Hello and welcome to the Q3 ’25 edition!

The seed is in the ground, the weather has more or less cooperated in many parts of western Canada, Montana and the US corn belt, and it appears the cost of feeding animals is on the way down.

It was a busy quarter at WAGS, holding workshops across the various territories we operate in; focused on egg shell quality for laying hens, research updated on swine nutrition and management, and ventilation for hog barns.

We were lucky enough to be able to include various guest stars in the presentations. These included Dr. Fernando Cisneros – egg shell quality expert from our Eastern Canadian operation, Dr. Jose Luis Landero – a nutritionist who has a great deal of experience in assessing ventilation in barns and Kase Van Ittersum, a ventilation expert from Agrihub. It was wonderful to see such a great turnout and great interaction throughout the workshops. A lot of learning went on in the room and we hope you appreciated it as much as we did!

Speaking of nutritionists, we are pleased to announce the addition of Santosh Lamichhane who joined our poultry nutrition team in May. Santosh has a MSc from the University of Saskatchewan. Beyond a strong knowledge of poultry management and nutrition, Santosh has a background in feed manufacturing technologies. We are pleased to have him join the WAGS poultry nutrition team to support a growing number of poultry producers customers.

Other notable events were the Montana Livestock Expo and Red Deer Pork Congress in May and June. As always, well organized events that provided a great opportunity to visit with customers in the area. Thanks to many of you for stopping by our booths. We will get further into it during the market section of this newsletter, but given falling feed prices and strong livestock prices, morale was generally up and there was even talk of expansion of operations!

As always, thank you for your business and we hope you enjoy the articles.

The input side of the livestock production equation has generally seen a downward trend over the past quarter. A combination of timely moisture in many growing regions of Western Canada, a large planted corn acres and good weather outlook in the US corn belt, and strong production in South America has pushed futures down. We have seen prices picked up Southern Alberta elevators at $275-282 over the past few weeks (approx. $287-294 delivered). Similar offers have been seen in the Swift Current area.

Funds have taken a significant short position on corn which has helped to pull futures prices down. While there is always a risk of a turn around with a short covering event, generally this indicates a lot of folks are expecting prices to continue to react downwards as the large crop gets harvested in Sept/Oct. It should be noted that some short covering occurred near the end of last week which led to a slight increase in corn but the futures have once again backed off.

Wheat and barley have dropped over the past month, in part pushed down by falling corn prices as the 3 grains compete for space in western Canadian livestock rations. Red wheat has fallen from close to $330 delivered to prices closer to $305 delivered locations in southern and central Alberta. At the same time, barley has dropped to $270-275 delivered Red Deer and $285-290 Lethbridge. Shave $5-10 off those prices to get to new crop offers. Swift Current area has seen similar feed wheat prices to Lethbridge.

Proteins have seen significant declines. Soybean meal has dropped with bearish news on soybean production and carryout globally. Values have dropped below $500 CAD/T to prices of closer to $465-470 picked up ($480-485 delivered) in southern and central Alberta, and in Swift Current area. DDGS have seen a similar downward trend with ethanol production running hard. Prices have fallen to $305 delivered Southern Alberta and $320 delivered Central Alberta.

Adding to the bearish protein trend, canola meal continues to be pressured downwards by falling soymeal prices and reduced demand with Chinese tariffs persisting. Conventional canola meal has recently traded in a range of $265-275 delivered central and southern Alberta.

On the micro ingredients side, we have generally seen downward movement as well. Lysine and threonine have been on a well documented decline while vitamins A, D, and E have generally been weakening of late.

While all hog barn situations are different, the above movements have led to feed costs in Alberta ranging from $135-145/pig of late based on current spot market ingredient prices. With sustained high hog revenues, this yields a very strong margin given that some producers have seen over $300/pig revenue in cases over the past month. No doubt some good profit for producers!

