NewsLine by Cole's Ag on October 14, 2025, 9:00am

Swine Innovation Porc Announces New Chair

Oct. 14, 2025 (Ottawa, ON) – Swine Innovation Porc (SIP) is pleased to announce that Mark Ferguson was elected as Chair of the organization on September 25, 2025.

“I am honoured to be elected as Chair of SIP,” said Ferguson. “I look forward to working with our members and partners towards our shared vision of ensuring long-term profitable pork production through collaborative research and innovation.”

Ferguson brings more than 20 years of experience to the role. As General Manager of SaskPork, based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, he has been instrumental in advancing numerous industry growth initiatives. He grew up on a family farm near Edgeley, Saskatchewan, and currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Prairie Swine Centre.

“The value SIP provides by bringing producer groups and industry partners together across Canada for coordinated research is key to our sector’s success.” added Ferguson. “By advancing science-based solutions SIP is helping the Canadian pork sector build on its strengths.”

Ferguson joins René Roy (Vice-Chair) and Jorge Correa (Treasurer) on the SIP Board of Director’s Executive team. He succeeds outgoing Chair Arno Schober, who led the Board since 2021. “We are pleased to welcome Mark as Chair as we continue providing leadership in the Canadian pork research community” added SIP General Manager Daniel Ramage. “We also extend our sincere thanks to Arno for his years of service to our organization and commend his efforts driving innovation on behalf of the pork value chain.”

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About Swine Innovation Porc:

Swine Innovation Porc (SIP) is dedicated to driving innovation and progress in the Canadian pork industry. Through collaboration, funding research and promoting knowledge transfer, SIP works towards ensuring the sustained success of the Canadian pork sector. Learn more at swineinnovationporc.ca.

For more information, contact:

Cole Christensen
Manager of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Swine Innovation Porc
info@swineinnovationporc.ca
403-589-3529

Swine Innovation Porc annonce un nouveau président

Le 14 octobre 2025 (Ottawa, ON) – Swine Innovation Porc (SIP) est heureux d’annoncer que Mark Ferguson a été élu président de l’organisation le 25 septembre 2025.

« Je suis honoré d’avoir été élu président de SIP », a déclaré M. Ferguson. « Je me réjouis de travailler avec nos membres et nos partenaires à la réalisation de notre vision commune qui consiste à garantir une production porcine rentable à long terme grâce à la recherche collaborative et à l’innovation. »

M. Ferguson apporte plus de 20 ans d’expérience à ce poste. En tant que directeur général de SaskPork, basé à Saskatoon, en Saskatchewan, il a joué un rôle déterminant dans la promotion de nombreuses initiatives de croissance de l’industrie. Il a grandi dans une ferme familiale près d’Edgeley, en Saskatchewan, et occupe actuellement le poste de président du conseil d’administration du Prairie Swine Centre.

« La valeur qu’apporte SIP en réunissant des groupes de producteurs et des partenaires industriels de tout le Canada pour mener des recherches coordonnées est essentielle au succès de notre secteur », a ajouté M. Ferguson. « En proposant des solutions fondées sur la science, SIP aide le secteur porcin canadien à tirer parti de ses atouts. »

M. Ferguson rejoint René Roy (vice-président) et Jorge Correa (trésorier) au sein de l’équipe de direction du conseil d’administration de SIP. Il remplace le président sortant Arno Schober, qui dirigeait le conseil depuis 2021.

« Nous sommes ravis d’accueillir Mark en tant que président alors que nous continuons à jouer un rôle de chef de file dans le milieu de la recherche porcine au Canada », a ajouté Daniel Ramage, directeur général de SIP. « Nous tenons également à remercier sincèrement Arno pour ses années de service au sein de notre organisation et à saluer ses efforts de stimulation de l’innovation au nom de la chaîne de valeur du porc. »

À propos de Swine Innovation Porc :

Swine Innovation Porc est engagé à stimuler l’innovation et le progrès dans l’industrie canadienne du porc. Grâce à la collaboration, au financement de la recherche et à la promotion du transfert des connaissances, SIP travaille à assurer le succès continu du secteur canadien du porc. Pour en savoir plus, visitez le site www.swineinnovationporc.ca.

