The IBV outbreak in Canada in 2016 and 2017 first affected layers, whereas it affected broilers first in the U.S. (Photo courtesy Poultry Industry Council)

Greig: Why IBV is such a tough bug

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) continues to find ways to keep itself relevant to poultry farmers, researchers and veterinarians across North America — much to their dismay. Why it matters: Despite lots of research and efforts to find ways to manage it, the virus continues to mutate and show up in flocks with different symptoms in […] Read more

Silos and trees cast long shadows in fog at sunrise, scenic rural landscape, aerial view.

Biosecurity prompts concerns about municipal officer change

Across the province changes are allowing more municipal employees on properties to enforce standard bylaws

Farmers in the Township of Perth East raised the alarm earlier this month about a move by municipalities across Ontario to make more specific the details about enforcing property standards bylaws. “Some of the stuff in these bylaws just doesn’t make sense,” said Perth County Federation of Agriculture (PCFA) President Bob Martin. “It’s a bylaw […] Read more

(Gloria Solano-Aguilar photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

New Manitoba PED case pushes envelope

Southeastern Manitoba’s latest on-farm cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) include one outside the buffer zones in which earlier cases have been found. According to Manitoba Pork, the province’s chief veterinary officer (CVO) on Wednesday confirmed positive tests for PED on a hog nursery operation outside an existing five-kilometre buffer zone. That case — along […] Read more

(Scott Bauer photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

PED cases fan out in southeastern Manitoba

Three more farms in southeastern Manitoba have been confirmed with cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) — all of them outside the buffer area in which six previous infected sites were confirmed earlier this month. Two farms, a sow operation and a finisher operation “linked by live pig movements,” were confirmed with PED Friday, followed […] Read more

(Keith Weller photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Regional-level biosecurity urged against PED in Manitoba

Producers in southeastern Manitoba’s “hog alley” are being urged to keep animal movements to a minimum and limit contact with hog operations in an area that’s seen five on-farm cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) this month. The province’s chief veterinary officer on Thursday confirmed positive test results for PED at a sow operation in […] Read more


(Scott Bauer photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Manitoba confirms fourth PED case of year

Another finisher barn in southeastern Manitoba has tested positive for porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) in the province’s fourth on-farm case of the disease this year. Manitoba Pork Council general manager Andrew Dickson said barn staff noticed symptoms Sunday. Tests were taken the following day with results confirmed Tuesday. “That doesn’t mean every pig in the […] Read more

(Scott Bauer photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

More PED cases turn up in southeastern Manitoba

A hog finisher operation and a sow operation in Manitoba’s southeastern “hog alley” have been confirmed with cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), both within close range of the province’s first case in over seven months. According to Manitoba Pork, the province’s chief veterinary officer on Monday confirmed positive test results for PED at a […] Read more

(Keith Weller photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Response seen curbing PED spread from Manitoba case

The “quite early” catch and quick response for Canada’s latest outbreak of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), in a sow barn in Manitoba’s “hog alley,” are expected to keep a lid on the virus’ spread beyond the one site. The province’s chief veterinary officer (CVO) on Tuesday confirmed PED-positive tests at the southeastern Manitoba farm, and […] Read more


In this photo of a wilt-affected plant’s stem at harvest, black microsclerotia can be seen just below the surface layer. (Gov.mb.ca/agriculture)

No point in quarantine for verticillium wilt, CFIA says

Slapping federal quarantines on canola fields with verticillium wilt wouldn’t serve much purpose, since the yield-robbing fungi is already in all of Canada’s major canola-growing areas, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says. While the agency itself is recommending against regulation, CFIA on Wednesday posted a draft of a risk management document on verticillium wilt, seeking […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feedlots sought to take in TB-quarantined cattle

Prairie cattle producers whose herds are stuck under federal quarantine while officials trace out cases of bovine tuberculosis (TB) could soon have a option to house animals at an approved feedlot. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Friday said it is working with beef cattle industry representatives to find one or more feedlots where it […] Read more