The Rural Voice, 2000-06, Page 32The Axis -Air Blender
• Uniform temperature • Corrosion Resistant
• Easy maintenance • Uniform air pattern
With An AVC -5 Computerized Controller
• Integrated heater control • Programmable tempera-
ture reduction • High and low temperature alarms
Call Axis Products
1 -800 -833 -AXIS (2947)
See us at the
.Ontario Pork Congres .
Stratford Fairgrounds
June 22 8 23/00
Axis services Axis Air or Martin Air products
Axis Products Ltd.. Brodhagen Ont. NOK IB0 Fax (519) 345-2575
Hot Water Heat
Panels
Energy efficient.
Available in sizes for both farrowing and
weaner rooms.
Custom sizes also available.
Can be adapted to any flooring system.
Panels install quickly and simply
provides consistent, even heat.
For more information contact your local BSM Dealer:
ATWOOD
LENCO
SUPPLY LTD.
(519) 356-2282
TARA
H. NICHOLSON
& SON
(519) 934-2343
GRANTON
AVONBANK
FARM EQUIPMENT
(519) 225-2507
KINCARDINE/LUCKNOW
MAITLAND VALLEY
AGRI SYSTEMS LTD.
(519) 395-2615
MILDMAY
MIDWAY FARM
SYSTEMS
(519) 367-5358
WELLESLEY
PROGRESSIVE
FARMING
(519) 656-2709
DRAYTON
STRUYK FARM
EQUIPMENT LTD.
(519) 638-5076
WALTON
KEITH SIEMON
FARM SYSTEMS LTD.
(519) 345-2734
BSM Agri Ltd. R R n4 Arthur, ON. Canaaa NOG 1A0
Tel (519) 848-3910 Fax (519) 848-3948 Website: http://www.bsmagri.com
28 THE RURAL VOICE
"It is like paying for your farm all over
again."
Schlegel was elected to the Ontario
Pork board of directors in 1995 and
served'as a representative from Perth
County since the early '80s. At 42 he is
one of the youngest people to hold
down the.top position but was quick to
point out that the pork board is
currently characterized by youth, which
he feels good about.
That is an indication more directors
are still in the process of building their
businesses so they are acutely aware of
the problems involved and therefore
how best the pork board might address
them, said Schlegel. "You are better off
with people who don't have the time to
serve (on the board) rather than people
who look upon it as another job."
He described his role as that of a
"team leader". The board of directors is
responsible for providing vision and
focusing discussion on the pork
industry with the CEO carrying out the
plan that results.
Directors went behind closed doors
late last year to come up with a plan for
the industry that was revealed early in
the new year. Processors and some
producers alike were not all that
pleased and the issue would likely have
ended up in front of the provincial
Farm Products Marketing Commission
had it been put in place unilaterally,
said Schlegel.
"It depended on who you were as to
what part of the plan you didn't like."
The plan, which involves five key
areas — accessibility, transparency,
contract options, price setting system,
rules for operating Ontario Pork — is
being reworked in preparation for
further negotiations with all concerned.
Schlegel sees the main challenge for
the industry as avoiding the model that
is taking shape in the United States.
There the Targe hog processing
companies have taken control of many
of the farm operations, aided by last
year's slump in hog prices. "I think we
can avoid that but we have to be
courageous."
The board is working on new risk-
saare models and pricing schemes that
involve both processors and producers.
He noted that more family farms in
Ontario have money invested in the
processing sector than in western
Canada where the hog industry has
expanded rapidly in recent years.
Producers should have confidence
in what they are doing while at the
same time being aware what other
players across the continent are doing
as well, suggested Schlegel adding part