Western Canadian Farmers Struggle with Federal Trade Policies

Mar 17, 2025

Western Canadian farmers are facing increasing frustration with federal trade policies that they say favor Eastern Canada, leaving them exposed to economic hardship. Many producers argue that policies designed to protect industries in the East, such as dairy and poultry supply management, limit opportunities for growth and expansion in the West.

The impact of these policies is felt across multiple sectors, from grain to livestock. Pork producers in particular have faced challenges due to restricted access to certain markets and increased costs driven by federal regulations. Additionally, Western farmers have endured ongoing issues with rail transportation bottlenecks, making it difficult to move their products efficiently while Eastern-based industries benefit from more developed infrastructure and federal support.

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Video: PRRS Eradication Strategies - Dr. DeBuse and Dr. Tousignant

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show, Dr. Neil DeBuse from Kalmbach Feeds and Dr. Steve Tousignant from Vaxxinova US discuss PRRS management strategies, recombination risks, whole genome sequencing, and the role of autogenous immunization programs in swine systems. They highlight practical approaches to improving immunity, reducing outbreaks, and advancing PRRS control across production systems. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Being PRRS negative sooner is a real key for eradication because every additional positive week increases production losses and viral exposure risks." - Dr. Neil DeBuse

Meet the guest: Dr. Neil DeBuse is a veterinarian at Kalmbach Feeds with more than 30 years of experience in swine health and production. His work focuses on PRRS control, biosecurity, immunity, and improving production stability across commercial swine systems in the United States and internationally.

Dr. Steve Tousignant is Director of the Swine Business Unit and Technical Services Veterinarian at Vaxxinova US, with a DVM and PhD from the University of Minnesota. His experience combines epidemiology, technical services, and practical immunization strategies designed to support consistent herd performance and long-term production stability. Don’t miss the chance to be part of the Swine Inner Circle!