Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Grassroots producers have worked at trying to put forward a Recovery Plan for the Ontario Pork Industry. It is an article for discussion and is not written in stone. Please consider engaging in discussions - tell us what statements you can endorse and give us suggestions for those statements you can not support.

Only through these discussions, can we provide the unified voice that is needed.

'If you aren't a part of the solution - you become part of the problem'

Views: 143

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

The U.S. country of origin labeling and interprovincial trade disruption are the biggest issues that stand in the way of a level playingfield.
There are numerous issues but,

The only sustainable solution will be to get the pork prices up...now the dollar is moving to par with the US.

What can we do to address prices?
If we believe the reason why our price is where it is - too many hogs in this world economy - markets are telling us we have to downsize. A problem is that some of us will get that message quicker (due to limited funds) than others (US) who think they can sustain this crazy marketplace - dog-eat-dog. The question that needs to be asked - Do the MAJORITY of Ontario Producers want to work together to systemically downsize our industry - AND - put pursue legislation to protect that downsizing - as we watch 200,000 MT (and growing) US pork coming into our store. You are right about the rising dollar - and we can add that to the growing list of items working against us - and the question is - when do we see any sustainable resolution to any one of these problems? We all bought into 'Fresh Pork for the World' and now the world has changed it's mind (perhaps temporarily). Producers need to unite as one voice - and list the priorities of what they want - suggestions: Cost of Production Insurance; Fix CAIS; eliminate the damage of ASRA to Ontario Producers (via $$$ to producers) put regulations in place to ensure imports are produced to our exact standards - the list is endless - so we as producers HAVE got to set a priority list - and I would say address the short-term; intermediate and long-term industry. I'd be interested to get your feedback.
Will the packers come on board?? There will still be an export demand as the economy rebounds and some people and packers will still want to chase that. The pork that we are raising now is disappearing just not at a price that we like, who is really controlling the price?? Yes I believe we need to control our own market and supply it ourselves and do it sooner than later, we just need OP to realize this and step up

JoAnne Caughill said:
If we believe the reason why our price is where it is - too many hogs in this world economy - markets are telling us we have to downsize. A problem is that some of us will get that message quicker (due to limited funds) than others (US) who think they can sustain this crazy marketplace - dog-eat-dog. The question that needs to be asked - Do the MAJORITY of Ontario Producers want to work together to systemically downsize our industry - AND - put pursue legislation to protect that downsizing - as we watch 200,000 MT (and growing) US pork coming into our store. You are right about the rising dollar - and we can add that to the growing list of items working against us - and the question is - when do we see any sustainable resolution to any one of these problems? We all bought into 'Fresh Pork for the World' and now the world has changed it's mind (perhaps temporarily). Producers need to unite as one voice - and list the priorities of what they want - suggestions: Cost of Production Insurance; Fix CAIS; eliminate the damage of ASRA to Ontario Producers (via $$$ to producers) put regulations in place to ensure imports are produced to our exact standards - the list is endless - so we as producers HAVE got to set a priority list - and I would say address the short-term; intermediate and long-term industry. I'd be interested to get your feedback.
Hi Tom - Packers are hearing about the Recovery Plan - and intrigued. They understand that without us, they don't have an industry. They know we need more of the Retail Dollar and I would also go out on a limb and say that they too likely need more of the retail dollar. Processors have been squeezed with us. A round table of Industry people will be an important part of this process of moving forward with a Recovery Plan. Tom - John N. and I would really like the opportunity to speak to your County Meeting - any chance of this?

