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The Rural Voice, 1991-06, Page 26IMES YORKSHIRE DUROC HAMPSHIRE LANDRACE & HYBRIDS 74th PRODUCTION SALE Wednesday, June 12 at 7:00 p.m. At the farm of WARREN STEIN. Located one mile south and two miles west of Tavistock. We are offering York, Hamp, Duroc, Landrace, and various hybrid breeds; including a good selection of Hamp x Duroc boars. We also have a good selection of boars available at all times. Ontario's largest selection of R.O.P. tested and veterinary inspected boars and gilts. Ranked "Good" by the Animal Industry Branch. Sufrfrott Visit our booth at the Pork Congress Delivery arrangements available. For further information, or for catalogues please contact Richard Stein R.R. 6, Woodstock, Ont. 519-655-2942 ONTARIO, CONGRESS 'A CI Vaa2✓;t Rini Jing 25.27/97 Sv.tfo.J Warren Stein R.R. 2, Tavistock, Ont. 519-462-2704 STRATFORD A GRIC`Z(L'VURAL SOCIETY Fairgrounds Complex 20 Glastonbury Dr. Stratford, Ontario N5A 6T1 (519) 271-5130 (519) 271-5832 ?f/t .540e4t perk CONGRESS Cut Above the Rest' June 2527 Stratford We are pleased to once again be hosting the 19910ntario Pork Congress. We extend a warm welcome to all exhibitors & visitors. Brian Gropp, Manager 22 THE RURAL VOICE of farm operations in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Denmark has a world economy, with large swine herds on liquid manure systems, much like Ontario's. Both Sweden and Norway, however, have protected economies and are very welfare oriented. Sweden, for example, has passed legislation banning the use of farrowing crates and dry sow stalls, and ensures the animals have access to the outdoors. "People seem to accept these laws easily," says Dr. McNaughton. They have smaller operations that are labour intensive and they consider a straw based manure system "a new way of life." Animal welfare rightists feel that animals should have "freedom to express natural behaviour." While in Sweden, Cathy visited Angavallcn Farm, owned by Rolf Nordstrom. Mr. Nordstrom's farms were designed to "accommodate natural animal habits," says Dr. McNaughton. He wanted an environment that allowed the animals to behave in a normal way, with enough space to satisfy their needs to move freely, eat and drink whenever they want, and live outdoors. He advertises his pigs as "Health Pigs." These animals are unmedicated, so pneumonia and round worms are problems for this herd. It is also difficult to observe the animals when they are wandering free, says Dr. McNaughton. Farm operations arc highly subsidized in Norway and Sweden. In Norway, for example, legislation prevents farmers from having more than 35 sows, however, a 30 -sow operation is large enough to provide a decent living. In Canada, she says, "they are now saying you need 100 sows to make a living. Farmers here would love to be able to make a living with 30 sows." "I'm really worried about agri- culture here," says Dr. McNaughton. "For the investment, and the hours farmers must put in, the returns are pitiful." Pork producers will be able to learn more from Dr. McNaughton when she speaks at the Ontario Pork Congress later in June.O