The AgriPost
September 29, 2023
2023 Harvest in Manitoba Continues Ahead of Schedule African Swine Fever Rocks the Swedish Pork Industry
Ron Krahn was harvesting wheat on August 28.
By Harry Siemens Dennis Lange, a pulse and soybean specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, expects soybean and canola harvests to accelerate with favourable weather conditions. Lange said harvest progress in Manitoba currently stands at about 75 per cent complete across the province. Harvest activities continued depending on the localized rain events in various cereal crops, with barley at 95 per cent, oats at 95 per cent, and spring wheat at 93 per cent completion. Overall, cereal crop conditions range
from fair to mostly good. Regarding corn, many fields have reached growth stage R6 and are in the drying-down phase. Canola harvest is ongoing, with approximately 55% of acres harvested across the province. Soybean fields are primarily in growth stages R7 to R8, with provincial harvest progress at 21%. Producers should regularly inspect their fields for weed infestations that may have escaped control measures, a crucial aspect of integrated pest management. Waterhemp, for instance, has been identified in
Submitted photo
the central and eastern regions, emphasizing the importance of promptly identifying and managing unusual pigweeds. In oilseeds, canola harvest continues, with around 55 per cent of provincial acres harvested and 75 per cent completed in the Central region—the overall condition of the canola crop ranges from fair to mostly good. Sunflower fields are transitioning to growth stage R9, with the crop generally in good to excellent condition. Flax crop growth stages vary, with some fields at late stage
11 (brown capsule) to stage 12 (seed ripe). Flax harvest in the central region is approximately 40% complete, with the crop’s condition rated as fair to mostly good. In the pulses and soybeans category, soybean fields are predominantly in growth stages R7 to R8, with harvest progress at 25 to 30 per cent provincially. Soybean yields have shown variability, ranging from 20 to 40-plus bu/acre, depending on summer rainfall. Overall, the condition of the soybean crop remains good. Continued on page 2...
By Harry Siemens International trade in pork continues to face disruptions as several countries block imports of Swedish pork due to a recent outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in wild boars in Sweden. Even though the disease has only been detected in wild boars and poses no danger to humans, Armenia, Australia, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Ukraine have all suspended Swedish pork imports. The Swedish Meat Industry Association expressed frustration, emphasizing that this action seems unreasonable, given that the meat is safe. The ASF virus is highly contagious and fatal for pigs and their wild relatives, which makes any outbreak potentially devastating for the pork industry. The recent outbreak in Sweden, with seven cases found in wild boars since September 6, has led to immediate measures, including blocking public access to forest and wildlife areas in a significant zone around the affected area. World-renowned veterinarian consultant Dr. John Carr points out the severity of the situation, stating that it can potentially destroy Sweden’s pig industry. He raises concerns about the disease introduction, considering Sweden’s biosecurity measures and the possibility of deliberate introduction. One point of contention in the report is the reference to a 2018 outbreak in China, the world’s largest pork producer, where China slaughtered millions of pigs to curb the spread of ASF. Dr. Carr said that ASF continues to spread and cause chaos in China. Additionally, Ukraine, which experienced an ASF outbreak over a decade ago, is currently grappling with catastrophic ASF outbreaks. The report underscores the gravity of ASF outbreaks and their immediate impact on global pork trade as countries respond by suspending imports to prevent the spread of the disease. “The ASF is raging in Ukraine right now. It’s a disaster, commented a Ukraine Vet friend of mine!” said Dr. Carr. “They want me to do additional biosecurity training.”