Pour plus d’informations, veuillez contacter :

Cole Christensen
Directeur des communications et des relations avec les intervenants
Swine Innovation Porc
info@swineinnovationporc.ca
403-589-3529

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on August 11, 2025, 1:10pm

GGC Summer Tour to Bring Farmer Voices to the Forefront of Federal Policy

OTTAWA, August 11, 2025 – As policy pressures mount across the grain sector, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is touring the Prairies to hear directly from producers and bring their concerns directly to Members of Parliament and back to Ottawa.

From August 11 to 14, GGC Executive Director Kyle Larkin will be visiting grain farms across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, joined by local Members of Parliament. The GGC Summer Tour will spotlight the real-world impact of federal decisions on grain farming including trade uncertainty, the capital gains tax increase and decreasing research funding.

Larkin will be available for media interviews to highlight challenges facing grain producers and the policy changes needed to support their immediate and long-term success.

Who: Kyle Larkin, Executive Director, Grain Growers of Canada; Members of Parliament; Grain Growers of Canada members

What: Grain Growers of Canada Summer Tour – Crop tours and meetings with MPs

When and Where:

August 11 – Randolph, Man. and Cypress River, Man.
August 12 – Carievale, Sask. and Churchbridge, Sask.
August 13 – Davidson, Sask. and Daylesford, Sask.
August 14 – Killam, Alta. and Smoky Lake, Alta.

Why: With harvest approaching and policy and trade uncertainty continuing to disrupt the grain sector, GGC is working to bring the realities of grain farms directly to Ottawa. Ahead of the fall parliamentary session, the Summer Tour will connect GGC with producers and local MPs to ensure federal decision-makers understand the immediate pressures facing grain farmers and the long-term solutions needed to strengthen the sector.

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About Grain Growers of Canada (GGC):
As the national voice for Canada’s grain farmers, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) represents over 70,000 producers through our 14 national, provincial and regional grower groups. Our members steward 110 million acres of land to grow food for Canadians and for 160 countries around the world, creating $45 billion in export value annually. As the farmer-driven association for the grains sector, GGC champions federal policies that support the competitiveness and profitability of grain growers across Canada.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Hana Sabah
Communications Manager
Grain Growers of Canada
hana@graingrowers.ca | 514-834-8841

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on June 17, 2025, 9:00am

SIP Welcomes Alison Lee as Manager of Research Development

June 17, 2025 (Ottawa, Ontario) – Swine Innovation Porc (SIP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Alison Lee as Manager of Research Development, effective June 12, 2025.

“I am excited to join SIP and look forward to working collaboratively with all our partners to build on the Canadian pork sector’s strengths through research,” said Lee. “One of the main attractions of this role is the ability to work with SIP’s amazing partners in the industry, academia and government, including through Swine Cluster 4.”

In her role, Lee will serve as a key liaison between SIP and the Canadian pork research community. Prior to joining SIP, she worked as the Researcher and Livestock Program Developer for Conestoga Meats, where she co-ordinated and managed research projects relating to meat quality, new technology development and animal welfare.

Lee comes to SIP with a long history of collaboration in the pork industry. Her career has spanned the globe including experience in Hanau, Germany, as Research Manager in Swine Nutrition and Health for Evonik Operations GmbH. She also holds a PhD and B.Sc. from the University of Guelph, where her thesis investigated supplementation in sow diets and its effects on piglet health.

“I am pleased to welcome Alison to the team,” said SIP General Manager Daniel Ramage. “In her role and based on her experience, we are confident she will provide leadership in building national research partnerships with the Canadian pork research community.”

