The Rural Voice, 1986-08, Page 62NEWSLETTER - Perth County Pork Producers
Garry Van Loon, R.R. 2, Dublin, Ontario NOK 1E0
U.S.D.A Hogs and Pigs Report
The 50 State report for June 1
says the numbers of all hogs and
pigs are down 7 per cent and
breeding stock are down a whop-
ping 9 per cent from a year ago.
Pork storage statistics, for both
Canada and the U.S. show that
volumes of red meat in storage are
down from a year ago.
The futures market responded
by being up the limit (June 25) on
both beef and pork for all contract
periods. Corn prices were down 4
cents.
"In Ontario, hog shipments
have been down about 6 per cent,
according to Iry Stinson, OPPMB
Sales Manager, "the U.S. report
comes almost as a shock to the
market which has reacted by trying
to maintain planned kills." The
result is that prices have increased.
The June pork price will be in the
$184-185 range, up $26 over the
May pork price. The pool price for
the week of June 23 is expected to
be over $190. "We have had three
weeks of these numbers," says Iry
Stinson, "and they could continue
for another week or two yet."
The decline in hog numbers may
be bottoming out, according to
Ag. Canada economist Larry
Young. Hog sex surveys and sow
kill numbers point to some build
up in breeding herd inventories.
$54 Million for Pork Industry
On June 17, provincial Agricul-
ture Minister Jack Riddell an-
nounced a $54 -million program for
Ontario's pork industry. In his an-
nouncement, Riddell stressed the
program is designed to improve ef-
ficiency and profitability and not
encourage more production.
OPPMB Chairman Tom Smith
said he was very pleased with the
announcement.
He described it as a self-help
program which can help producers
become much more competitive.
He added that he was encouraged
by the government's obvious com-
mitment to the industry.
The program will be in two
parts. The Ontario Pork Industry
Improvement Plan will receive
most of the funds and is designed
to help producers. It will include
capital assistance grants for things
like ventilation, loading facilities,
and scales. Grants will also be
available for financial and produc-
tion analysis, feed analysis, and
producer education. There will
also be help for rodent control,
caesarian, or embryo transfers,
private veterinary services, and
eventually for restocking.
Riddell also said the R.O.P. pro-
gram will be expanded and there
will be more emphasis on artifical
insemination. The program con-
tains a large research component
for disease control, product quali-
ty and artificial insemination. The
second part of the program is
designed to stimulate the packing
industry. Funds will be available
for market research, plant
upgradings, and new technology.
The government will also place
more emphasis on export develop-
ment.
Riddell said that the OPPMB's
"Future of the Industry Study"
had pinpointed many of these
areas when it was released in 1984.
He added that his ministry had
worked closely with the OPPMB
on many of these items.
None of the details have been
released so far. The minister has
appointed an advisory committee
to help draw up the plan and it is
expected most of the programs will
be announced by the Fall. The pro-
gram became effective April 1,
1986 and application forms should
be available by October.
Pork Congress
The Board has sent a letter of
congratulation to the Pork Con-
U.S.D.A. HOGS & PIGS INVENTORY: 10 STATE
°Io Change
Dec/85 Mar/86 June/86 3 Month 6 Month
1,000 head
41,100 38,600 38,045 -1.4
5,258 4,988 4,840 -3.0
35,842 33,612 33,205 -1.2
All hogs & pigs
Breeding
Market
-7.6
-8.0
-7.4
60 1HE RURAL VOICE
gress executive and the many other
volunteers for another successful
Congress. One benefit for the
Board was the visit to the head of-
fice by Daphne Peer, OMAF
Swine Specialist and Dr. Vernon
Fowler from Scotland. Dr. Fowler
was one of the speakers at the Con-
gress. He believes a sales system
like the OPPMB system could be
of great benefit to Scottish pro-
ducers.
Research Committee
The Research Committee will be
evaluating on August 19 and 20
projects for funding in 1986-87.
To -date 25 proposals have been
received, including some on
mycotoxins and aerated manure
systems. The Committee, under
the Chairmanship of Jim Duffy
will review the projects in August
and recommend those selected for
funding for approval at the next
full meeting of the Board.
OPPMB Semi -Annual Meeting
The OPPMB Semi -Annual
Meeting will be held in Toronto's
Skyline Hotel on Thursday,
September 1 lth. The one day ses-
sion is designed to keep the
Board's 251 elected producer
delegates and the secretaries and
presidents of the 43 county
associations abreast of recent
developments.
Launching of Pork Steak Cam-
paign
The Ramada Hotel - Don Valley
was the scene of an outdoor
barbecue luncheon featuring pork
steaks on Thursday, June 19th.
Ernst Walder, Corporate Head
Chef of Ramada Canada supervis-
ed preparation of the menu for in-
vited guests from the media and
food industry.
We were pleased with the atten-
dance by media representatives.
Bill Harrington of C.B.C. T.V. did
a feature story which was aired on
the six and eleven o'clock news
that evening.
The pork steak campaign is well
underway throughout Ontario.
Retailers will be featuring pork
steaks throughout the summer
barbecue season and food service
operations are adding them to their
means. ❑
OPPMB Newsletter