The approach of formulating poultry diets using digestible amino acids, rather than total amino acid values enhance nutrient utilization, supports optimal performance, and reduces environmental nitrogen pollution. Not all the protein fed to birds is absorbed by the flock but a big chunk of it passes straight through the gut and ends up in the litter. Bioavailable amino acid-focused nutrition also helps to reduce feed costs, allows use of diverse feed ingredients and alternatives.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are vital for growth, maintenance, egg production, muscle growth and immune functions. A significant portion of amino acids from dietary protein is not digested and absorbed in the intestine. Historically, diets were designed based on total amino acids content assuming all amino acids in feed were equally available. But, due to the inherent property of feed ingredients, quality, processing and presence of anti nutritional compounds, the digestibility of protein is inconsistent between the ingredients. The smarter approach of formulating diets based on digestible amino acids accounts for the proportion of amino acids that are available for birds to absorb for metabolism.


Digestibility concepts in Poultry nutrition
Digestibility refers to the proportion of the ingested nutrients that are absorbed and utilized by the animal and thus can be used for growth, maintenance and production. In poultry, digestibility of amino acids is assessed at the ileum, the last portion of the small intestine. This method is used to avoid the interference of microbial fermentation in the large intestine which alters nutrient profiles. The ileal digestibility provides a more accurate measurement of the amino acids than total tract digestibility (Ravindran et al, 1999).

Ileal digestibility measurements in poultry
1. Apparent Ileal Digestibility (AID)- It measures the difference between the amino acids ingested and those recovered at the ileum. This measurement includes endogenous amino acid losses such as digestive enzymes, sloughed epithelial cells, and mucus.

2. Standardized Ileal Digestibility (SID)- It takes account of the endogenous amino acid losses and provides a more accurate measurement of the digestibility. It is the most common and practical to apply in commercial feed formulation systems (Stein et al, 2007)

3. True Ileal Digestibility (TID)-It corrects for both basal and diet specific endogenous losses. It is very challenging to measure and not commonly used for formulation.

t Benefits of using digestible amino acids in diet formulation
1. Improved Growth performance and feed efficiency. Poultry require optimal levels of key amino acids like lysine, methionine and threonine for muscle development, egg production, reproductive health and immune function. Both over and under supply of these amino acids can affect performance and can result in protein waste. If diets are formulated using digestible amino acid values, it can be ensured that birds receive the exact amount of amino acids needed for growth, which results in better body weight gain and reduced feed costs. A study conducted by Basavanta Kumar et al. (2016) showed that the diets formulated with digestible amino acids significantly improved body weight gain in broilers fed on digestible amino acids. Similarly, studies conducted by Dari et al., 2005 and Douglas and Parson, 1999 demonstrated superior growth and feed efficiency in broiler chickens with diets formulated with digestible amino acids.

2. Reduced feed cost. Diets formulated with SID amino acids reduces the requirement for protein overages; usually diets are designed to meet or exceed the nutrient requirements. This gives nutritionists flexibility to substitute expensive protein sources with alternatives, which ultimately reduces the cost of the feed (Lemme et al., 2004) Moreover, using synthetic amino acids like DL-methionine or L-Lysine becomes more economically justifiable, as their digestibility is nearly 100%, allowing their exact contributions to be fully utilized. These digestible synthetic amino acids are often cheaper per unit of digestible amino acid compared to natural sources. This formulation enables precise substitution of expensive proteins with these synthetic amino acids without risking deficiency.

3. Reduced Nitrogen waste. Diets are usually formulated to meet or exceed the nutrient requirements, and it is common practice to use extra protein as safety margin. However, high protein diets lead to high nitrogen excretion in manure, contributing to environmental issues like ammonia emissions. Excessive ammonia can also have a negative impact on poultry health and performance. Studies from Ferguson et al., 1998 and Dourmad and Jondreville, 2007 demonstrated that SID-based formulation significantly reduces nitrogen excretion compared to total amino acid formulations.

4. Consistency in feed formulation. Another key benefit of using digestible amino acids in feed formulation is the ability to have consistency across a wide variety of feed ingredients. Digestibility of amino acids varies significantly among ingredients due to variation in nutrient composition, processing methods and presence of anti-nutritional factors. As an example, amino acids in soybean meal have higher digestibility than canola meal or DDGS. Anti-nutritional elements like tannins, gossypol or glucosinolates can have negative effects on amino acid absorption. When relying on total amino acids, it is very challenging to ensure consistency in nutrient contents of feed. Standardized ileal digestibility (SID) values offer a more accurate measure of amino acids by accounting for natural digestive losses, unlike total amino acid values. This allows nutritionists to compare ingredients more reliably and maintain consistent nutrient levels in the diet, even when using alternative or variable-quality protein sources. This results in more precise, cost-effective formulation without compromising bird performance.

