To support new and existing pork producers respond to the growing market demand for locally produced meat, a pork production workshop will be held on November 13th at the Lions’ Hall in Invermere. The event will bring together industry professionals to inspire new producers to ‘get in the game’ and new information for existing producers to increase production and efficiencies.

Swine Veterinarian, Kelsey Dr. Kelsey Gray with Prairie Swine Health Services in Calgary, will provide her expertise on how to grow a pig efficiently and effectively including animal health, nutrition, husbandry, and housing. Kevin Murphy, Regional Agrologist with the Ministry of Agriculture, will speak to regulatory systems such as the traceability system administered by the Canadian Pork Council as well as how to register a livestock premises in the BC Premises ID program, and why.

“There exists tremendous opportunity in the Kootenays for local meat production,” says Hedi Trescher of the Windermere and District Farmers’ Institute. “Locally produced bacon, pork chops and ham are increasingly being sought after by consumer conscious citizens who want to know where their food comes. Our Provincially licenced state of the art abattoir in Invermere gives producers a facility to slaughter their meat that can be sold to the public, restaurants and grocery stores.”

The event is free and will be held on Tuesday, November 13th from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at the Lion’s Hall in Invermere. Registration is online at www.kbfa.ca/events or call 778-771-5851.

The event is being coordinated by the Kootenay and Boundary Farm Advisors (KBFA) and the Windermere and District Farmers Institute. KBFA is a new agricultural program that provides producers with free one-on-one technical production support and education. For more information visit: www.kbfa.ca.