed Raw or Heat-Processed Field Pea
- Field pea diets have lower digestibility of protein and energy and heat processing did not improve this. Weight gain was similar but the field pea diet had increased feed intake so feed conversion was worse. Growth is not affected by feeding weaned pigs 40% raw field pea in place of 30% soybean meal and 10% wheat.
Functional Amino Acids Above Requirements Enhance the Ability of Pigs to Cope with an Enteric Challenge
- A combination of functional amino acids supplemented above growth requirements improve average daily gain and feed efficiency in diseased pigs. They reduce bacterial shedding while improving the immune response.