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About Swine Innovation Porc:

For more information, contact:

Cole Christensen
Manager of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Swine Innovation Porc
cchristensen@swineinnovationporc.ca
403-589-3529

SIP accueille Alison Lee en tant que directrice du développement de la recherche.

Le 17 juin 2025 (Ottawa, Ontario) – Swine Innovation Porc (SIP) a le plaisir d’annoncer la nomination d’Alison Lee au poste de directrice du développement de la recherche à compter du 12 juin 2025.

« Je suis ravie de me joindre à SIP et j’ai hâte de collaborer avec tous nos partenaires pour miser sur les forces du secteur porcin canadien grâce à la recherche », a déclaré Mme Lee. « L’un des principaux attraits de ce poste est la possibilité de travailler avec les formidables partenaires de SIP dans l’industrie, le milieu universitaire et le gouvernement, notamment par l’intermédiaire de la Grappe porcine 4. »

Avant de se joindre à SIP, elle occupait le poste de chercheuse et conceptrice de programmes pour les animaux d’élevage chez Conestoga Meats, où elle coordonnait et gérait des projets de recherche portant sur la qualité de la viande, le développement de nouvelles technologies et le bien-être animal.

Mme Lee arrive au sein de SIP forte d’une longue expérience de collaboration dans l’industrie porcine. Sa carrière s’est déroulée dans le monde entier, avec notamment une expérience à Hanau, en Allemagne, en tant que responsable de la recherche sur la nutrition et la santé des porcs pour Evonik Operations GmbH. Elle est également titulaire d’un doctorat et d’un baccalauréat ès sciences de l’Université de Guelph, où sa thèse portait sur la supplémentation dans l’alimentation des truies et ses effets sur la santé des porcelets.

« Je suis heureux d’accueillir Alison dans notre équipe », a déclaré Daniel Ramage, directeur général de SIP. « Dans le cadre de ses fonctions et compte tenu de son expérience, nous sommes convaincus qu’elle jouera un rôle de premier plan dans la mise en place de partenariats de recherche nationaux avec la communauté des chercheurs canadiens dans le domaine du porc. »

À propos de Swine Innovation Porc :

« Swine Innovation Porc (SIP) se consacre à l’innovation et au progrès dans l’industrie porcine canadienne. Par la collaboration, le financement de la recherche et la promotion du transfert des connaissances, SIP œuvre à assurer la réussite durable du secteur porcin canadien. » Pour en savoir plus, visitez swineinnovationporc.ca.

Pour plus d’informations, veuillez contacter :

Cole Christensen
Directeur des communications et des relations avec les intervenants
Swine Innovation Porc
cchristensen@swineinnovationporc.ca
403-589-3529

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on June 10, 2025, 9:00am

CWRC commits nearly $20 million to AAFC wheat breeding activities

June 10, 2025 (Carman, MB; Saskatoon, SK; Calgary, AB) – The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) has committed $19.9 million over the next three years to a core breeding agreement (CBA) with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) for the development of field-ready wheat varieties.

The new agreement will ensure Prairie farmers can continue to access high-quality wheat varieties and associated genetics from AAFC’s breeding programs for years to come.

“This agreement is about making sure Canadian wheat farmers continue to have access to top-quality varieties that perform in the real world,” said Dean Hubbard, CWRC chair and a farmer near Claresholm, AB. “By supporting AAFC’s breeding work, we are helping tackle some of the biggest challenges on the farm, like disease, pests and tough weather, while keeping our focus on the quality standards our customers count on.”

CWRC funding via the 2025-28 CBA will support the development of field-ready Canada Western Red Spring, Canada Western Amber Durum, Canada Prairie Spring Red, Canada Western Soft White Spring and Canada Western Red Winter wheat varieties that reduce business risk and enhance competitiveness for western Canadian farmers.

AAFC will aim to develop wheat varieties with strong resistance to diseases such as Fusarium head blight, rusts and leaf spotting diseases, as well as insect pests such as orange wheat blossom midge and wheat stem sawfly. AAFC will also prioritize new varieties that can withstand adverse environmental conditions such as heat and drought stress. Strict quality standards will ensure all new varieties address market needs.

