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The Rural Voice, 1981-11, Page 38PERTH COUNTY PORK PRODUCERS' NEWS Marketing study expected soon The directors of the Perth County Pork Producers Association met on September 17, in the Mitchell Townhall. Provincial Board member, Willi Keller reported that the semi-annual meeting will be held a month later this year (Oct. 21st) to allow Dr. Gordon Bowman and his committee to prepare a preliminary report on their study on marketing in the pork industry. He stressed again, that groups and individuals are invited to submit briefs and comments. The Address is: Dr. Gordon H. Bowman, Dept. of Animal Science, University of Guelph, GUELPH, NIG 2W1. Willi is the chairman of the provinciali board's research committee. Following is a list of research projects. that the committee suggested for funding by the board; 3) Research Projects 1981-82. The committee reviewed the 19 submissions; graded them as to priority and importance and compiled the following list for Board approval: PROJECTS ALREADY APPROVED Renewable Energy Program - $20,000; Dr. Ogilvie. Controlled Breeding of Gilts and Sows - $15,500; Dr. Hacker Prediction of Carcass Yield in Hogs - $9,000; Dr. S.D.M. Jones Haemophilus Pleuropneumonia of Swine - $23,000; Dr. Rosendal. Swine Farm Model - $4,160; Dr. R. Pieper Sub total - $71,660. PROJECTS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL Reproductive Efficiency in Swine Herds - $9,750; Dr. C.J. King Systems for Testing Feed Efficiency - $10,700; Dr. R.R. Hacker Systems of Dry Sow Housing - $10,000; Dr. R.R. Hacker Response of Young Pigs to Immunization Against Common Swine Pathogens - $9,130; Dr. O.P. Miniats Behavioural Effects in Survival and Growth of Piglets - $7,990; Dr. J. F. Hurnick. Hormonal and Pathological Aspects of Porcine Parovirus in Pregnant Sows - $3.650; Dr. R. M. Liptrap. Genetic Evaluation of Boars Used in Artifical Insemination - S15,850; Dr. B.W. Kennedy. Sub Total - $67,070. Total of Class I & II - $138,730. The Barbecue Committee finalized their puns to again take the barbecue to the plowing match in their continuous effort to help promote the use of pork in the fast food industry. Most directors volunteered to go up to Barrie for a day and take their turn helping to run the barbecue. The Producer Information Committee reported, that the "Swine Symposium" will be held in early spring rather than in December and then will become a biannual event alternating with the Swine Conference, held at the University of Guelph every second year. For winter meetings the Producer Information Committee - plans to concentrate on marketing, economics and credit management and to conduct a producer meeting to discuss the provincial board's current study on marketing. Director Ray Stock reported on information obtained from the Farm Credit Corporation as follows: The present year's budget of FCC is 113 million from April 1, 1981 - March 31, 1982. The third quarter (Oct. - Jan.) alotment has already been committed and the fourth quarter (January to March 31) has some uncommitted funds but applications on file, if approved will eat up that portion as well. The present interest rate is 14 per cent but all loans after Oct. 1 will be subject to an increase. The interest rate is calculated by the average yield of 5 - 10 year Bonds over the past 6 months plus 1% for FCC administration. The Gov't can fix the interest rate which they did in 1972 but since then it floated with the bonds and it is not suspected they will fix it this time around. Other means of obtaining outside funds to increase the budget are being looked at, one being similar to the small business development bonds where by interest earned is non taxable. The FCC foreclosures are down 50 per cent from the previous year but the arrears list is up substantially. The emph isis on approvable applicants seems to be on those with a viable operation that can be helpful with refinancing over a longer period of time. (At the time of writing there are rumors of new developments with regard to the change in interest rates and the availability of funds. Anybody interested should keep in touch with the local FCC office.) Notes from the OPPMB: 1. Ontario Weaner Pig Committee: The Provincial Committee met as a whole for this first time on Tuesday, September 15th, 1981. The entire committee was in attendance and after a full day's discussion, made several recommendations to the Board for further consideration. A sub- committee of M. DeBruyn and T. Jensen was instructed to meet with the Market Study Group (Dr. Bowman, et. al.) to present the problems and concerns of the weaner producer to this group. The Ontario Weaner Pig Committee has eight producer members: R. Legault and G. Glaude (East); N. Tuckey and G. Burns (Central); R. Gillespie and H. Steffens (South) and H. Geisel and M. DeBruyn (North). 1. National Hog Stabilization: Since the announcement by the Honourable Eugene Whelan, Canadian Minister of Agriculture, at the Federal -Provincial Conference in Lethbridge, Alberta, in July, that he would ask Agriculture Canada to develop a new national program for hog stabilization, the Department and the Canadian Pork Council have held discussions on the various concepts that might be developed. Late in August the two groups reviewed a working paper submitted by the Federal Department. The proposals included two potential approaches: (1) The deficiency payment plan similar to the present program or (2) a price insurance concept. Mr. Whelan has emphasized two prinicples; first, that this national plan will not allow any provincial top -loading; second, that it should be funded jointly by government and producers. The group hope to develop a plan for implementation at April 1st, 1982. COMPARISON OF ONTARIO PRICES WITH OMAHA Year Ontario Toronto OMAHA Adjusted Adjusted Converted by U.S. Price Exchange Rate 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 $25.49 37.16 54.38 50.05 66.98 63.44 60.46 69.33 63.09 59.43 525.80 37.36 54.66 50.28 67.20 64.14 61.01 69.81 64.11 59.32 $23.88 34.38 51.60 43.49 62.53 56.18 52.79 61.97 53.65 51.28 100.98 90.05 100.01 97.80 101.73 98.61 106.35 114.02 117.15 116.90 524.11 30.96 51.61 42.53 63.61 55.40 56.14 70.66 62.85 59.94 THE RURAL VOICE/NOVEMBER 1981 PG. 37