The Rural Voice, 2005-04, Page 65PERTH Wolk
County Pork Producers NEWSLETTER
Russ Danbrook, President
519-356-2385
• The Rural Voice is provided to Perth
County Pork Producers by the PCPPA.
First impressions of Ontario Pork's annual meeting
The opinions expressed below are the
opinions of the author and do not
necessarily reflect the views of the
Perth County Pork Producers.
As one of the newer councillors at
the Perth County Pork Producers'
meetings, I decided to join the
Communications Committee and so,
here I sit, facing my first printing
deadline and typing feverishly while
the events of the past few days in
Toronto are fresh in my mind. The
Ontario Pork Annual General
Meeting seemed to have the potential
to provide good fodder for this first
venture into the written word.
Heading to the AGM, I was
assessing my expectations for the two
days and, for the benefit of you guys
that may have seen it all so often you
may overlook what's there. I thought
I'd give you the impressions of a
newbie to the scene. I look forward to
many more AGM's in the future, next
year in London rather than Toronto.
when I will have the feeling of a
veteran, not a rookie.
I expected to find sociable
camaraderie among the producers
and a renewing of old friendships.
Absolutely, this was in strong
evidence all over. It was great to see
the presentations to past Board
members and industry leaders who
formed our organization into what it
is today. We stand on the shoulders
of the giants who went before us.
The buzz, actually the roar, of
conversation carried on between the
sessions and at the dinner tables
spoke of the fine fellowship that we,
as producers of hogs in Ontario, are
able to enjoy. The joking and
laughter created a very pleasant
atmosphere that was hound to be
productive.
I expected to hear zealous
speeches about issues that threaten
our industry. This truly was the case
as topics ranging from the anti-
dumping case, to empowerment of
the Board, to the West Hawk Lake
Border initiative, to organic pork,
brought out the energy and emotions
in us all. It speaks volumes about the
commitment that producers have to
their industry and their way of life.
Frustration. challenge, even anger,
yes, but not despair or surrender or
even acceptance of things that are not
good for hog production in Ontario.
Sure, we may differ in our opinions
on what or how something needs to
be done, but the dialogue and
discussion makes our industry
vibrant.
I appreciated our Chairman. Larry
Skinner's opening remarks on
governance and the statement that
"individual choices need to be
subordinate to the good of the
whole." Surely we are stronger in a
position of unity. Why would we
want to go hack 50 years to division
and secrets?
I expected some excellent
presentations by speakers and one
that really stands out to me was Mark
McConnell's trade action defense
update. He struck me as a very
professional man who had done his
homework. Hopefully his optimism
on the presentations they made in
Washington is well founded and we
are due to get a bunch of our money
back. It must be conceded though.
that this problem will not go away
and the protectionism that the U.S. is
displaying is a sign of things to come.
We need to manage this reality and
continue to look for other markets. as
was presented.
There seemed to be in evidence
some division between producers
who are members of 3P Conestoga
and those who are not. Some
challenges in the past have created
hurts that need to be addressed and
think Larry handled it quite well in
saying that we all hope 3P succeeds
as it will benefit the whole industry.
We have only to look to the
repercussions of the failure of West
Perth or the re -incarnated Newco
Pork to realize that the more hook
spaces in Ontario the better. Having
Conestoga process hogs means there
is that much more competition out
there for all of us.
Well. not too much inflammatory
stuff in here. I don't expect to be
getting nasty phone calls or even
nasty looks for this one. but 1 don't
expect a Pulitzer either. Just getting
my feet wet at a new. unfamiliar job
and I expect to get a little more
opinionated as I get comfortable with
it.
r I expected to be happy to get
home...and that sure was the case!
Getting back to my family and the
farm. even after only two days away
in Toronto made me grateful for what
I have. We owe a debt of thanks to all
our Board members for the time they
give to the work they do for us.
— Submitted by Ron Von Bakal
PERTH COUNTY PORK PRODUCERS'
PORK PRODUCTS
• Smoked Pork Chops • Fresh Pork Chops • Stuffed Loin Chops
• Smoked Sausage • Smoked Cheddar Sausage • Bacon Burgers
• Teriyaki Pork Steaks • Vittorio's BBQ Sauce
Steve Hulshof (Kinkora) .
Walter Bosch (Monkton) .
Ted Keller (Mitchell) . .
AVAILABLE FROM'
348-8167
356-9000
348-9836
APRIL 2005 61