From the publishers desk,
Wow where did the year go, seems like just yesterday that I was typing the message for the first issue of 2013 and here I am at the last one. Things are much more positive then they were 11 months ago, prices and demand are up, feed costs are down. With reduction in herd size it gives Canadian producers more market power. That still will not fix years of losses quickly but at least will help repair the balance sheet.
In the last few weeks at both Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop and Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium producers are sharing their rekindled optimism. As one of the speakers said we (Canadian producers) are survivors, and we are global leaders.
Looking ahead to the coming months there are more opportunities to learn, being informed and trained staff are better staff. Both Banff Pork Seminar and Manitoba Swine Seminar are great chances to keep informed. If you are unable to attend personally look to the February/March edition of Prairie Hog Country for coverage. Again trained employees are the key to better animal welfare and production numbers, as we learned a few weeks ago in the US, untrained barn workers are a determent. The case I am referring was barn workers caught on hidden cameras abusing animals, they stated they did not have adequate training.
From the day I am typing this it will be two weeks until I am in Brandon for Hog Days. I look forward to seeing many producers face to face. I am also excited to be attending Banff Pork Seminar again, although Prairie Hog Country staff has always covered the seminar I usually personally do not attend. Many interesting speakers are lined up. In February I will be in Swift Current to be a part of Cramer Expo and in June Red Deer for Alberta Pork Congress. Prairie Hog Country is proud to be the only Western Canadian Hog Magazine to attend and maintain a booth presence at the trade shows.
Planning ahead to June once again in conjunction with Alberta Pork Congress we will hold the third annual Bruce Winkler Memorial Silent Auction. The funds raised will once again be donated to the Linac MR Machine. I was privileged to meet with one of the inventors and tour the actual machine a few weeks back. At this point it is just nuts, bolts and magnets but starting to take shape. This amazing machine will be able to treat cancer in real time, which will enable treatment in areas not currently treatable. We can continue to make Bruce's dream a reality.
Included in the centre of this issue is the 2014 Prairie Hog Country Calendar, thanks to those producers who sent in their photos. Thanks also to the photo scrutinizers for reviewing the pictures.
As always I am only a phone call or email away. Prairie Hog Country, Box 5536, Leduc, Alberta T9E 2A1, 780.986.0962, fax 780.980.9640 or email: hogcountry@shaw.ca
I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and continued blessings in 2014.
Talk to you next year.
Laurie
On a personal note: Just as I was getting this issue ready for press we suffered a tragedy in my close family. And ,although you hear in the movies "stop the presses" it was not a option. I had to forage through and get the edition ready for the printers. So, I ask for your understanding if you notice errors or omissions in this release.
With this recent situation I am reminded even more how very special family is and the time you spend with them. It is so easy to make excuses, be to busy - take the time. Make a phone call, stop in for a visit heck even send a text.