The Rural Voice, 1987-12, Page 78PERTH COUNTY Pork Producers NEWSLETTER
Porkfest '87
This was a well organized, fully at-
tended, enjoyable event. It was also
successful financially.
However, more support is needed
from the Stratford Hotel and Restaurant
Association if this event is to continue.
Unless this group increases its promo-
tion of Porkfest, the objective of pro-
moting pork to the urban consumer
cannot be met. The present trend is for
Porkfest to become another social event
for the farm community, in which case
the preaching is to the converted.
County Barrow Show
This is a good, competitive event
which is showing increasing popularity
among 4-H Swine Club members. Six-
teen barrows were shown at the Mitchell
Fall Fair. The top three prizes went to
Todd Faucett of the Shakespeare club
and Joe Otten and Robert Boville of the
Mitchell club.
Prize money for this event was made
available by the OPPMB through the
local association. The Perth County
Pork Producers also help pay the
trucking costs of any local 4-H member
competing in the Junior Barrow show at
the Royal Winter Fair.
IPM, 1987
Organizers are to be congratulated
for a successful event despite the dis-
tance to this year's IPM. Of interest is
the report from all food booths that
consumption was down even though
crowds were greater this year. Despite
this, booth personnel sold 170 boxes of
pork chops and 20 boxes of Rib -O -Pork.
IPM, 1988
There were two major proposals
made for next year. The first was to
make the booth more conspicuous with
additional signs. Secondly, since the
1988 IPM is in Perth County, the
PCPPA and its barbecue committee are
discussing plans for a more comprehen-
sive display incorporating educational
material, among other things.
OMAF
Ken McEwan, farm management
specialist, demonstrated the new com-
76 THE RURAL VOICE
David Whitney, Brunner, 595-4091
puter program BEAR (Budgeting, En-
terprise, and Analyzing Risk). Under
this program, the Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture and Food will come to your
farm with a portable computer and do a
financial and management analysis of
your farm enterprise. Farmers must
provide production and financial infor-
mation. OMAF will be setting up work-
shops on BEAR this winter in two loca-
tions in Perth County.
Winter Programs
The PCPPA encourages all pork
producers to take advantage of as many
educational programs as possible this
winter. Especially recommended is the
Excellence in Swine Production series
sponsored by the PCPPA and five other
county associations and OPIIP.
County Annual Meeting
This meeting will be held January
22,1988 at the Stratford Coliseum. Start
thinking now and doing some research
for resolutions you would like to submit
at this meeting.
1988 Bonspiel
Plans are underway. Contact Bob
Davey at 347-2773 if you wish to regis-
ter early. This is a popular event and the
rinks are always full. Men's, women's,
or mixed teams are all welcome.
Deadstock Removal
In October, a conference call was
arranged between James Murray, owner
of Oxford Deadstock Removal Ltd., and
Gordon Jack, John Lichti, and Clare
Schlegel of the PCPPA.
Mr. Murray was questioned regard-
ing his policy of charging $5 for removal
of any animal carcass under 100 pounds.
He stated that as this represented a
money-losing proposition for him, he
felt justified in levying this charge.
Despite close questioning to obtain
figures backing up this statement, Mr.
Murray refused to supply any corrobo-
ration.
Future action contemplated is re-
search of the act governing deadstock
removal and also the conditions under
which a licence is issued for this activ-
ity. These may contain implications
regarding the levying of any monetary
charge.
The test of a letter obtained from Mr.
Murray appears below.
David F. Whitney
Re: Perth County Pork Producers
Dear Sir:
Effective February 1, 1987 we have been charging to pick
up any pig under 100 lbs. Small pigs, bags and freezers are
picked up free of charge as long as there is a pig or sow over
the 100 lb. limit. We postponed charging for as long as possible
but the cost of gasoline and labour far exceeds the amount we
receive for a dead pig.
At this time we would like to ask all farmers that put
cleanings and email pigs in bags to please not put any dis-
carded needles, syringes, medicine bottles, etc. in the bag.
When our drivers pick up a bag with a needle sticking out of
the side, it can lead to quite a cut. When they are handling
this type of material, a cut could lead to many complications
(compensation, etc.).
Thank you for your time and interest in this matter.
Yours truly,
JameaL-Murray
President/Operator
P.S. In conclusion, we would like to be able to provide this
service and be able to get along with everyone.