The Rural Voice, 1981-05, Page 47v4h/e ted`
1 here were 236 councilmen registered at the O.P.P.M.B. 1981
annual meeting March 18. The delegates dealt with 30
resolutions. five of which were withdrawn and 14 were defeated.
The remaining were as follows:
1. Stabilization programs to be limited to 2000 hogs or 100 sows
per year per farmer.
2. Field service to be provided at the county level.
3. The OPPMB to request the Ontario Minister of Agriculture to
implement a swine herd management course at Ridgetown.
4. Government inspection on all imported breeding stock to
include testing for P.S.S.
5. The OPPMB to move as quickly as possible toward a system of
payment at producers' option through direct deposit to a
producer's account through bank computers.
6. The OPPMB to contact the appropriate government officials
and demand immediate processing of outstanding applications
for federal stabilization.
7. The provincial stabilization board to have information more
clearly presented to all producers and OMAF staff.
8. The OPPMB to promote further research into the area of
occupational health.
9, The OPPMB request Quebec packers send all correspondence
in French and English.
10.A newsletter to be established listing activities carried on by
county associations.
11. The OPPMB to exert pressure to have government stop
strikes and walk -outs by veterinary inspectors.
12. A vote of gratitude to be given to Eric Alderson on his
retirement after long years of service with the OPPMB and the
Canadian Swine Council.
PERTH COUNTY PORK PRODUCERS' NEWS
OPPMB for county field service
Quotas contentious
The most contentious issue dealt with quotas and supply
management. This issue always crops up when prices are low
and it is usually quickly forgotten when conditions improve. This
time, however. the subject got support from a large number of
delegates. A resolution to ask the board to study the feasibility of
supply management was defeated by only a very small margin. A
high percentage of new. young. large-scale producers among the
delegates may account for the growing support for supply
management. Of course hardship caused by the dip in the cycle
is, aggravated by inflation and high interest rates. Though there
is nothing wrong with a mere study, delegates voting against it
felt that news of such a study would only strengthen rumors of
impending quotas and induce people to keep up production and
put up more new buildings to have a big foot in the door. if
quotas should be implemented.
, To those producers who worry that they may wake up one
morning and find themselves under some sort of supply
management. it may be pointed out here that at the present time
there is no legislation in place to bring in a supply management
system for hogs. To introduce it. a drawn-out legislative process
has to be set in motion, including public hearings and a vote by
all producers. In order to have quotas, the border has to be
closed. and that would involve the national system. Since Quebec
currently holds a large share of the national production, it is
doubtful eastern and western provinces would agree to freeze
production at present levels. In addition, since supply
management would result in the possible loss of most export
markets, and would require a drastic cutback in production, it is
doubtful moderately sized producers would favour cutbacks. It
may destroy the viability of their operations. Undoubtedly this
matter will nonetheless receive considerable discussion, and will
be further studied by all parties .concerned.
The directors of the county association met April 2. The main
topic of the meeting was the request by local producers and
truckers to have a new marketing yard established in Dublin.
Board members. the general manager and sales manager were
present to provide statistics and to explain board policy.
The 45 marketing yards in Ontario are all located within a 15
mile radius. Areas of low production have one day yards whereas
areas with higher production have multi day service. In addition
there are over 20 subassembly yards operated by truckers.
Last year the board had a long and bitter battle refusing a
similar request in Eastern Ontario, and cannot be expected to be
too keen to break with policy in this new request for an additional
yard.
Willi Keller, board member for Perth reported more stringent
tests for sulfa drugs in market hogs are conducted. Possible
detection of the drug can be costly to a producer involved. He
will be cut off from further shipment for three weeks, then for
several weeks shipments of five pigs only are allowed for further
testing. Regular shipments can only resume after these
samples are consistently free of sulfa contamination.
Quality
Swine
Performance
Tested
-WHERE THE SEARCH FOR QUAL ITV NEVER (NOB -
STOCK SALE
100 Crossbred gilts plus 25 Q.S. tested and approved
boars: Sold by public auction at Quality Swine
Headquarters, Shedden, on:
Thursday,May7
at 7:30 p.m.
For full information on the QUALITY SWINE PERFORM-
ANCE TESTING PROGRAMME and the proven tele -
auction marketing system of a high volume of uniform, top
quality, guaranteed weaner pigs, contact the Quality
Swine Co -Op Fieldman nearest you:
Norm Wilson (Fordwlchl 335-3127
Chris Hills (Mitchell] 348-9127
Or, Quality Swine Co -Op Headquarters, P.O. Box 53,
Shedden, Ontario NOL 2E0
15191764-2300
THE RURAL VOICE/MAY 1981 PG 45