Alberta Pork AGM 2024

Dec 02, 2024

We had another productive and inciteful day at our Alberta Pork Annual General Meeting in Calgary with inciteful industry updates, announcements and presentations.

Thank you to all our speakers: Stephen Heckbert who presented a Canadian Pork Council Update, Todd Thurman for his presentation on Global Hog Industry Demographics and Brett Stuart for providing a Global Pork and Agriculture Market update.

We would also like to give a special thanks to the Honourable RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation who sent his virtual greetings and a sector update to our producers and industry partners.

Thank you to everyone who attended!

Alberta Pork’s Annual Report for 2024 is now available - It includes industry and advocacy updates, a year in review and looking ahead to our strategic plan.

Click here to see more...

Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.