Switching to standardized ileal digestible (SID) amino acid formulation offers a smarter, more precise way to feed poultry. Unlike total amino acid values, SID reflects what birds actually absorb, helping reduce crude protein levels, lower feed costs, and cut nitrogen waste, all without compromising performance.

In the past 50 years, genetic and management improvements have driven a 47% increase in piglets born alive per litter, with a striking 24% of that growth occurring in just the last decade (Bereskin et al., 1973; PigCHAMP 2024). The transition from gestation to lactation involves rapid physiological, hormonal, and metabolic changes, placing significant stress on sows (Theil et al., 2009). The transition period, which is typically defined as the final 10 days of gestation through the first 10 days of lactation, is crucial for successful farrowing, colostrum production, and early lactation performance. Despite its importance, this stage often receives less attention than other reproductive phases (Theil, 2015).


Improved nutrition during the transition period is especially critical due to increased metabolic stress and increased nutritional needs in modern hyper-prolific sows. Energy and amino acid requirements rise dramatically as sows prepare for farrowing and lactation (Feyera and Theil, 2017; Oliviero et al., 2010). If these demands are not adequately met, sows may experience prolonged farrowing times, higher stillbirth rates, compromised colostrum quality, and reduced piglet survival. During the transition period, the sow’s metabolism shifts from building reserves to releasing energy to support fetal growth, colostrum production, and lactation. The current practice is to provide lactation feed once the sows are moved to the crates. However, a drastic change from a low-density gestation to a high-density lactation diet causes udder issues. To address this, feed budget is reduced two days pre-farrow. It is recommended to provide a transition diet 4 to 7 days pre-farrow until 2 to 4 days post-farrow. A targeted transition diet reduces metabolic stress, boosts colostrum yield and quality, and enhances piglet survival (Koketsu et al., 1996).

Dietary fiber plays a crucial role in successful transition feeding. Gestation diets typically have higher fiber and lower energy and protein levels than lactation diets. Transition diets ideally offer intermediate fiber levels, bridging the gap between these two production stages. Moderate fiber inclusion during late gestation helps maintain gut health, reduce constipation, shorten farrowing duration, and decrease stillbirth rates (Feyera et al., 2017). For instance, feeding fiber-rich ingredients (~22% crude fiber) from day 102 of gestation until farrowing reduces stillbirth rates and enhances piglet viability. Higher-fiber diets support shorter farrowing durations, fewer farrowing complications, and better energy balance by improving gut motility, reducing constipation, and providing slow-release energy rate (Feyera et al., 2017).

Energy balance is another critical factor. Farrowing demands considerable energy for uterine contractions, fetal delivery, and colostrum production. Dietary energy consumed by sows typically becomes available within four to six hours after feeding, primarily fueling mammary gland function. Restricted feeding around farrowing often forces sows to mobilize body reserves, prolonging farrowing duration, reducing colostrum production, and increasing pre-weaning mortality rates. Allowing increased feed intake three to five days before farrowing significantly shortens labor duration and reduces stillbirth rates (Feyera et al., 2018).

Amino acid nutrition, particularly formulating diets on standardized ileal digestible (SID) amino acid basis, produces a better-defined performance target. SID lysine requirements spike nearly 150% in the final days of gestation, reaching approximately 35 g/day Feyera and Theil, 2017). Adequate lysine intake during the transition period enhances fetal growth, mammary development, and colostrum quality. First-litter gilts particularly benefit from higher lysine intake, which supports maternal protein reserves and improves piglet birth weights (Gourley et al., 2019; Trottier et al., 2014). Sows entering the farrowing facility commonly receive standard lactation diets, often leading to excessive crude protein (CP) intake. Excessive CP can negatively impact farrowing efficiency, colostrum production, and early lactation milk yield, frequently causing udder edema (Hu et al., 2023). Since milk production and protein requirements are initially low postpartum, careful dietary protein management during the transition period is critical.

