WHJ-Winter2012

Industry Viewpoint
By Bernie Peet
Over the last few years, the Industry Crisis column has looked at what has been going on in the
Canadian industry as our producers have battled a series of unprecedented challenges which has seen
the industry reduce in size by nearly a quarter. WHJ Editor Bernie Peet continues to review industry
events and trends that will shape the industry in future, both in North America and around the world.
He will comment on industry developments and how they impact Canadian producers, providing his
unique perspective and personal viewpoint on the important issues.
14 | Western Hog Journal | Winter 2012
Cautious optimism
but no expansion
Despite the fact that 2011 was the best year
for Canadian hog producers since 2006,
there are few signs of any expansion in the
national herd, with the October 1 census
showing sow and gilt numbers almost
identical to the same month in 2010 and
total hog numbers up by just 1% to 12
million. The September US Hogs and Pigs
Report showed a similar picture, with both
breeding pigs and total pig numbers up a
mere 1% year on year. High feed prices and
caution following four years of losses seems
to have stifled any appetite for growth.
Most of the increase in hog numbers
was due to a 9.1% increase shown by
Saskatchewan, from 770,000 to 840,000
head. This was accompanied by an
additional 5,000 sows, representing a
5.3% increase and indicating that some
empty barns have come back into use.
Saskatchewan saw total pig numbers drop
by 38.9% and sow numbers by nearly
29% in the five years to October 2011.
Mysteriously, BC also showed an increase
of 10,000 pigs over the year, although sow
numbers barely moved, up 1% to 9,300.
“The total number of
hog farms in Canada has
reduced by 39.7% in the
five year period”
This goes against the five year trend,
which has seen total numbers down by
34% and sow numbers down by 48%. In
Manitoba, although total numbers remained