PED challenges have been exacerbated by cold temperatures this winter.

PED making for a long winter

A fall-winter outbreak has brought a different twist and new frustrations to dealing with PED

Winter has given the hog sector a different challenge in its fight with porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED). Jenelle Hamblin, manager of swine health programs with the Manitoba Pork Council (MPC), said the outbreak is trending similarly to 2017 and 2019, both record-breaking years, albeit with a three-week lag in case counts. Now 12 weeks into

PED is often fatal to piglets. It was first detected in the province in 2014.

PED trajectory mirroring previous big outbreaks

The majority of the 21 cases remain in Southeastern Manitoba

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) cases this year are thus far on a similar trajectory to peak case years of 2017 and 2019 the Manitoba Pork Council (MPC) said in a townhall meeting Dec. 7. “Not to say that it will continue in 2019 and 2017 trajectories, however what we’re seeing now is not really what


PED can spread quickly throughout an operation once it breaches a barn’s biosecurity.

PED hits ‘outbreak’ territory

While cases remain low, a wide geographic spread and lack of answers on the investigation front have taken PED concern up a level

[UPDATED: Nov. 23, 2021] Manitoba is now looking at another outbreak year on PED. As of Nov. 19, the province had reported 11 cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea. Cases have been creeping upward since late October, including two nursery barns and one farrow to finish operation. While older animals often recover from illness, the viral

“At this time, no link has been established between the two cases.” – Manitoba Pork Council.

Second case of PED confirmed

Manitoba’s immaculate 2021 record is a thing of the past with its second case

The pork industry has confirmed the year’s second case of PED (porcine epidemic diarrhea) in a finisher barn in southeast Manitoba. The case was confirmed Oct. 29. The Manitoba Pork Council (MPC) said both the year’s first case — detected in a sow barn near Blumenort Oct. 25 — and the more recent case are

The Manitoba government said it wrote the law based on national biosecurity standards.

Will Bill 62 have unintended consequences?

For farmers looking for consumer trust, some studies, experts, suggest ‘ag-gag’ laws are counterproductive

A new provincial law to keep trespassers out of barns and animal rights advocates away from transport trucks may do that — but it may also erode public trust in farming practices. “The public wants to know what it is that farmers are trying to hide,” Jodi Lazare told the Co-operator. Lazare teaches law at


The pork sector was among those applauding the passage of the new legislation.

Ag leaders pleased on passage of anti-trespassing laws

Strong opposition highlights the need for more conversations around biosecurity and farming practices

Agriculture leaders say they’re pleased to see two biosecurity and anti-trespassing bills pass into law. Manitoba Pork general manager Cam Dahl thanked the province for “helping producers protect their biosecurity as well as help them protect their workers and their families on the farm.” “These bills go a long ways to helping with those efforts,” he told the

Some areas of Western Canada might already be past the point where “pig free” is even possible, says a University of Saskatchewan researcher.

Losing the war with wild boar

Forget eradication. For some parts of Manitoba it’s now a containment game

It’s time to up our efforts in the battle against wild pigs, according to a leading voice in the field. Ryan Brook of the University of Saskatchewan has spent years studying the rise of the invasive species in Western Canada, and has also spent years raising the alarm. He has watched as sounders — the

The threat of disease outbreaks is why we are seeing provincial governments across the country pass legislation that imposes penalties for those who trespass onto farm operations.

Comment: COVID-19 pandemic – lessons to keep

Most of us can’t wait to turn the page on the pandemic, but we’ve also learned a lot

As we approach the one-year anniversary of pandemic lockdowns, COVID-19 fatigue has set in for most. We want to see our families again. We want to have a barbecue with our neighbours. We want to be able to meet a group of friends at a restaurant. While we don’t want to talk about positives coming


“We view this as really positive for producers’ protection with regards to trespassing.” – Bill Campbell, KAP.

Public, KAP support largely behind trespassing bills

Biosecurity bill carries potential concerns from animal welfare advocates about ‘ag gag’ laws

The leader of Keystone Agricultural Producers says the recently released bills on trespassing and farm security address most of their concerns. “As an organization we are very pleased that they have been able to move forward with some of the suggestions that were presented by our organization,” said KAP president Bill Campbell. “We view this as really positive for

File photo of a farmed mink. (Konstantin Sokolov/iStock/Getty Images)

Canada’s mink farms brace for COVID

Producers have had time to increase biosecurity efforts at the farm level

Canada’s 40 mink farms are operating under heightened biosecurity requirements after reports of COVID-19 jumping from humans to mink in Europe. Alan Herscovici, an industry spokesperson who operates the website Truthaboutfur.com, said early reports out of Denmark and other European countries gave Canadian producers some time to prepare. “These farms have always had a certain