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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2016-11-16, Page 22 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, November 16, 2016 Genetically wired for pig farming, Vista Vilia Farms breeds champions $19 million yearly operation in Walton iv Ont. is stretching out globally Shaun Gregory Huron Expositor The Royal Agriculture Winter Fair is said to be the greatest indoor farming festivity and universal equestrian competition on Earth. Genetically bound for this type of lifestyle are the Robinsons, who have displayed legitimate evidence that they potentially have the best pigs in North America. Vista Villa Farms is stationed in Walton, Ont., employing 29 full and part-time employees as well as 22 contract producers, who are all involved in making the operation function properly. Every year for the last four dec- ades, the Robinsons have gone to Toronto in a spirited effort to prove they have the most succu- lent carcasses with as little fat count as possible at the RAWF. In Canada specifically, the carcasses lean yield are usually defined as the proportion of certain tissues of interest. Be that fat, loin or muscle which are measured using a Probe, similar to an ultrasound machine. Relying on the pig's structure for success, the youngsters competing must back this up by a professional performance that's judged accord- ingly to showmanship. Erin Robinson, one of the Robin- son family members in charge of the day-to-day duties, sees this as a reason to head to Canada's largest city and enjoy some quality family time. But it's also an ultimate opportunity to advertise their product. "We sell genetics, for us it's a way to showcase this and the fact that they keep coming up on top is pretty remarkable," stated Robin- son, explaining about the event that has roughly 2,000 agricultural contests and welcomes more than 5,000 animals. The days leading up to RAWF are the labour of approximately 11 months of prior preparation. Just as fast as they left Toronto, the year before, within weeks they are breeding for the next compe- tition. With a strict diet of corn, soybeans and vitamins the pigs are bulked up to perfection. From there, they handpick the healthi- est five -month-old pigs, the ones they deem to be potential champions. "We kind of divide it up for the kids in terms of each one gets a top pick and then a choice from the next group," said Robinson in the house that transformed into an office after years upon years of farming pigs. "It's cousins competing against cousins, we try to keep it as fair as possible amongst them." Practically being born in a barn, Arevoua � business in HUROUASTa Contact us to put your business on the map. Contact Nancy deGans At Seaforth Huron Expositor 8 MAIN ST., SEAFORTH 519-527-0240 Ndegans@postmedia.com For more information on advertising on our map CALL TODAY the children know to not get attached; Robinson said they are not there to grow them "like a typi- cal 4-H project." "At first there are questions, well this is going to be a pork chop," Robinson recalled when she would explain to the younger family members. "It's food." Each child receives a pair of pigs. After exhibiting the animals, if the pigs place into the top 30, they will then be auctioned. Cur- rently Robinson said the market for swine is rather low as they are going for anywhere from $120- $130, at this event they will be purchased for up to five times that price. Reports last October from the London Free Press indi- cated that pig prices have decreased by roughly 20 per cent from 12 months ago and meat prices have fallen 11.5 per cent. The market is "pretty low" said Robinson, so receiving such large payments for the pigs is instrumen- tal. This goes directly to the child and it's used for future college or university plans. This method of sale is appropriate, for the reason of "biosecurity" measures, mean- ing the pig cannot return to the herd for disease purposes. "We are a breeding stock sup- plier, so our animals are blood tested weekly," commented Robinson. The Robinsons successfully com- pleted the competition with three of them managing to reach into the iron Expositor. ,ea ort uronexiositor.co Submitted photo Here are all the Robinsons at the 2016 Royal Agriculture Winter Fair in Toronto. Back row boys -Mark (tall one), Ben and Bob (Grandpa). Front row -Renee, Stacey, Grace, Noah and Emma. top six numbers. Their placements are as followed: 1st Grace Robinson age 14, Grand Champion Market Pig. 2nd Stacey Robinson age 18, Reserve Grand Champion Market Pig. 3rd Emma Robinson,12 and 2nd Novice Showperson. 5th Renee Robinson, 20 and Grand Champion Showperson. 7th Ben Robinson who is 16 -years -old in the Market Hog Competition. 8th Noah Robinson, 10, 3rd in Novice Showperson. 1 lth Mark Robinson age 20 and Reserve Grand Champion Showperson. With an establishment strictly focused on pigs since 1967, Vista Villa Farm has increased their yield radically. They produce 75,000 baby pigs per year, which are grown on a three -site production system. It's not an unfathomable accom- plishment to claim titles at the RAWF when you have such knowl- edge in the realm of farming swine and a state -of -the art facility only adds to that advantage. It's a $19 million business, the feed alone can cost about $8 million with a monthly electricity bill of $12,000 for VVF's one location. This num- ber is notable since Huron County exceeds $200 million in sales each year. "That's our labour, we produce a superior animal, (so) (these) costs are associated with blood testing, genetic improvement and truck- ing," said Robinson. "Those are all extras that a commercial herd wouldn't have to do." Recently VVF joined forces with a group of fellow pork producers to create Alliance Genetics Canada. As a group they have an edge to compete with the multinationals on a global scale. Through this they are able to claim ownership to the most prestigious boars in Can- ada. They do this by selling genetics to other farms in the form of semen or live animals "Today we have the largest pure- bred nucleus in Canada and the biggest influence of commercial hogs in Ontario," stated in an AGS press release document. This lucrative market has opened doors to export genetics to Jamaica, Russia, China, Philippines, Cuba, India and Estonia. Every step taken by VVF is vital in completing and delivering a successful genetic package, according to the document. While this partnership has cre- ated an abundance of relationships worldwide, simply trying to eat a piece of meat personally grown can be a difficult task. "We eat a lot of pork, but as a producer, it's hard to eat your own meat," stated Robinson, she con- cluded by saying they usually pur- chase from the local grocery store. For more information relating to the Robinsons and how their farm operates, go to their Facebook page at Vista Villa Genetics or the Alli- ance Genetics Canada website.