Decmeber 23, 1998
re: Wake up
I heard an insightful comment this week. Our favourite packer is actually buying our industry out from under us with our own money. Think about it. At least part of the huge profit being made by not paying producers a fair price, is being re-invested. They have a known investment and control of two loops and at least some of the stories of other investments must be true. Keep watching them!
Huron County
Decmeber 22, 1998
re: Perth meeting
That's what takers do. They take and they take but never contribute. A good match for one of the major packers. I encourage all producers and Industry partners to speak up and be heard or they'l take our industry very quickly. The chicken industry had a crisis years ago in the United States and look what happened to them.
Decmeber 21, 1998
re: Survey
The following messages came through loud and clear from the people that participated in the survey.
1) The Quebec Asra program to be thoroughly studied and how it may apply in Ontario. This program appears to have all the qualities that we are searching for. It has passed the test of time(21 years). It has eliminated vertical integrators from the industry. It has seven large packers as well as hundreds of small packers thus eliminating bullying tactics from someone trying to monopolize. It is acceptable with the trade agreement and non countervailable. It has made Quebec the only region in North America (other then vertical integrators) that are on solid footing to whether this crisis.The fact that their system allows for slaughtering 100% of their production adds value to the Quebec economy. The net cost to the taxpayer would be considerably lower when every sector related to the industry has a structured format that allows orderly production and distribution. Way to go Quebec.
2) Vertical integration will bring a quick end to family farms and the right to choose feed, genetics and trucking.
3) Producers should stand united through the powers of the OPPMB.
Decmeber 21, 1998
re: Survey
Staticians will show that the large amount of people that responded to the Perth County meeting questionaire makes it very accurate. It was interesting to see the common feelings of the producers and industry partners being so unified.
Decmeber 19, 1998
re: Survey
Nice going Farm & Country on getting the Perth county survey results out quickly for everyone to see them. Now it's up to producers to focus on the ideas which are practical. Personally I think the Quebec ASRA program makes sense. Our provincial government is going to have to do something which costs money or there will be grave consequences. Why not set up something like ASRA which involves contributions from producers but keeps us focused on our own province. Trying to build our own slaughterhouse on short notice would be a disaster. But if we don't do something our industry will depend on Michael McCain and Maple Leaf the way the potato farmers depended on the McCains in New Brunswick.
Perth County
Decmeber 19, 1998
re: Perth Meeting
Looking around at the people attending the meeting confirmed my own view that there are doers and there are takers in our industry. The doers organised the meeting and worked to make it a success. One of the greatest takers, a man who has contributed significantly to the overproduction, as usual, said and did nothing.
Before the demonstration in Toronto we asked 40 industry people for donations 39 responded generously. When asked for his support our friend the taker chuckled and then declined.
Decmeber 19, 1998
re: Producer Survey
So 94% of producers surveyed want the kind of government help Quebec producers get. Why would anyone think taxpayers should subsidise our overproduction? Supply management has been around a long time. It's controversial in farming but it can work. You don't ever hear chicken or egg producers clamouring for public funds to cover losses, research or anything else.
No one seems to care when the supply of taxi permits or medical doctor licenses are restricted. That's supply management!
Decmeber 19, 1998
re: survey
I would be very careful jumping to any conclusions about the so-called producer survey in our county. It didn't include the views of half the people who attended the meeting where the information was collected.
Not looking for government help.
Decmeber 16, 1998
re: Wake up
"Eligible to continue?" Interesting choice of words. You will be eligible to continue in the pig business as long as your cash flow allows you to. But if the Ontario industry continues to go towards the everyman for himself marketing approach proposed by last year's industry task force you will find yourself among numerous sellers trying to market your pigs to a couple of buyers. In those circumstances the many get screwed by the few.
Maple Leaf is the largest packer. They also supply feed through Shur Gain dealers. What happens when they tell you they won't buy your pigs unless you buy their feed? Shur Gain dealers already own production loops. What control does Maple Leaf have over these loops? What happens if Maple Leaf gets control of a majority of production through control of more and more loops?
The answer I think is eventual elimination of independent production in Ontario. You'll be told where to buy your feed, breeding stock and other supplies. You'll be told how to manage and where and when to sell your pigs. Come to think of it they probably won't even be your pigs. You'll be a contract producer.
Decmeber 15, 1998
re: New barns
New barns are actually still going up to supply packer controlled loops. At least some of these loops are paid on a cost of production formula, and they are getting paid more than the rest of us. Some of the sow units in these loops have been told they have to increase to 1200 sows within a set time or their contract won't be renewed. The reason being that this is the number needed to supply the rest of the loop. I could go on but surely everyone gets the point by now. As predicted, the pig supply is on the way to being managed by the packer.
Huron County
Decmeber 15, 1998
Re: Wake Up
Our family run 250 sows farrow to finish in Simcoe County.Are we eligible to continue?
MFI
Decmeber 15, 1998
Re: Wake Up
I suspect you know the answer if you are a full time pork producer in a major pork producing region of this province. Am I correct? Before I say anything more would you be kind enough to tell us which county you are in and the size and type of your operation?
Decmeber 15, 1998
re: Wake up!
Perhaps you could enlighten us to who this great power is going to be.
Decmeber 15, 1998
re: Wake up
Wake up and smell the coffee people!! Our industry is changing forever and when the dust has settled one man will control our industry in Ontario.
- -anonymous cause I don't want to get sued.
Decmeber 15, 1998
re: Chartered accountants
I see that the parasites of accountants are already there to feast on the bones and try to get what they can before pig farmers totally go broke.
DA
Cambridge
Decmeber 14, 1998
re: Chartered accountants
We are a firm of chartered accountants with a significant agricultural and agri-related base. Please keep us informed so that we can serve our clients better. We have had many questions asked just today
My e-mail address is shawn@jnorrisca.com
Thanks Shawn
Decmeber 13, 1998
A few years ago it seemed nobody could say anything good about our marketing board. It's too bad it takes a strike and a price crash to make it obvious even to some of the stubborn greedy big operators that there is a good side to everyone pulling together and marketing through one organization. A strong selling agency is the only hope for we have when there are so few buyers of our product. I hope it's not too late.
K.G. Guelph.
Decmeber 13, 1998
Bankruptcies
Will the new year bring on a flood of bancruptcies ? How is everyone holding on . Our banker says we`re fine as he eyes what property we`ll mortgage next.What about those that are already maxed out
PS. Thanks for a Canadian forum!
K. & S. M.
December 11, 1998
I've watched the pork industry's clash with the environment for the past few years. Pig barns are still going up. More than government money, which is needed for things like health care, I think producers need to control production.
Waterloo county.
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