The Rural Voice, 1982-06, Page 34PERTH COUNTY PORK PRODUCERS' NEWS
Single measurement system in effect
by Hans Feldmann
The directors of the County Association met on April 27 in
Mitchell.
The meeting approved the budget for 1982 as proposed by
treasurer Gordon Jack and the executive. The budget totals
515,362. - including communications grants and attendance at the
semi-annual and annual meetings.
The directors voted to sponsor a county team in the swine
judging competitions at the upcoming Pork Congress.
The Pork Producers Association again will co-sponsor the
annual Dairy & Pork Festival to be held on Friday, June 4. at the
Stratford Coliseum. The barbecue will be from 5 to 8 p.m. followed
by a dance at 8 p.m. with the Roger Quick Orchestra. Advance
Tickets are 57.50 and are available from the township directors. In
other business the directors authorized the executive to purchase
a page in the new Perth County Atlas to publicize the industry.
Vice President Bob Stephen is busy writing up an account of pork
production in Perth County, past and present and of the role that
the county producers and their association have played in the
development of the industry and of the marketing system. Perth
County is the largest pork producing county in Ontario and
probably in Canada.
Gerald Matheson reports that the barbecue has been
renovated. It will first be used at the Stratford festivities on May
29. The barbecue is again available to groups or individuals. For
bookings call Gerald Matheson at 356-2637 (Atwood). There is a
nominal fee of 535.00 in the county and $ 50.00 outside the county
to help cover some of the expenses. The association operates the
barbecue as a promotial project.
BOARD REPORT
Board representative Willi Keller reports, that at the time of
writing a revised federal stabilization program is still clouded in
uncertainty. British Columbia and the four Maritime provinces
have initiated programmes of their own after expressing lack of
confidence in the willingness of the Federal Government to
initiate a suitable programme. The five provinces are said not to
be interested any more in a federal system unless it equals their
own. At a meeting with members of the board Ontario Minister of
Agriculture Dennis Timbrell said, he is still waiting for proposals
from Ottawa. Ontario would possibly start a program, if Ottawa
does not act. Resolutions submitted by the delegates to the annual
meeting in March of this year commit the OPPMB to favor a
national stabilization program that would treat producers in all
provinces equally.
Willi also stated that the board has set up a working committee
to explore the design of a hedging program tor producers. The
University of Guelph is studying and comparing different
electronic grading systems that would measure back fat and loin
eye at the same time.
The OPPMB will accept applications from interested producers
for electronic fund transfer. Forms are available from the board or
the yard managers.
NOTES FROM THE OPPMB:
Board Elections - Executive, 1%2.
PG. 34 THE RURAL VOICE/JUNE 1982
The Board held elections at their regular meeting on March
29th. The results are: Chairman: Doug Farrell; Vice -Chairman:
Cedric Harrop; Executive Committee: Doug Farrell, Cedric
Harrop, Jim Goodhand. Howard Malcolm, Dave McDonald, and
Tom Smith.
Committees: The standing committees for the coming year are:
Communications: T. Jensen. W. Keller, M. MacAuley, D.
McDonald and W. Stein.
Promotion and Market Development: H. Malcolm, W. Matte,
M. Myers, W. Stein and A.Vos.
Research: M. Aberle, W. Keller, A. Vos and G. Waterton.
WeanerPig: T. Jensen, M. MacAuley, D. McDonald and M.
Myers.
Yards: M. Aberle, J. Goodhand, W. Matte, T. Smith and G.
Waterton.
Appointments:
Representatives to other organizations for the coming year are:
Canadian Pork Council: D. Farrell, C. Harrop, H. Malcolm and
T. Smith; Agricultural Publishing: W. Stein; Royal Agricultural
Winter Fair: G. Waterton; Farm Safety Association: M. Aberle;
O.F.A.: A. Vos; O.F.A. Marketing Board Liaison Committee: G.
Waterton; Ontario Freezer Meat Association: A. Vos; Ontario
Livestock Protection Association: D. McDonald; R.O.P.: W. Stein
and W. Matte; Ontario Pork Congress: W. Keller.
NEW GRADING BROCHURES AVAILABLE:
The new single measurement system for grading hogs came
into use on March 29. Instead of measuring both the shoulder and
the loin it was only one loin measurement. A brochure has been
prepared by the Canadian Pork Council explaining how the new
system works and shows how the index is derived from the loin fat
measurement and carcass weight. Copies are available by writing
the Secretary.
SHORT REPRIEVE ON GRADING CHARGES:
Just before the Annual Meeting, the federal government
announced it will be charging producers for the cost of grading
carcasses. They want .20c a hog, which for Ontario's four million
hogs, means an added cost of 5800,000. a year for the province's
producers. Originally, the federal government wanted the
charges to begin on April 1st, but they have now postponed it until
July.
Producers across Canada are opposed to being stuck with the
bill and the Executive of the Canadian Pork Council met this week
to decide on a strategy.
LIVESTOCK MARKETING CONGRESS -1982:
Regina, Saskatchewan will be host to the 1982 Congress, June
16-18. This year's theme is "Charting the Future: Longcr Term
Prospects for North America's Livestock Industry". Top notch
speakers and panelists will look at the various social and economic
trends that will influence tomorrow's livestock industry. The
organizers warn that hotel space is limited and suggest
registering as soon as possible. For more information call the
Livestock Merchandising Institute, Kansas City, Missouri (816)
531-2235.