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The Rural Voice, 1985-01, Page 46PERTH COUNTY PORK PRODUCERS' ASSOC. Weaner-Finisher Split in Stabilization - Board Position The impending tripartite stabiliza- tion program will be available to both weaner producers and finishers in Ontario. Farrow to finish operators participate by joining both part of the program. Ontario is the only province to offer this option. All other par- ticipating provinces will have stab il- ization on the finished hog only. The Board is recommending the government split the program, 65 per cent for finishers and 35 per cent for weaner producers. Finishers, for in- stance, would pay 65 per cent of the regular premium and receive 65 per cent of the regular pay out. The Board decided on the 35 per cent - 65 per cent split because it is close to both the 40 per cent - 60 per cent recommended by the Ontario Weaner Pig Committee and the traditional split of 33-1/3 per cent - 662/3 per cent. Farm Safety The OPPMB presented a brief to the Ontario Task Force on Occupa- tional Health and Safety in Agricul- ture. The task force, a joint project of the Ministries of Agriculture and Food, and Labour, was set up to ex- amine the need for protecting the oc- cupational health and safety of peo- ple working in agriculture. Director Adrian Vos presented the brief on behalf of the Board, at a hearing held at the Holiday Inn, Guelph, on December 4. Farm health and safety has been of long time interest to the OPPMB. The Board commissioned the Univer- sity of Toronto to conduct two studies on the health of hog pro- ducers. A survey of over 600 farms was followed by an in-depth com- parison of hog -confinement pro- ducers- to other hog producers. In general, bruising, skin disorders, respiratory problems and hearing loss were major complaints. Knees were particularly susceptible to injury. Lost time injuries for hog pro- ducers, as reported by the Workers' Compensation Board, support the Board's research findings. Cuts, bruises, breaks, fractures, disloca- tions, strains and sprains make up 86 per cent of the lost time injuries to hog producers. Surprisingly 42 per cent of the reported injuries were sus- tained by the 16-25 age groups. Another 27 per cent by the 26-35 age group. One of the University of Toronto reports said "... accidental injury rate in the preceding three years was about 9/100 workers/year compared to 7/100 for manufactur- ing and 10.5 for construction workers in Ontario in 1982." Given that the hog producers recorded all ailments for this study "leaves one with the impression that pork production is not likely associated with a significantly greater risk of accidental injury than is found in other principal industrial operation." For all that, one injury is more than anyone needs. The Board strongly supports the approach of research and education in tackling the farm health and safety issues. It is strongly opposed to un- necessary regulations believing that any attempt to impose blanket regula- tions upon the industry would prove to be of little benefit. Because safety in the agricultural sector depends en- tirely on the individual's knowledge and commitment to safe operating procedures, the Board believes that education must be the major mechanism for promoting safety and awareness of occupational health hazards. Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario Doug Farrell, director and past chairman of the OPPMB, will replace Sid Fraleigh of Forest as a member of the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario. The Institute is responsible for reviewing research programs at the ministry's colleges of agricultural technology, horticultural, agri- cultural, and research stations. The Institute makes recommendations to the Minister of Agriculture and Food to ensure that these programs meet Perth County Pork Producers' Association ANNUAL MEETING Friday, January 25, 1985 11 a.m. Ted Jenson, chairman of the Note new time Future of the Industry Study Stratford Coliseum will be on hand. 44 THE RURAL VOICE the needs of Ontario agriculture. Congratulations, Doug! From the County Barrow Show Your association, with financial assistance from the OPPMB, spon- sors a barrow show open to all county 4-H swine club members. This year, Linda Knechtel had the champion barrow and Nancy Knechtel was the champion showman. Paul Dietrich had the reserve champion barrow and was the reserve champion showman. This competition, held at the Strat- ford Fair every year, has suffered from a lack of participation from other than local 4-H clubs. Next year it will be held at the Mitchell Fair to try and generate wider interest. Pro- spective participants please note tha, $200 in prize money is split between the winners and the other com- petitors. Worthy Causes At the last meeting, the directors voted to donate, from the Barbecue account (this is the money to raise from running the barbecue), $500 to the Spare Lodge building fund and $500 for Ethiopian relief via the Men- nonite Central Committee. About the Annual Meeting As indicated in last months Rural Voice magazine, our Annual Meeting will be on January 25 in the Stratford Coliseum at 11 a.m., not at 12 noon as in previous years. In addition to reports from the OPPMB, Ted Jensen, chairman of the Future of the Industry Study will be on hand. We have asked that, rather than go over the whole Study, he concentrate on the marketing section. We urge all producers to obtain a summary of the Future of the Industry Study before the annual meeting so they can come prepared for a meaningful discussion. Phone the Board at 416-621-1874 tc order your copy. It is very important that you get your tickets early for this meeting so we can ensure we have the right amount of food on hand. Down the road February 14: Pork day at Perth County Ag. Week (The Supply Man- agement section of the Future of the Industry Study will be discussed.) March 6: Swine Herd Health Day. See a county director for tickets. April 12 & 13: Guelph Swine Sym- posium.