Canadian Government Invests in EPI Project to Improve Air Quality in Manitoba Swine Barns

The government of Canada recently announced in a press release dated May 23, 2012, that an investment of over $200,000 has been made that will help Manitoba pork producers.  The investment, made by the government of Canada, will be able to improve the health of hog herds and boost the bottom lines for those in the hog industry.

The investment is in two projects and is in support of the Manitoba Pork Council. Member of Parliament Merv Tweed (Brandon–Souris), on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz stated in the press release,  “Our government is committed to the long-term viability of the hog industry in Manitoba and supports measures that will keep it profitable.” He goes on, “This investment will help improve animal health in the sector and grow long-term economic prosperity for our hog producers.”

The main project they are investing in with over $150,000 is to help improve the air quality of swine barns. They will be testing the effectiveness of an electrostatic space charge system (ESCS), which is also commonly known as electrostatic particle ionization (EPI).  ESCS/EPI can reduce and prevent the airborne transmission of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).  PRRS is a highly infectious and deadly virus in swine that is reported to cost the Canadian industry an estimated $130 million per year.

The second investment will be used to perform a comparative study of cropping systems to promote the use of swine manure on Manitoba farms, with the hopes of identifying sustainable land management practices and lessen environmental impact.

Karl Kynoch, Chair of the Manitoba Pork Council stated, “As well, we are always looking for ways of improving air quality in barns and to find better disease prevention techniques. We also need to meet the provincial government’s regulatory process, and we believe these research projects can assist us in these goals.”

These projects are being funded by the Canadian Agricultural Adaption Program (CAAP).  The regional component of CAAP in Manitoba is the Canadian Agricultural Adaption Program(MRAC).

Read the full Press Release “Government of Canada Supports Manitoba Hog Industry”