Basic HTML Version
Photo: Alberta Pork
CANADA WILL SOON BEGIN
exporting bone-in beef to Taiwan after a
new deal was recently struck. The deal al-
lows beef products under 30 months into
the island and it’s good news for Canada,
which has slowly but steadily been climb-
ing out from the 2003 BSE crisis.
“Our government welcomes Taiwan’s
science-based decision to expand market
access for Canadian beef. Advancing ag-
ricultural trade in growing Asian markets
like Taiwan is just one way our govern-
ment is helping our agriculture exporters
boost their competitiveness around the
world,” said Gerry Ritz, minister of Agri-
culture and Agri-Food Canada.
In 2002, Canada exported $17.8 million
worth of beef to Taiwan. Ten years later,
exports to Taiwan totalled $1.4 million,
a fraction of our country’s overall beef
exports of $1.2 billion.
BEEFEDUP
RELATIONS
WHILE A DEADLY VIRUS HAS
already wreaked havoc on U.S. pig-
lets, the Canadian swine industry is
standing by and being ever-vigilant to
avoid Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus
(PEDv). A quick-moving virus, it kills
the average piglet in five days and has
claimed more than one million Ameri-
can piglets across 20-plus states since it
first appeared last spring.
By mid-February there were 15 cases in
Canada, including 13 in Ontario. Alberta
is not currently a ected, but hog pro-
ducers are being warned to keep animal
welfare top of mind.
“The biggest thing we are trying to
do is get people to become aware of the
potential problem,” said Darcy Fitzgerald,
executive director of Alberta Pork. “That
starts with your own biosecurity at home.”
Livestock trucks and trailers need to
be continuously disinfected and driv-
ers’ boots must remain clean, since the
disease can survive in manure and dirty
wash water.
SWINESICKNESS
INCANADA
However, producers have science
on their side. Harrisvaccines in Ames,
Iowa, recently introduced an updated
version of its original PEDv vaccine.
The drug, iPED+, is an improvement on
the company’s initial vaccine created
last spring. The new drug has higher
and more consistent levels of antibodies
than the first drug, and Canadian vet-
erinarians can order it on an emergency
basis.
“The goal of the vaccine is that we vac-
cinate the sows one to two weeks before
giving birth,” said Joel Harris, head of
sales and marketing with Harrisvaccines.
“They’ll have high enough antibody levels
to then protect the piglets in the early
stages of life.”
In Alberta, all cases must be reported
within 24 hours to the O ce of the Chief
Provincial Veterinarian at (780) 427-3448
or anytime at (800) 524-0051.
Alberta has approximately 350 hog pro-
ducers who generate an estimated $400
million for the province’s economy.
NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN FOR
Alberta’s Agriculture Hall of Fame. With
more than 100 inductees over the years,
there are many familiar names who
have contributed to Alberta’s agriculture
sector. There is an open nomination until
April 30 to put forward a name of some-
one who has demonstrated leadership in
farm, rural or community organizations,
or in the food industry. Alberta Agricul-
ture and Rural Development requires
three di erent people outside his or her
immediate family to put a nominee’s
name forward.
For more information on nominations or
to obtain forms, visit www.agric.gov.ab.ca.
CALL FOR
THEHALL
Spring
2014
grainswest.com
11