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

This video posted on YouTube shows animal activists entering a turkey barn at the Jumbo Valley Hutterite Colony on Labour Day. The protesters, who had been dropped off by buses, arrived early in the morning before workers from the colony were on site.

Province asking people to weigh in on trespassing, biosecurity laws

The province is also considering laws to deter metal theft through more record-keeping

The province is asking Manitobans if it should follow the other Prairie provinces in updating laws to clarify landowners’ rights on trespassers and enforcing biosecurity, as well as deterring metal theft. “I think what we need is clarity around what is trespassing and how it can be enforced,” Minister of Justice Cliff Cullen said. Why


People enter Smithfield Foods through a screening tent on April 16, in Sioux Falls, S.D. The plant is currently closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, sending shock waves through the hog sector.

Weanling barns wrestle with market free fall

U.S. market disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic has sent the swine weanling market diving

One of Manitoba’s top livestock exports is in a tight spot after market implications of COVID-19 sent the swine market for weanlings into a tailspin. Hams Marketing put average ISO wean price at US$7.38 as of April 17, a dramatic drop from the end of January, when the company estimated average ISO wean price at

File photo of hogs in transit near Red Deer, Alta. (Stefonlinton/iStock/Getty Images)

Canada’s pork sector up to speed, aware of challenges

Processing plants enhancing biosecurity; producers being urged to watch their stress levels

They’re adding protective plexiglass shields, bringing in trailers to separate groups of workers, and boosting communication on biosecurity. It’s all part of an ongoing effort to ensure pork processing plants aren’t disrupted by COVID-19. “I’m very impressed by our packers, and for the workers for coming to work every day and being there and realizing


Truckers deal with new reality under COVID-19

Truckers deal with new reality under COVID-19

Reduced services on the road have made for a much different international trucking experience

Trucks are still moving across the Canada-U.S. border, but trucking companies say the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is still making life difficult. Both the U.S. and Canadian governments have exempted trade from their travel restrictions. On March 16, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada would ban entry to foreign nationals except for Canadian citizens, permanent residents,

Pork processors are grappling with social distancing and employees who are suddenly without childcare.

Pork sector looks for coronavirus answers

COVID-19: The pork sector’s labour- and human-intensive production system has added an extra challenge to maintaining the value chain

Andrew Dickson has had a busy few days. The general manager for the Manitoba Pork Council, Dickson has been on the phone, both dealing with his own organization’s steps towards social distancing and trying to deal with the looming concerns of the pork industry in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. For an industry like


Commonly used surfaces, such as truck door handles, should be cleaned more often. (Kali9/E+/Getty Images)

Take extra steps to keep farm workers safe during COVID-19

Add biosecurity practices, or ramp up the ones you already employ

Farmers concerned about the spread of COVID-19 can learn from the hog sector on the matter of protecting themselves and their workers, says a leading expert on biosecurity in the pork industry. “This is the world of biosecurity that the swine industry deals with on a daily basis,” said Dr. Egan Brockhoff, veterinarian counsellor for

Poultry farmers’ groups have said they support the private member’s bill.

Industry supports bill to punish on-farm protests

The federal private member’s bill increases fines for trespass that threatens animals

Glacier FarmMedia – The growing issue of on-farm protests threatening the health and safety of animals is the subject of a private member’s bill recently introduced to the House of Commons. Conservative Party of Canada Agriculture Critic John Barlow introduced the bill with the goal of punishing those responsible for on-farm protests. Why it matters: