The Rural Voice, 1992-03, Page 49PERTH �
County Pork Producers NEWSLETTER
John Crowley, President
R. R. 2, Gadshill, ON NOK 1J0 393-6403
The Rural Voice is provided to Perth
County Pork Producers by the PCPPA
ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
I wish I could tell you all something
you don't already know. 1991 has been
a very disappointing year for pork pro-
ducers. The industry analysts told us to
expect high prices this past summer.
Don't listen to these people. Prices
peaked in June (around Pork Congress
week, coincidental?) and have contin-
ued to slide downwards to the depres-
sion -era prices now received. Never in
my lifetime (and that is short) have I
seen prices this low. Looks like another
round of tripartite payments and
countervailing duties.
Some people blame the government
for these low prices, some blame the
board for their poor management of
affairs, while others blame it on any-
thing or anyone. I feel the government
(through lobbying from various farm
organizations) has supported agricul-
ture adequately. They have given us
Farm Tax Rebate, Interest Rate Reduc-
tion Program, Crop Insurance, GRIP,
NISA, National Tripartite" Stabiliza-
tion, Land Stewardship and the Perma-
nent Cover Program. Economic condi-
tions being what they are, I think they
have done their share.
I feel the Ontario Pork Producers'
Marketing Board (OPPMB) have
served their purpose this past year. We
have been told periodically that our
single desk selling system is the best
price discovery mechanism in the
world. Whenever we feel we have the
best, this is when we fall behind.
Diminishing returns, producer unrest
and the resolution process showed us
that change was needed for our industry
to survive the '90s, thus the Selling
System Review Committee was
formed. This committee held a number
of industry review meetings to arrive at
their recommendations. I think in
general these recommendations are a
step in the right direction to forming our
future. Under the new system, produc-
ers can contract their hogs, weigh them
for the sorted "B" pool, or simply do as
they always have. Time will tell how
our new system will work.
For the people who feel they have
the answers or can contribute towards
an even better solution, or would sim-
ply like to get involved, you have come
to the right place. Tonight there are
elections and we would be delighted if
many of you would let your name stand
to be a Perth county director. If we
don't have pride in our families, com-
munities, farms and functions, life gets
to be more of a burden. In our current
economic climate, for some of us, pride
is all we have left. We must unite and
strive for a more common goal rather
NEW EXECUTIVE NAMED
The executive committee of the
Perth Pork Producers' Association for
1992 is John Crowley, president; Harry
Bardoel, 1st vice-president; John Van
Nes, 2nd vice-president; Richard
Yantzi, secretary; Cinth Vogels, treas-
urer.
Pork producers in the county are
invited to contact any one of these
people if you have a concern or sugges-
tion about the marketing of our hogs by
the OPPMB. As well, if you have any
suggestions about the local efforts our
association is or could be involved in, "
let the same people know. Better yet,
ask for time on the agenda for our
monthly meeting and then all 39 direc-
tors could participate.
The PCPPA represents you at many
functions and events. If you are unfa-
miliar with the association, please con-
tact our secretary or one of the direc-
tors.
Reminder: if you don't promote
your product whenever you can, don't
expect anyone else to.0
than being a splintered effort. Being a
director is one way of achieving a
united goal.
I have enjoyed being president of
the Perth County Pork Producers for
the past two years. It has been a reward-
ing experience during which I have met
a lot of new people, experienced new
situations, exchanged many thoughts
and acquired friendships I will treasure
for years. I would like to thank all the
people who supported me this past
year, the Board in Toronto, our county
rep. John Lichti, the OMAF staff, and
of course the Perth County directors of
whom I am proud.
Special thanks to our executive who
have worked so diligently this past
year. To my wife Nancy, who always
seems to come last on my list, thanks
for your support and understanding.
Let's band together for a successful
1992.0
Vince llulshof
president
PORK
PRODUCTS
available from
ALFRED YOUNG
348-9352
DENNIS ZEHR
595-4771
FRED DE MARTINEZ
393-6812
MARTIN VAN BAKEL
345-2666
WAYNE HARTUNG
291-4038
MARCH 1992 45