The Rural Voice, 1998-06, Page 73PERTH vitic
County Pork Producers NEWSLETTER
John Nyenhuis, President
519-393-6539
' The Rural Voice is provided to Perth
County Pork Producers by the PCPPA
Tractor -daydreaming about the pork industry
Any opinions expressed herein may
not necessarily reflect the views of
the Perth County Pork Producers'
Association.
There is nothing like a good lunch,
hot sun, and a corn planter to set a
person to thinking (or daydreaming).
As I plant corn my mind drifts back
to the annual meeting in Toronto. The
task force discussions were
emotional, for and against the
recommendation. The discussion
centred on marketing of hogs but
what about the political side of these
"what ifs?"
"What if" the corn I plant in April
grows well — it may be too big to
survive a frost in June. El Nino may
cause a drought or weeds may take
over the field. As a cash cropper I can
use crop insurance to reduce my risk.
Whether drought, insects, hail, acts of
God or poor management cause a
poor crop, crop insurance will help
buffer the bad times. The government
even helps to pay half my premium
cost.
A hog producer has no such
vehicle for risk. With today's
advances in the hog industry (ie.
vaccines, all-in/all-out, SEW, better
feeds) why not health insurance for
hogs? With good records it could be
done. This could cover FC and ADG
Ontario Pork
Congress
25th Anniversary
June 25 & 26
in Stratford
Theme: A Glimpse of
Yesterday and a Vision
of Tomorrow.
instead of bushels per acre. Five year
averages could be used. Hogs and
corn match up well, BPA is made up
of quality seed, fertilizer, weed
control and weather. FC and ADG
are made up of genetics, feed quality,
health, management and weather.
Both suffer from Acts of God, such
as drought or hail or PRRS and
Pneumonia . . . why not? Well,
maybe I'm dreaming!
"What if" the government were to
help packing plants as they do
ethanol plants? Retooled packing
plants could help to offset the basis
rise in corn to the hog industry
caused by the ethanol industry.
Probably never happen — I must be
dreaming.
"What if" it were economically
feasible to keep Ontario feeder pigs
from leaving to the U.S.?
Approximately 10,000 pigs per week
times 16 weeks equals 160,000 pig
places. A building boom of 160 new
finishing barns. Production up to
90,000 hogs in short order.
Nah! It would never happen. Must
he dreaming!
What if the following numbers
could he used to build an industry
vision. In the winter these were ISU's
cost of production numbers.
Iowa Mcga 15 S/cwt
Traditional Iowa 39 S/cwt
North Carolina Mcga 17-39 S/cwt
Traditional (Non Iowa) ...42-44 S/cwt
Brazil 3K S/cwt
Denmark 54 S/cwt
Mexico 5g S/cwt
Ontario 41-44 ''?
We are not the lowest cost hut we
can he competitive with most of the
world. Denmark is only competitive
in the export market with subsidies.
Industry vision? Aah, must be
dreaming.
Ouch!! just bruised nay chin on the
steering wheel. Luckily these rows of
corn cannot be seen from the road.
Have a great summcr.0
Submitted by. lint 1'an Nes
PERTH COUNTY
PORK PRODUCERS'
PORK PRODUCTS
• Smoked Pork Chops • Fresh Pork Chops
• Stuffed Loin Chops • Smoked Sausage
• Smoked Cheddar Sausage
• Bacon Burgers • Teriyaki Pork Steaks
• Vittorio's BBQ Sauce
AVAILABLE FROM:
Fred de Martines (Sebr.) 393-6812
Martin van Bakel (Dublin) 347-2666
Walter Bosch (Monkton) 356-9000
Ted Keller (Mitchell) 348-9836
JUNE 1998 69