August 2020 Newsletter

We are over halfway through our 2020 season and things are in full swing. 

Some important key dates:

• Poultry Bookings – There is still some room on Sept 1st but otherwise days are full to the end of October.  Now taking bookings for Nov 10, Nov 24 and for turkeys on December 18.
• Red Meat Bookings – All days are full in l Aug, Sept and October and filling up fast in November.  Book now if you want to bring animals in before Christmas. Don’t wait until the last minute. ..

Latest news:

New Cutting Instructions

We have new cutting instruction sheets which we would like you to use. Please make sure the completed form/s are provided to Marilou when you bring in your animals. You will see there have been some adjustments to pricing to reflect the additional time needed for carcass deboning and grinding. 

• Cutting-Instructions-for-Beef.pdf
• Cutting-Instructions-for-Pork.pdf
• Cutting-Instructions-for-Lamb-Sheep-Goats.pdf

PigTRACE

It now a requirement for pigs to have official ear tags or other means of ID when they arrive at the abattoir.  The purpose is to be able to trace and contain outbreaks of disease (similar to COVID contact tracing). It applies to small scale meat production as well as large pig barns.

This is what you need to know if you raise pigs:

• You must be registered with PigTRACE
• Farms must have a Premises Identification Number (PID) before registering for PigTrace. If you don’t already have one contact a Premises ID Program Representative at the BC Ministry of Agriculture by phone (1-888-221- 7141) or email (BCPID@gov.bc.ca), or visit their website at: www.gov.bc.ca/premisesidprogram
• More information about PigTRACE can be found here: https://www.cpc-ccp.com/pigtrace-for-small-scale-pig-producers
• Pigs going to slaughter must have either a:
  • 5-digit herd mark number applied to the pig’s shoulder or back using commercial tattooing equipment OR non-toxic livestock spray paint and homemade stencil, or
  • 5-digit PigTRACE Herd Mark ear tag, or
  • 15-digit PigTRACE Individual ID ear tag (large or small tag)
  • The 15-digit PigTRACE Individual ID ear tag must be used if sows or boars move from one farm to another farm
• Ear tags can be purchased by calling 1-866 -300-1835

 Check out this new resource for small scale pork producers: http://www.bcpork.ca/small-lot-pork-producers/manual/