The Rural Voice, 1982-10, Page 50PERTH COUNTY PORK PRODUCERS' NEWS
Semi -Annual:
Interim report on activities and accomplishments
by Hans Feldman
The directors of the Perth County Pork Producers Association
attended the Semi - Annual Meeting of the OPPMB on
September 16 in Toronto.
The purpose of the semi-annual meeting is to give the delegates
an interim report on the activities and accomplishments of the
board and it's departments and committees. Resolutions are
usually not received or debated. The board's activities were
outlined in a well prepared and comprehensive address by
Chairman Doug Farrell. A summary of his report is given below.
Doug stated, that considerable time was spent by the Board
and it's various committees acting on the recommendations of the
Bowman Report that were requested by the delegates at the
annual meeting in March.
The Communications Committee will attempt to provide
producers with information on market conditions and other
important matters with messages printed on an enlarged
settlement form.
The Promotion and Market Development Committee is
working on ways to supply people who sell produce abroad with
information on market conditions. The Promotion Department is
continuously involved in promoting the use of pork in
restaurants where we have never had a fair share of the market.
The Research Committee decided to support nine new projects
and continue four existing ones. These include electronic methods
of grading hogs and ways of controlling haemophilus
pneumonia. The committee is also looking at a major study �f
health hazards of people working in hog barns over long periods
of time.
The board has developed a series of recommendations to deal
with problems arising from any possible loss of export markets
for any political or technical reasons such as embargos or disease
problems. Canada presently exports 23 per cent of the pork
produced, and even a temporary loss of these sales could cause
chaos in the market place. Recommendations to deal with such an
emergency will be discussed at the annual meeting of the
Canadian Pork Congress in November.
Little success has been made in dealing with the major
recommendation of the Bowman report to establish a voluntary
national stabilization program. Provincial Minister of Agricul•
ture Dennis Timbrell has endorsed the idea, however there
appears to be a complete lack of co-operation from Mr. Whelan
and the Federal Government. Mr. Whelan does not appear to be
willing to accept the fact, that the majority of the producers
prefer stabilization to supply management. Another issue under
discussion with the federal government is the attempt to pass the
cost of grading carcasses on to the producer. Though the plan has
been postponed for a year, it may eventually be reintroduced and
also include the cost of inspection and services. The Board feels,
these servieesare of equal benefit to the consumer and processors
and should be borne by the federal government.
The board is looking at a study to speed up the flow of hogs
between farm gate and processor. This would reduce the weight
loss due to shrinkage. A reduction by even one or two percentage
points in weight Toss would put millions of dollars more in
producers pockets.
Doug feels indications are, that prices will stay high for the rest
PG. 50 THE RURAL VOICE / OCTOBER 1982
of the year. What happens after that, is anybody's guess but he
feels, prices should stay firm into spring. One of the things that
concerns most producers is the low price of grain. With record
high prices, the hog -corn ratio in August was 29.7, compared
with 18.1 a year ago. This could trigger production increases,
which at the present state of the economy and world trade cannot
be absorbed at current prices. Doug's advice to producers is to
use present day profits to consolidate their financial position and
to improve their efficiency to be able to weather a period of low
prices, that will inevitably come.
Sales manager Jim Rollings was cleanly shaved when he
presented his report. At the March meeting he promised to cut off
his beard when prices would hit 80. Jim produced statistics of
record sales and prices. Jim's main concern is a reduction in sow
slaughter, which could indicate future production increases.
General Manager Helmut Loewen reported only 37 producers
so far have asked for an electronic transfer of funds. He also said
inquiries and complaints from producers are mainly concerning
weights or Toss cheques. However considering the number of pigs
handled and settlements issued, the problems are few. The change
of grading to a single loin measure apparently has not effected the
grades in Ontario. In fact the average grade is up slightly. Some
western producers with a different type hog have experienced a
reduction in grades.
A special committee on hedging reported difficulties in setting
up a program to assist individual producers in hedging hogs on
the futures market. The mandate of the Pork Producers
Marketing Board under the - terms of the Farm Products
Marketing Act apparently does not allow the board to become
involved in such an undertaking. Instead the board will try to set
up a program of forward -contracting. This program would make
it possible for individual producers on a voluntary basis to
forward -contract a limited number of their hogs over a 17 week
period. Packers have shown an interest in such a system. Further
studies however are necessary.
In other news: A swine managers training program will be held
at both the Ridgetown College of Agriculture Technology and the
St. Clair College in Chatham. The courses start Jan. 10, 83 and
-.,,.orations have to be in by Nov. 15, 82. The Board helped to
initiate tneac courses, and it is hoped there will be sufficient
interest.
The Perth County pork producers will again have their
Barbeque at the plowing match. Drop in and say hello.
Regional meetings for weaner producers will be held by the
Weaner Pig Committee. For the North Area, the meeting will be
in Listowel on October 7, 82 at 1:30 P.M. at Kin Station.
Tell your dealer you saw his
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