Meristem: Pork Science

Alberta's pork producers need to take direct action to meet challenges such as the effects of the bio-fuel industry growth on the pork industry, shrinking processing capacity, and policies that threaten their right to farm, says the chairman of Alberta Pork, the organization representing the province's pork producers.

In his "State of the Industry" address at the Alberta Pork Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Calgary Dec. 6-7, chairman Jurgen Preugschas urged pork producers to make sure the pork industry is represented at all levels of government and that its sustainability is on the agenda of groups which influence and create public policy.

"It is crucial that we stay involved," says the Mayerthorpe pork producer. "Know your MLAs personally and make sure they know you. We must continue to stay involved so outside forces, especially those which may have an agenda against the pork industry, do not determine how we raise our animals."

The growing number of proposed ethanol plants in North America, which would take feed grains and convert them to bio-fuel, stands to have "huge" implications on the cost and availability of feedgrains for pork producers, says Preugschas. "It's being estimated that, in 10 years, 35 to 40 percent of feedgrain in the U.S. will be used as ethanol," he said.

However, he suggested that world demand for green energy may drive new opportunities for the pork industry. "Perhaps the future of the pork industry lies in becoming green energy producers with hogs as a by-product," he says.

Preugschas also addressed the decreasing capacity of Canada's pork processing infrastructure. With decisions by Maple Leaf and Olymel to close several plants and by Olymel to cut its Red Deer plant's double-shifts, he questioned whether or not producers should revisit the idea of owning hogs "further down the value chain."

"The ownership of processing capacity is something that would have to be considered by individual producers. It's beyond Alberta Pork's mandate to make that decision. But it's certainly an option producers may want to look into in order to tackle this problem."

Preugschas also addressed growing challenges to producers' "right to farm." "We're living in a time when a complaint from a neighbour over something as simple as operating a combine at night can become a legal infraction. "We must continue to stay aware of any new policies which would hinder our right to make a living as pork producers."

In other business news from the AGM, the Alberta Pork executive remains the same. Preugschas will remain the chairman and director at large over the coming year, Phil Mueller of Lacombe will continue his role as vice chairman, and Don Erno of Sexsmith will return to his role as executive member and director at large.

Returning to board activities are Bruce Konynenbelt of Nobleford, Ken Jackson of Castor, Herman Simons of Tees, Jaco Poot of Bloomsbury and Curtis Hooimeyer of Neerlandia.

Alberta Pork represents more than 1,000 pork producers in the province. The industry produces more than 3.5 million hogs each year. The overall agriculture industry directly and indirectly generates one out of three jobs in the province.

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Alberta Pork chairman speaks out on challenges to competitiveness at AGM