Swine Transportation and Handling Program

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry Siemens

In its first year of delivery, enrollment in the Assiniboine Community College’s Swine Transportation and Handling program in Brandon, Manitoba has topped 200. The College launched the program about one year ago and so far, over 200 drivers have completed the training. The course has two components, the National Pork Board’s Trucker Quality Assurance program in the United States and a Canadian component developed by the ACC.

International

He’s An American Hero

Chuck Zimmerman

Iraq StoryHere’s the lastest story from Paul McKellips, US Department of State, Public Affairs GO Team on assignment in Iraq. In this one he talks about investment banker Greg Amira who was an vice president for Morgan-Stanley in New York City. He was also an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves. On the morning of September 11, 2001 he was working on the 73rd floor of World Trade Center Two when the first plane crashed into the number one tower.

Audio, International

Why I Post Paul’s Reports

Chuck Zimmerman

Paul McKellipsYou may wonder why I post stories from Paul McKellips. He’s the guy in Iraq reporting on agriculture and most importantly in my mind, the positive things our soldiers are doing that are changing people’s lives while helping protect us. Well, Paul has volunteered for a whole year in Iraq next year so I’m looking forward to a lot more to come.

He just sent out a letter to those of us who are using his reports and I’m going to share a few excerpts with you. Here’s why he’s doing it:

International

World Food Day 2006

Chuck Zimmerman

World Food Day PosterI almost let World Food Day go by without a post about it. Almost. Today is World Food Day which is celebrated by countries all over the world. The FAO holds a ceremony at its headquarters in Rome. The current FAO Director-General addressed the ceremony today along with other dignitaries.

International

Thanksgiving with a difference

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry Siemens(Editor’s Note: I was supposed to post this on Monday – Sorry Harry)

Thanksgiving Day in Canada, Monday, Oct. 9 is a time to celebrate. For most producers, the last two years have been tough. For some, it goes back even further than that, but with this year’s crops, for the most part, bursting grain bins at the seams, it’s time to sit back and celebrate. Yes, I know the people raising hogs are having their struggles, too, but you want to know something, keep on trucking.

International

Senator Frist in Iraq

Chuck Zimmerman

Senator Bill FristHere’s the lastest story from Paul McKellips, US Department of State, Public Affairs GO Team on assignment in Iraq. In this one he speaks with U.S. Senator Bill Frist on his first visit to Iraq where he toured a prosthetics lab, the sprawling “tent city” field hospital at the Balad Air Base, and met with President Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government.

Audio, International

Iraq Meat Markets

Chuck Zimmerman

Iraq Meat MarketHere’s the lastest story from Paul McKellips, US Department of State, Public Affairs GO Team on assignment in Iraq. I really appreciate what he’s doing and the look at agriculture in a country like Iraq. This time he visits a meat market.

Audio, International

Vaccines Winning the War

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry SiemensThe introduction of two new vaccines has helped turn the tide in the battle in Canada to contain a potentially deadly condition that’s taken a huge toll on swineherds around the world.

Porcine Circovirus Associated Disease (PCVAD), previously called Post-weaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS), is a viral disease that typically affects young pigs, weanlings, from eight to 16 weeks of age. However, symptoms tend to manifest themselves in the grower phase and the disease is often fatal. The disease, first characterized in western Canada in 1995 became widespread worldwide since then.

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