The Rural Voice, 1987-01, Page 64NEWSLETTER — Perth County Pork Producers
Garry Van Loon, R. R. 2, Dublin, Ontario NOK 1 EO
"HOME -FED GRAINS"
AND STABILIZATION
Thank you John Wise for inclu-
ding "home -fed grains" in the recently
announced special Canadian grains
program. It makes us feel as though
we are also considered grain producers.
But producers feeding grain to
livestock have been excluded from the
Agricultural Stabilization Board pro-
gram. Yet commercial grain producers
and grain producers feeding their crops
have the same costs to produce those
crops and the same opportunities to
market those crops through a value-
added system such as livestock, or a
non -value-added system.
This discriminating policy and
poor business philosophy implement-
ed by the government will erode the
ecologically sound practice of live-
stock -based family farm production
units. It is not double stabilization
that we are looking for, but fairness to
all grain producers.
It would be in our best interest as
corn and livestock producers to become
members of the OCPA and pay our
fair share of the costs involved in that
organization — the OCPA should be
representing all corn producers, not
only the commercial side, and an effort
should be made to be well -represented
at its annual meeting in February in
London. Producers should be prepared
to write their MPs and other govern-
ment bodies to voice their concerns
about this inequity.
The past six months have been
very good for pork producers and a
good opportunity for "catching up."
Our interests are now turning toward
the challenges of 1987. From the
Perth County Pork Producers I send
you best wishes for a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year.O
Garry Van Loon
Highlights from the
OPPMB
Tripartite Stabilization
Starting in the first week of Jan-
uary, the fee for the federal Tripartite
Stabilization Program will increase
from $2.90 to $3.70 per hog. The in-
crease will keep the producers' premi-
um of 2.5 per cent of current prices.
60 THE RURAL VOICE
Historically, programs of this na-
ture require a total premium amount-
ing to 7.5 per cent of the gross value
of the hog. In tripartite the producer
pays 1/3 of the premium or 2.5 per
cent of current hog prices. The prem-
ium increase is necessary to ensure
future payments.
Marketing Fee Change
Following the monthly financial
review at the December meeting, the
board resolved to lower the marketing
fee from 1.1 per cent to 1.0 per cent.
The board decided that the fee reduction
would take place on January 5.
No Producer Money in New
Packing Plant
A farm newspaper recently reported
that OPPMB Chairman Tom Smith
said there would be producer money in
Ontario's new packing plant. This is
not correct. The new packer is a pri-
vate firm and there is no board or
producer involvement.
"Percy" is the Perth County Pork Producers' "Big Pig." Along with Percy on the
decorated float are Kim Stock, Pork Hostess, Paul Dietrich, 4-H club member, and
some live chunks. Unfortunately, the picture does not capture the pair of mini-
Percherons pulling the float in the 1986 Oktoberfest Parade on Thanksgiving
Monday. There were many good comments and the children were delighted. Our
float was among other floats that had a $50,000 budget to work with. Many
thanks to those who spent hours on preparations and care of Percy. Thanks also
to Bob Osborn for the use of those beautiful horses. — Garry Van Loon
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