The Rural Voice, 1993-12, Page 651
PERTH
County Pork Producers NEWSLETTER
John Crowley, President
R.R. 2, Gadshill, ON NOK 1J0 393-6403
• The Rural Voice is provided to Perth
County Pork Producers by the PCPPA.
The opinion expressed within does
not necessarily reflect the view of
Perth County Pork Producers'
Association.
Stats Canada has shown per capita
pork consurption to be 22.4 kg, up
nine per cent from 1990.
Concurrently, the Canadian Pork
Nutrient Study shows Canadian pork
to be leaner than 1986 and leaner
than American pork. The loin center
cut and inside leg showed a 42 per
cent and 47 per cent reduction in fat
since 1986.
Pork promotion via a big recipe
program from Canada Pork is
emphasizing the new nutrient data,
nutritiousness, versatility and health.
The recipe card program should be
obvious at your grocery store.
Also, the Ontario breeders are
making faster genetic progress than
most of the other organizations
involved in genetic improvement in
the world. Since 1980, the economic
value of various breeds improved
between $5.52 to $11.48 per hog due
to genetics. Commercial producers
increase a market pig worth about $2
for every reduced millimeter of
backfat and $0.40 for each day faster
the pig reaches market.
HOG INDUSTRY STUDY GROUP
Three representatives from the
packer and producers have submitted
their final report (available by calling
the Board). Their main objective was
to determine how the Indiana and
Illinois price represented the Ontario
average price. Although the Illinois
and Indiana quoted prices are a
barometer of the price, the number of
hogs sold live via this route in the
U.S. is decreasing as the higher
quality hogs are being sold direct to
packer usually on a carcass merit
program. Each packer has their own
unique grading grid and they can
identify different lean per centages
with the same type of hog. USDA
grading does little to distinguish
between superior and inferior hogs.
The average hog in the U.S. is sold
between 240 to 260 lb. live with an
Pork consumption up
average lean of 49 per cent. Ontario
hogs are 51 per cent to 52 per cent
lean. The U.S. farm size is increasing
very rapidly, thus hogs through a
terminal market are diminishing
rapidly and may follow the route of
the "dinosaur".
BOARD RESTRUCTURING
The Stratford Regional Meeting
challenged the OPPMB's Task Force
on restructuring (again)! The
difference was based on the
recommended reduction of the
number of Board Directors per
producer, thus questioning the quick
adaptability to policy. Change was
deemed necessary and the
communications and cost cutting
methods were endorsed. The quick
response to policy development was
referred to further study.
TRIPARTITE TO END
The National Tripartite
Stabilization Program (NTSP) is to
terminate no later than March 31,
1994, according to the Committee
and signatories. This means that each
province can end the program when
their fund balance is zero.
PERSONAL VIEWS
There is a lot of speculation about
hog prices at this time and very
justifiably. I still maintain if you do
not know your cost of production,
don't waste your time speculating
prices.
Throughout North America we
have seen a lot of large hog
operations specializing not only per
commodity but also per stage of
production, per carcass qualities and
towards a regional market demand.
We can only continue to track the old
corn/hog ratio but the ratio (18)
where expansion or contraction takes
place, may be different in 1993 with
all the consolidation and strategic
alliances.
Regardless, we must keep our
vision globally and never be
complacent. Our communication
skills, networking and team approach
as a small industry in Ontario need
definite improvement. Just look at
the way we communicate with our
customers — the packers. How long
would you deal with your supplier,
whether it be seed, equipment or feed
if the supplier (1) accused you of
making too much money; (2) sold
you a product then graded its quality;
(3) had you put up a bond and
financial statement just to do business
with them; (4) accused you of not
investing in your customers; and (5)
would not tell how much product you
are going to be shorted on the next
delivery. Any one of these
accusations would send the
salesperson on their derriere by the
mere mention. Yet we do this to our
packers all the time.
We just hate giving up our
independence because we fear
dependence. Stages of maturity go
from dependent to independent to
interdependent. We have to stop
treating each other as enemies and
see the real competition. We need to
look at the interdependent alliances
that are occurring as our competition.
It is not a judgment of what is right or
wrong but rather a question of how to
remain competitive. It's foolish to
think one can do it alone.0
Richard Smelski
Pork Products available
from:
Wayne Hartung
at 291-4038
Alfred Young
at 348-9352
Fred DeMartines
at 393-6812
Martin VanBakel
at 345-2666
Dennis Zehr
at 595-4771
DECEMBER 1993 61