New award recognizes province's best hog drivers

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

The care and handling of animals beyond the farm gate is left in the hands of the transporter, who can significantly affect the health of the animals in their care. That’s why the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board (Sask Pork) and the Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan (FACS) are teaming up to hand out the first ever Award of Distinction for Hog Transportation Handling.

“The transportation process is very stressful for livestock, and the truckers’ approach to animal handling makes all the difference,” says Harvey Wagner, Producer Services Manager with Sask Pork.

With consumers increasingly wanting assurance that the food they purchase and consume was raised and cared for in a humane manner, it is important that every step in the production process remains careful and connected. Truckers and transporters are a vital part of that link, since losses from inadequate care or handling can cost the industry millions of dollars each year.

The selection process for the award is dependent on nominees meeting the following criteria: the forms must meet the deadline; the nominee must have completed the pork industry Trucker Quality Assurance (TQA) program; and the nominee must be seen to be doing an exceptional job of transporting live hogs.

“It’s a seal of approval,” says Wagner. “People like to be recognized for doing a good job, and it’s time we gave out recognition for the transportation side.”

Nominations can come from people in all the stages of the pork production chain: producers, employees of producers or processors, receivers like plants or assembly yards and companies all deal with hog truckers and could know someone deserving of recognition.

“The trucker is an important part in the process for reducing stress on animals, and, as we do with everything, we ask that they keep the animals in mind. We want to single out the best of the best,” says Wagner.

Those who think they have a suitable candidate for the award can visit the Sask Pork (www.saskpork.com) or FACS (www.facs.sk.ca/welfare_awards) websites to download an electronic nomination form, or contact the FACS office at (306) 244-7752 to make a nomination by phone. Wagner says they have already received a number of nominations, but since this is the first year for the award, “we’re looking for more.”

If you know a transporter who is deserving of the Award of Distinction for Hog Transportation Handling, hurry: the nomination deadline is Wednesday, November 15, 2006. The award will be presented on December 12, 2006 at the annual general meeting of FACS in Saskatoon.

For more information, contact:
Harvey Wagner, Producer Services Manager
Saskatchewan Pork Development Board
Phone: (306) 244-7752
Website: www.saskpork.com

Adele Buettner, Executive Director
Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 249-3227
Website: www.facs.sk.ca