Before you can send pigs to market in Ontario, you need a PigTrace account to report animal movements. PigTrace is an industry-led, live animal traceability initiative designed to ensure protection, prosperity and peace of mind for the Canadian pork industry and its customers. By law, you must report when pigs arrive and leave your farm (PID).
Registering as a producer with Ontario Pork will automoatically register you for PigTrace and a Premises Identificaiton (PID).
Ontario Pork’s Industry and Member Services department will help you navigate each step - just give us a call to get started. It takes about 10 minutes over the phone.
1. Registering as a producer with Ontario Pork
Ontario Pork has two categories of producers based on the number of pigs you plan to raise. Fill out the form that fits the size of your operation.
Return form to [email protected], or call Member Services at 1-877-668-7675 ext. 1220 to register.
2. PigTrace account
When you register as a pork producer with Ontario Pork, we will automatically register you with PigTrace and give you a login for the PigTRACE website. PigTRACE is an industry-led, live animal traceability initiative designed to ensure protection, prosperity and peace of mind for the Canadian pork industry and its customers. By law, you must report when pigs arrive and leave your farm (PID).
For more information on the PigTrace program, visit our PigTrace information page.
3. Applying for a Premises Identification (PID) 
What is premises identification? Premises identification is the assignment of a unique identification number to a parcel of land where livestock or poultry may be located. Premises identification connects animal traceability to geographic locations. This information is needed when you report movements to PigTrace. PIDs are given out by Ontario’s Provincial Premises Registry.
There are two ways to get a PID:
- Ask Ontario Pork to obtain a PID on your behalf. This request takes a week.
- Apply for your PID directly from Ontario's Premises Registry: ontariopid.com or 1-888-247-4999. Calling direct is the best way to deal with urgent requests.
Identifying your pigs
All pigs going to market, need an indentification number for traceability purposes. Producers can either tag or tattoo their animals. Learn more about tagging and tattooing here.
- Buying tags - Smaller-scale producers generally find tagging to be the more affordable and easier method. You can buy tags via your account on the PigTrace website or by calling Ontario Pork.
- Herd mark tattoo – Commercial producers can register a tattoo to their farm by contacting Ontario Pork. Ontario Pork also sells tattoo hammers and digits.
Contact Ontario Pork Member Services to buy tags, tattoo digits and hammers:
- Mail: Ontario Pork, 655 Southgate Drive, Guelph, ON N1G 5G6
- Phone: 1-877-668-7675 ext. 1220
- Fax: 519 829 1769
- Email: [email protected]
Note: Tags are mailed out once a week. Expect 10-14 days from order to delivery.
Small Producer Manual
Whether you have two, 20, or 200 pigs in Ontario, it is important to be aware of the management and welfare requirements of the swine industry. Also of the traceability requirements for movement of animals between farms and to slaughter.
Even if this is not your first time raising pigs, you may still have questions about their feeding, management, health, government regulations or mandatory requirements for raising pigs in Ontario.
Ontario Pork has complied a how-to-guide to help small scale producers or hobby farmers raising pigs in Ontario. This guide is intended for those raising weaned pigs through growing and finishing to slaughter weight, but does not contain information on the management of sows, breeding or farrowing.