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The Rural Voice, 1998-07, Page 23specific mandates. Under board regulations it isn't allowed to provide investment information to producers. "Under the current mandate, the board can't get involved in processing and grading because it is non-profit," said Mike Westendorp the marketing manager of the board. "It (the board) could change down the road, it could become profit - oriented." The Ontario Egg Marketing Board is based on a system of supply management. Their job is to ensure that egg producers receive their costs of production plus a reasonable return on their investments, while customers are assured a constant supply of eggs at a stable price. The board is mandated to produce enough eggs to supply the demand in the province. If they can't meet the demand they import eggs from other provinces or from the U.S. The processor buys the eggs from the marketing agency. For Brian Durst, who maintains a flock of 18,000 laying hens in Clinton, showing an interest in the processing industry just makes sense. While an increasing number of eggs are being used for processing, those "It's a scary situation for a producer to be in." eggs sell for less. As it stands now, Brian produces 8-9,000 dozen eggs per week and receives $1.20/dozen from the egg board. For Durst and a lot of other egg producers there are two options; one is to lower the cost of putting eggs into processing and the other is to develop products that will be sold for more money. The second option looks more profitable to them—but it isn't just about money, it has to do with control. "No one can agree on how fast the margin of industrial eggs is going to grow," said Durst. "It is a scary situation for a producer to be in. Everything looks toward increasing that margin." Durst's outlook is realistic. He said that while it may take a few years for the co-op to break into the industrial egg market, "the co-op is pro -active," and that is worth a lot in the future.0 JULY 1998 19 44 *Af "Your Total Authorized CHRYSLER Regional Dealer" Serving Kincardine. Ripley, Tiverton, Port Elgin & Southampton Huron Shores ©Sales CHRYSLER Leasing Discover The Difference ©Service At Huron Shores! ©parts GOLD% r AVIS CAR & TRUCK RENTAL W 396-1800 - Kincardine e are famous for our LOW PRICES and GREAT SERVICE OUT OF TOWN RESERVATIONS 396-5000 (CORNER OF HWY 9 & 21) KINCARDINE 1-800.720-9917 832-3333 - Port Elgin 1-800-701-9455 PRESEISOM DISCO(IMTS ON GRAIN BINS, DRYERS AND FEED TANKS G51 THE COMPETITION MIGHT MATCH (tom PRICES - BUT THEY CAN'T MATCH 'S EXPERT INSTALLATION & SERVICE (At) (AIMAR) GRAIN SYSTEMS LTD. 131 THAMES RD. W., EXETER, ONTARIO NOM 1S3 519-235-1919 or call Brad Marsden, evenings 519-235-2018