Additional nutritional considerations for a successful transition phase:
• Use similar ingredients in gestation, transition and lactation diets to minimize stress due to diet change.
• Quality and quantity of fiber is important, i.e. percent soluble and insoluble fibers in the diet. Potthast (2025) recommends 10% soluble, and 15 to 20% insoluble fiber in the diets. Soluble fiber helps provide energy during labor. Sources of soluble fibres include dried/molassed beet pulp, soybean hulls or alfalfa. Insoluble fibres help reduce constipation. Sources include lignocellulose, wheat bran or oat hulls.
• Ensure the sow has free access to clean fresh water.

In summary, precise management of dietary fiber, energy, amino acids and CP through a specialized transition diet is crucial for maximizing sow performance. Strategic transition feeding enhances the farrowing process, colostrum quality, and piglet survival. Implementing targeted nutritional strategies from several days before to shortly after farrowing can ensure smoother physiological transitions, minimize stress, optimize lactation performance, and ultimately strengthen long-term reproductive success.

Anions and cations are electrolytes (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, H+, NH4+, Cl-, SO42-, HCO3-, and PO43-) with positive (+) or negative (-) charge. All the cations are major minerals (with + charge) and anions are negatively charged elements or molecules (1,2). Therefore, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, hydrogen and ammonium ions are considered as cations. Chloride, sulfate, bycarbonate, phosphate and lactate (like volatile fatty/organic acid) ions are considered as anions (1,2,3,4).


Sodium (Na+). Sodium is a crucial mineral (cation with a single positive charge) to many body functions in all animals. It maintains fluid balance both in intra-cellular (inside of cell) and extra-cellular (outside of cells) thereby regulates blood pressure and blood volume. It is important for proper nerve and muscle function. Most of the body's sodium is found in the blood and the fluid surrounding cells. Particularly in dairy cow, sodium plays a role in proper rumen functioning, digestion and nutrient absorption. Sodium is involved in the absorption of sugars and amino acids from the digestive tract, ensuring the cow can effectively utilize nutrients from its feed. It also plays a role in keeping milk volumes up. Cows need a daily intake of sodium, particularly dairy cows due to losses through milk and urine. However, over feeding sodium can create problems such as thinner or watery manure and swellings (eg. udder edema) (1,3,4,5).

Potassium (K+ ). Potassium is a vital mineral (cation with single positive charge) that plays a crucial role in many bodily functions. It helps regulate body fluid balance, nerve signals, muscle contractions, and heart rhythm. Potassium also helps move nutrients into cells and waste products out, and can help lower blood pressure, counteracting sodium effects. Particularly in cows, adequate potassium intake is important during lactation to support high milk yield and overall cow health. However, potassium should be monitored in dry cow diet to achieve a better and healthy dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) to mitigate milk-fever and other post-partum issues (2,3,4,5).

Magnesium (Mg2+). Magnesium is an important mineral (cation with 2 positive charges) that helps several body functions; maintaining normal nerve and muscle function, maintaining a healthy immune system, keeping a steady heartbeat, and keeping stronger bones. It also helps adjust blood glucose levels. Providing adequate Mg to cow diet is essential for optimal milk production, healthy reproduction and growth. In addition Mg helps prevent deficiency issues such as grass tetany (hypo-magnisemia) (3,4,5,6).

Calcium (Ca2+). Calcium is an essential major mineral (cation with 2 positive charges) and it plays a vital role in numerous body functions; building and maintaining strong bones and teeth, facilitating muscle contraction, nerve function, blood clotting, and maintaining a healthy heartbeat. A significant portion of the body's calcium is stored in bones and teeth, while the rest is actively involved in various other physiological processes. Thereby calcium has a structural function in addition to being an electrolyte. Particularly in cows, calcium plays a major role in the health and productivity (bone health, muscle contraction, nerve function, and milk production). Calcium is important for calf growth (bone growth), DCAD, post-partum uterine cleaning, smooth transition around calving. In far-off dry cows, ensuring adequate calcium intake, is essential to prevent milk fever (hypo-calcemia) and other metabolic disorders. Appropriate dietary changes with optimal calcium levels to close-up dry cow diets, while maintaining a better DCAD are also important for mitigating the above (4,5,6,7).

