Canadian Sow Culling Program Begins

April 14, 2008 — 

A 50 million dollar program designed to help Canadian pork producers reduce the size of their breeding herds officially kicks off April 14, 2008.

Under the new Federal Cull Breeding Swine Program pork producers who agree to empty at least one barn of breeding stock for a minimum of three years are eligible to receive 225 dollars per culled sow, bred gilt or boar.

The target is a ten percent reduction in Canada's breeding herd, currently at 1.5 million sows, to help reduce an over supply of hogs and improve prices and allow producers an opportunity to exit the industry.

To be accepted into the program, producers have to apply. The program is retroactive and will cover culled breeding stock marketed since November 1, 2007. Eligible animals may not be marketed through the normal commercial human food chain.

Application forms are available through the Canadian Pork Council (CPC) or the provincial pork organizations.

Further information is available through the CPC web site or by calling 1-877-655-2567.