“Researchers with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada have been breeding wheat for 100 years, supporting Canadian farmers in maintaining their global reputation for producing a premium product,” said the Honourable Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This investment will ensure our farmers have wheat varieties that can better overcome disease and weather challenges, and maintain Canada’s competitive advantage in cereal production.”

CWRC investment through the new CBA is divided among the organization’s founding members by a funding shares agreement. The CWRC also maintains CBAs with the University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Centre, the University of Manitoba and the University of Alberta.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Cole Christensen
Communications Manager
Manitoba Crop Alliance
403-589-3529
cole@mbcropalliance.ca

Andrea Lauder
Communications Manager
Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission
306-653-7967
andrea.lauder@saskwheat.ca

Harley Groeneveld
Senior Manager, Communications and Marketing
Alberta Grains
403-371-2132
hgroeneveld@albertagrains.com

About the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition:
The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) is a collaboration between Manitoba Crop Alliance, the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission and Alberta Grains aimed at improving the net relative profitability of wheat for western Canadian farmers. The CWRC facilitates a collaborative approach to producer funding of regional and national research projects in variety development and agronomy.

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on January 28, 2025, 9:00am

CWRC commits $11.8 million to USask Crop Development Centre

Jan. 28, 2025 (Carman, MB; Saskatoon, SK; Calgary, AB) – The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) has committed $11.8 million over the next five years to a core breeding agreement (CBA) with the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Crop Development Centre (CDC).

The new agreement ensures continued CWRC funding for the CDC’s industry-leading wheat breeding programs, as the previous CBA concluded at the end of 2024.

“This renewed investment by the CWRC will directly benefit western Canadian farmers by supporting the development of wheat varieties with improved yields, stronger disease resistance and better adaptation to our growing conditions,” said Dean Hubbard, CWRC chair and a farmer near Claresholm, AB.

“Farmer-funded breeding programs like this ensure that producers have access to innovative, high-performing varieties that are in demand and help make their farms more productive and sustainable.”

CWRC funding via the 2025-29 CBA will support the CDC’s development of new Canadian Western Red Spring (CWRS), Canada Northern Hard Red (CNHR), Canadian Western Amber Durum (CWAD) and Canadian Prairie Spring Red (CPSR) wheat cultivars with strong agronomics and improved resistance to common diseases such as the wheat rusts, common bunt and Fusarium Head Blight. This funding will also support the application of genomic assisted selection across all wheat breeding programs at the CDC, a technology that is used in part to “stack” genes for disease resistance, pest resistance and end-use quality in new varieties.

“We have had a tremendously successful partnership with the CWRC and we are grateful for their continued support,” said Dr. Curtis Pozniak, CDC director and wheat breeder. “The continued investment from the CWRC will help support the CDC’s mission to deliver high-yielding and reliable wheat varieties for western Canadian farmers.”

The new agreement represents a more than $2-million increase in funding compared with the previous five-year agreement. CWRC investment through the new CBA is divided among the organization’s founding members by a funding shares agreement.

“Over its history, innovations from USask’s CDC have significantly helped producers by enhancing the value of their operations,” said Baljit Singh, vice-president research at USask. “The CWRC’s investment will allow the CDC to continue to make positive impact in Canada’s agriculture sector and around the world.”

The CWRC also maintains CBAs with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the University of Manitoba and the University of Alberta.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Cole Christensen
Communications Manager
Manitoba Crop Alliance
403-589-3529
cole@mbcropalliance.ca

Andrea Lauder
Communications Manager
Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission
306-653-7967
andrea.lauder@saskwheat.ca

Harley Groenveld
Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist
Alberta Grains
403-371-2132
hgroenveld@albertagrains.com

Marissa Janssen
Manager, Crop Development Centre
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-4999
marissa.janssen@usask.ca