The Rural Voice, 1992-12, Page 65PERTH irtog
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.
Pork Producers must have a board they have faith in
When it comes to memorable
seasons the fall of 1992 will stand out
as one to remember. As I look out
my kitchen window at the snow
covered corn crop, I cannot help but
wonder if Christmas will arrive
before harvest.
While combining, the World
Series has traditionally helped pass
the long nights behind the wheel of a
combine. It seems like ancient
history since the Blue Jays were
declared champions, but despite the
media and fans second guessing, the
Jays finished their most successful
season with a flourish. It was
obvious throughout that the manager
and players were under intense
pressure to succeed to the limit of
their capabilities or risk the chance of
being fired or, in the players' case,
being traded or unsigned. The
bottom line is, the game is run as a
business.
What does all this have to do with
Pork Producers? I personally believe
a lot can be learned from the Blue
Jays' success. When a team has
confidence and trust in itself and its
abilities it can accomplish what it sets
Wishing all of you
a Merry Christmas
and a prosperous
New Year
out to do. Confidence and trust is
what is sorely lacking between
producers and the board.
Producers generally distrust the
Board's commitment to them.
Grassroots sentiment believes the
board favours the Canadian Packers
and generally keeps us in the dark
about the profitability of shipping
hogs south of the border. Articles in
farm newspapers by producers seem
to assert that the price received south
of the border is more profitable in
spite of countervailing costs. The
board denies this and says the farmers
twist their figures. Who is telling the
truth? I don't know, but uncertainty
breeds mistrust, and we can't afford
to keep a marketing system that
people mistrust when we are at a cost
disadvantage with the American
farmer to start out with. Is our
marketing system dead? No, I don't
think so, but it is in need of an
overhaul. I believe we need new
dynamic leadership that the producer
has trust and confidence in.
As evidenced by the recent GM
executive shakeup, management must
be accountable and profitable to the
shareholders. Our elected directors
should insist on this from our board.
We need management people who
are dynamic and forward thinking,
people we can look to for ideas, and
who will work for us, their employ-
ers. As disadvantaged competitors
with our southern neighbours we
cannot be afraid of change at the top.
Without trust and confidence in our
leaders, co-operative marketing will
and should die. Our directors are
elected and are therefore open to
questions come election time. If we
as producers do not like their results,
it is our responsibility to find
replacements. Our directors in turn
must demand excellence from our
employees. It's the only way they
and we, as producers, can survive.
As a whole, things look grim for
the Ontario producer. Our leaders
must gain our trust and confidence, to
help us maintain our share of the
North American market. It's the real
world out there. We, as producers and
players, have met and beaten a lot of
challenges, and we expect the same
of management. It's a very tough
job. Producers know that, but it can
be done, and it has its rewards. Just
ask Cito!
A Personal View
John Van Nes
Annual Meeting
Thursday, January 28, 1993
PORK PRODUCTS
AVAILABLE FROM:
Wayne Hartung at 291-4038
Alfred Young at 348-9352
Fred DeMartines at 393-6812
Martin Van Bakel at 345-2666
Dennis Zehr at 595-4771
DECEMBER 1992 61