Hydrogen ion (H+). Hydrogen is an element, once in positive charge (cation) is considered as an ion (H+). It plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, primarily by regulating pH (acidic) and influencing enzyme activity. Hydrogen ions are essential for maintaining acid-base balance, which is vital for optimal cellular function, digestion, absorption, excretion and overall health. Particularly in cows, hydrogen ions are important in various biological processes; maintaining cellular and systemic pH balance (acid-base balance), influencing enzyme activity, and participating in metabolic reactions. Hydrogen ion concentration is tightly regulated, and imbalances can have significant physiological consequences leading to sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA), ruminal acidosis, systemic acidosis and even renal (kidney) issues (4,5,6).

Ammonium ion (NH4+). Ammonium ion is composed of a nitrogen atom and 4 hydrogen atoms balancing to a single positive charge (cation). Ammonium ion plays a crucial role in maintaining acid-base balance and is involved in nitrogen metabolism. The sources that bring ammonium ion are proteins and other nitrogen-compounds from feed. Ammonium ion is also a key component in the process of removing waste products, particularly from the breakdown of proteins, through the kidneys. In cows, ammonium ions primarily play a role in nitrogen metabolism and microbial fermentation (microbial protein synthesis) within the rumen, making nitrogen compounds and poor quality protein into a better quality protein. Ammonium is a crucial source of nitrogen for rumen bacteria, which they use to synthesize amino acids and build microbial protein. However, excessive levels of ammonia, which is the protonated form of ammonium, can negatively impact animal health and rumen function. Ammonium iron is also useful in achieving a proper DCAD diet for dry cows.

Chloride ion (Cl-). Chloride ion is an anion (with a single negative charge). It is a crucial electrolyte with various vital roles; regulating fluid balance with sodium and potassium, maintaining acid-base balance (mainly with hydrogen ion and ammonium ion), and is essential for proper nerve and muscle function. Additionally, chloride plays a key role in digestion by being a component of stomach acid. In addition to the above roles, chloride ion contributes to osmotic pressure, which helps regulate the movement of water in and out of cells, supporting milk production and ejection (4,5,6,7).

Sulfate ion (SO42-). Sulfate ion is chemically composed of a sulfur atom, 4 oxygen atoms balancing out to an anion with 2 negative charges. Sulfate ion plays a crucial role in numerous physiological processes including development of cells and organs, detoxification, and maintaining ionic/electrolyte balance. They are essential for the sulfation of various molecules, such as steroids, neurotransmitters, and medications/medicinal compounds, which modifies their activity and clearance. Sulfate is also vital for the synthesis of important compounds like proteins and glycosaminoglycans building muscles, bones and also maintaining their health. Sulfate ions have a special place in cattle nutrition, particularly in rumen fermentation and optimizing trace mineral metabolism and availability. While essential for rumen function, high sulfate levels can negatively impact cattle health by interfering with trace mineral absorption, leading to deficiencies and potential health issues. Sulfate ion is also important for balancing DCAD in dry cow diet (1,3,4,5).

Bicarbonate ion (HCO3-): Bicarbonate ion is composed of a hydrogen atom, a carbon atom and 3 oxygen atoms balancing out to an anion with a single negative charge. Bicarbonate ion is crucial for maintaining acid-base balance, buffering activity to regulate pH in the blood and other bodily fluids. They also play a key role in transporting carbon dioxide through blood. It also helps maintain the correct pH in the parts of the digestive tract for proper digestion of feed. Particularly in cows, bicarbonate ion acts primarily by regulating pH balance in the rumen and blood. In the rumen, bicarbonate acts as a buffer, preventing drastic fluctuations in pH that can impair digestion, mitigate rumen wall damage and keep overall digestive health. Bicarbonate ion has a role in DCAD balance in dry cow diet too (1,3,6).

