Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Wednesday's Pork Meeting - Dire Situation

Here is a report on last night's meeting in Stratford - from AM920 CKNX in Wingham.


There were some dire predictions at a pork industry meeting in Stratford.

Over 500 stakeholders gathered last night to learn more about restructuring, debt mediation and transition strategy options for struggling pork producers.

Perth County Pork Producers Association President, Mike Bosch says he is skeptical of the recently announced Federal loan and the "Hog Farm Transition" programs.

He says he's not sure it's enough money to do anything.

Bosch says there are a lot of pork producers in trouble and he wouldn't be surprised if at least 50 per cent of them run out of money to operate by the end of the calendar year.

He adds the main goal of last night's "Canadian Pork Industry in Crisis - Are You Ready" event in Stratford was to give producers the information and tools they need to help determine their future.

Views: 95

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wayne Black on September 10, 2009 at 1:27am
Given that there is only $75 million (+-) for restructuring, $17 million for research and marketing (which is okay for marketing), and unknown for loans - it will definitely be insufficient.
Farmgate sales for the pork sector in Huron- Perth region in 2006 was over $290 million - representing almost a quarter of the total farmgate sales of ALL the main commodities.
Huron, Perth, and Oxford Cty produce the bulk of pork in Ontario (on a per county basis), and the claim in the industry is $40 per market hog in losses - the three counties will lose in excess of $66 million in the second and third quarters of 2009. I realize the actual hog numbers are most likely lower today than in 2006, but the point is that the losses in this region is, and will be, substantial due to the infrastructure surrounding the pork sector - feed mills, trucking, parts and equipment suppliers, hog assembly yards...
So really - when you spread the $75 million and the $17 million across CANADA - how much of an impact will it really have?
May 16, 2006 census for Nursery & Market hogs on farm
Huron - 639,842; Perth - 598,260; Oxford - 424691

Wayne
Permalink Reply by pigsrgr8 on September 11, 2009 at 6:43am
I was not able to make the meeting the other night....not sure what the right path is for pork production in Ontario.
I wish the government could help but it is hard to count on that....markets need to correct but it is looking like that is going to take too long.

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

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

Bayer Seeks Tariffs on Glyphosate Imports

Bayer Seeks Tariffs on Glyphosate Imports, Sparking Farmer Concerns Over Rising Costs.

Quebec Biofood Sector Investment Gets a Boost

Canada is investing nearly $34 million to support innovation, jobs, and local food processing in Quebec’s biofood sector, strengthening supply chains and national food security goals.

New Swine Influenza Vaccine Technology Could Transform Hog Health Management

A breakthrough swine influenza vaccine platform could reduce disease severity, improve herd health, and help producers respond quickly to emerging virus strains.

Wheat midge – Overview

The wheat midge (Sitodiplosis mosellana) is found in most areas around the world wherever wheat is grown. In recent years, significant damage to wheat crops due to wheat midge has been reported in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, southern British Columbia, Minnesota, North Dakota and Idaho. All wheat varieties are currently susceptible to wheat midge, but some are more seriously affected than others. Although the midge also attacks other members of the grass family, including barley, couch grass, intermediate wheat grass and rye, infestations on these plants are usually not serious enough to warrant control. Research and breeding for wheat midge resistant wheat varieties is underway at the Cereals Research Centre (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Winnipeg) and the Crop Development Centre (University of Saskatchewan).

5 ideas to help attract and keep the best employees

Good employees are hard to find – and keep. That’s why some farms are looking for creative solutions to help retain workers. Whether it’s by way of increased compensation, nurturing a family-friendly workplace or creating opportunities for career advancements, here are five ways to create a desirable workplace: 1. Non-monetary compensation Benefits on top of wages can be a necessity to attract workers to more remote, rural locations like farms. Such compensation can include access to housing and transportation to the job site. Jeff Warkentin, the chief operating officer and farm manager of Hebert Grain Ventures, lists additional incentives that the 40,000-acre grain and oilseed operation in southeast Saskatchewan provides: Pension benefits Additional benefits, such as health plans Bonus and profitability programs. Bonuses are paid out to employees who achieve targeted goals, while profitability bonuses are distributed in profitable years for the company. 2. Family affair Including

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service