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Topigs Insider: Producer Profile – Maple Grove Colony

Maple Grove Colony, established in 1981, is located in southwestern Manitoba and has a population of over 125 people. Like most Hutterite colonies, it has a diverse range of operations, farming 4,000 acres, managing 8,000 laying chickens, and running a 1,200-sow farrow-wean pig production unit.

The colony’s hog barn was originally built in 1984 as a 300-sow farrow-to-finish unit, later upgraded in 1998 to a 1,200-sow farrow-to-wean facility. In 2009-10, the original herd was depopulated and repopulated with GAP genetics. Since 2016, they have used Topigs Norsvin genetics, primarily TN70 gilts and TN Duroc sires, producing excellent offspring.

Currently, Maple Grove Colony has a farrowing rate of 91.3% and weans 12.76 piglets per litter, resulting in 31.21 pigs weaned per mated female per year. The colony’s production team is led by Michael David Waldner, with key team members Travis Waldner and Adam Waldner contributing significantly to the barn’s success.

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World Without Cows - Official Trailer

Video: World Without Cows - Official Trailer


In World Without Cows, journalists Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth take viewers on a global journey to explore the essential role of cattle in agriculture, food systems, and rural economies. Through interviews with farmers, ranchers, and environmental scientists, the documentary challenges the growing wave of misinformation surrounding cattle and climate change.

Prompted by the rise of unscientific narratives that paint livestock in a negative light, Michael and Whitworth set out to tell a more balanced story—one rooted in evidence and lived experience. The film highlights the cultural significance of cows, their contribution to global nutrition, and the innovations within the industry aimed at reducing environmental impact.

World Without Cows is a compelling reminder of the complexity and importance of livestock in a sustainable future.