Tom Murray said:
Will the packers come on board?? There will still be an export demand as the economy rebounds and some people and packers will still want to chase that. The pork that we are raising now is disappearing just not at a price that we like, who is really controlling the price?? Yes I believe we need to control our own market and supply it ourselves and do it sooner than later, we just need OP to realize this and step up

JoAnne Caughill said:
If we believe the reason why our price is where it is - too many hogs in this world economy - markets are telling us we have to downsize. A problem is that some of us will get that message quicker (due to limited funds) than others (US) who think they can sustain this crazy marketplace - dog-eat-dog. The question that needs to be asked - Do the MAJORITY of Ontario Producers want to work together to systemically downsize our industry - AND - put pursue legislation to protect that downsizing - as we watch 200,000 MT (and growing) US pork coming into our store. You are right about the rising dollar - and we can add that to the growing list of items working against us - and the question is - when do we see any sustainable resolution to any one of these problems? We all bought into 'Fresh Pork for the World' and now the world has changed it's mind (perhaps temporarily). Producers need to unite as one voice - and list the priorities of what they want - suggestions: Cost of Production Insurance; Fix CAIS; eliminate the damage of ASRA to Ontario Producers (via $$$ to producers) put regulations in place to ensure imports are produced to our exact standards - the list is endless - so we as producers HAVE got to set a priority list - and I would say address the short-term; intermediate and long-term industry. I'd be interested to get your feedback.

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Team Alberta Crops Breakfast

As the new communications intern at Alberta Canola, the Team Alberta Crops breakfast was my first time at an agriculture policy event. I come from an urban background with limited exposure to farming. Insights from presenters Milt Poirier, from QGI Consulting, and Neil Blue, a provincial Crop Market Analyst with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, fundamentally changed my understanding of the agricultural industry.   I no longer see Canadian agriculture as simply the production of farm products. Instead, I now view farming in the context of globally interconnected systems. These systems encompass the inputs that farmers rely on, the production processes, and the networks of processing and logistics. All of these systems are further shaped by external forces, including national and provincial policies, international trade rules, climate patterns, and technological innovations.   Global Competition and Climate Challenge   From Neil Blue’s talk, I learned that agriculture is a competit

2025 Performance Variety Trial Results Now Available

The 2025 Performance Variety Trials (PVT) results are now available, delivering the latest, region-specific data to support informed crop variety decisions across Alberta and Western Canada. The annual PVT program evaluates cereal, oilseed, and pulse crop varieties, providing up-to-date information on yield performance, agronomic characteristics, and disease resistance. This data helps farmers, agronomists, and industry professionals select varieties best suited to their local growing conditions, environmental zones, and management practices. Variety trials for each crop are conducted and managed by multiple research organizations and industry partners across the region. Detailed results can be found in the crop-specific performance tables for each commodity. We extend sincere thanks to the researchers, technicians, and partner organizations whose contributions make this program possible.

STEP takes action to support Saskatchewan’s canola export sector

The Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) is joining the effort to ensure market access into China for Canadian canola products in light of the latest round of Chinese tariffs. “Between the new 75% tariff on canola seed and the existing 100% tariff on oil and meal, the Chinese market is effectively closed for Saskatchewan canola products,” says incoming STEP CEO Chris Lane. “We are deeply concerned about the impact that could have on our members and the industry as a whole, not to mention producers who are starting harvest.” Beyond direct exporters, supporting industries such as transportation, logistics, agri-technology, and value-added services are feeling the ripple effects. These industries play an integral role in Saskatchewan’s economy, and many are now experiencing operational strain due to storage bottlenecks, contractual uncertainties, and reduced market confidence. STEP is encouraged by the Government of Saskatchewan’s efforts and advocacy on this issue, includi

Canada weighs approval of genetically engineered pigs

According to a recent USDA-FAS report, Canada is reviewing the potential commercial use of genetically engineered pigs, while pausing regulatory changes related to cloned swine. USDA-FAS reports that Environment and Climate Change Canada consulted with the public between June 20 and July 20, 2025, on four lines of genetically engineered pigs submitted under the New Substances program. The proposal would allow the pigs to be used in commercial breeding operations and pork production. A regulatory decision had not yet been released at the time of writing, and Health Canada had not published food safety assessments related to the pigs. Separately, Health Canada has indefinitely paused a proposed policy update that would have removed cattle and swine clones produced through somatic cell nuclear transfer, and their offspring, from Canada’s novel food regulations. The policy change was first proposed in spring 2024 but was halted in fall 2025 following consumer and industry feedback. Un

Pea, Lentil Outlooks Get More Burdensome

An already burdensome supply-demand picture for 2025-26 Canadian lentils and peas is now looking even worse. 

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service