Phosphate (PO43-): Phosphate ion is composed of a phosphorous atom and 4 oxygen atoms balancing out to an anion with 3 negative charges. Phosphate ion plays a crucial role in many bodily functions, including bone and teeth formation, cell membrane production (growth), energy production (ATP) in body cells, and cell signaling. They are essential components of genetic material (nucleic acids [DNA and RNA]), and cell membranes. Phosphate ion is also involved in muscle and nerve function, as well as maintaining proper pH balance. In addition to the above structural and metabolic roles, phosphate ion is essential for healthy growth of calves, milk production, and overall well-being of cows. Phosphate ion is also important for balancing DCAD in dry cow diet. Deficiency of phosphorous may cause issues in cows such as pica (psychologically compulsive craving or consumption of objects, ie. eating fence, wood) (5,6,7).

Other organic acids such as lactic acid behave as anions (with a single negative charge). Certain amounts of all the above cations and anions are naturally available in many common feed ingredients such as silage, hay and grain. Premixes and minerals are formulated with correct levels of cations and anions preferably matching the animal group, age, production or farm situations. For example, a close-up dry cow diet needs a lower or negative DCAD (7). In a situation where premixes are not bringing those cations and anions correctly, other specialty products or precautions would be needed under the supervision of a nutritionist.

Note: for all articles, references are available upon request.

Our partners have garnered awards this quarter (or the past year)!!! Congratulations and your WAGS Team is proud to be your animal nutrition solutions provider!
Huge congratulations to Rockglen Colony Hog Team for raking-in awards in the recent Canada Packers (formerly Maple Leaf) awards:
1st Overall Award Signature Winner
1st Highest Average $/kg
1st Highest Average Loin Premium
2nd Demerit-Free Percentage

Congratulations to Britestone Colony for winning Olymel Grand Champion and Food Safety Champion for 2025!

Congratulations to Sovereign Colony for being awarded 2nd runner up in the Core Category at the Olymel Awards!

Kudos to Armada Colony Hogs for winning Hypor’s annual awards:
3rd – born alive per litter
2nd – pigs weaned per sow weaned
2nd – pigs weaned/mated female weaned

Awesome job to our guys at Rim Rock Colony in Montana for being the Champion in the Cage-Free White category at the Cramer Show in Great Falls.

Congratulations to the WAGS partners who made it to the H@ms Marketing JuneTop 10 list for carcass quality of pigs going to either Thunder Creek or Olymel. Well done!

THUNDER CREEK

INDEXING
3rd Raley Colony
5th Vanguard Farming Company Ltd.
6th Wymark Farming Co.
10th Hillridge Farming Co.

HEALTH/QUALITY TATTOO
3rd Shamrock Farming Co. Ltd.
4th Vanguard Farming Company Ltd.

LEAN PERCENTAGE & LOIN DEPTH
Lean Percent Target
1st Garden Plane Farming Company
2nd Hillridge Framing Co.
3rd Shamrock Farming Co. Ltd.
4th Vanguard Farming Co. Ltd.
5th Wymark Farming Co. Ltd.
8th Raley Colony

Loin Depth Target
4th Raley Colony
5th Wymark Farming Co. Ltd.
8th Garden Plane Farming Company

CORE AREA AND SORT
% in Core Area
1st Hillridge Farming Co.
4th Wymark Farming Co. Ltd.
5th Raley Colony Ltd.
9th Garden Plane Farming Company

Carcass Wt. Target
1st Hillridge Farming Co.
2nd Vanguard Farming Co. Ltd.
4th Raley Colony Ltd.
7th Wymark Farming Company Ltd.
10th Garden Plane Farming Company

OLYMEL

INDEXING
5th Summerland Colony Farming Co. Ltd.
7th Sovereign Farming Colony

HEALTH/QUALITY TATTOO
2nd Sovereign Farming Co.
8th Clear Lake Farming
9th Old Elm Farming Co. Ltd.

LEAN PERCENTAGE & LOIN DEPTH
Lean Percent Target
7th Sovereign Farming Company
8th Summerland Colony Farming

LOIN DEPTH TARGET 65 mm
6th Sovereign Farming Colony

CORE AREA AND SORT
% in Core Area
9th Summerland Colony Farming