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Manitoba's Pork Value Chain:
Where is it Going and What is Driving it?
The hog industry in Manitoba has increased from just over 2 million head in 1992 to nearly 6 million in 2001. There has also been a rapid expansion in livestock slaughter and processing capacity in the province most notably because of a new 45,000 hogs per week (on a single shift basis) hog processing facility which opened in Brandon in 1999. A large part of the increased production in Manitoba has also resulted in increased export of live animals, both as weaners or feeders.
The authors conclude that Manitoba's pork value chain has a good prospect to be a viable and sustainable component of Manitoba's economic and social fabric but identify important challenges and recommend appropriate responses throughout the pork value change.
Future development of Manitoba's pork value chain will have to take place in the context of principles for sustainable livestock development, as outlined in the report of the Livestock Stewardship Panel (2000). Feed availability and cost has been exacerbated by the prevalence of fusarium and the impact of drought in the last two years. More research is needed to solve the fusarium problem and serious consideration needs to be given to modifying the focus of the grain variety licensing system to recognize the growing importance of the Prairie region as a feed grain market.
Current production could supply hog slaughtering capacity, but approximately 45% of Manitoba's hogs go to the US for finishing and slaughter. There are also additional challenges to starting a second shift in the Maple Leaf plant in Brandon because of labour shortages and environmental considerations. The Country of Origin Labeling provision of the new US Farm Bill may affect exports in the future. The Manitoba pork value chain should concentrate on reducing its dependence on US markets. Expanding the ability to finish hogs in Manitoba would provide some further flexibility in the event of border closures due to disease outbreaks and contribute to more processing/value-added in Manitoba.
Public opposition to large-scale hog operations continues to grow because of growing concerns about water quality impacts, odour, and community socioeconomic impacts. It requires a commitment to deal with concerns about the impact of hogs on Manitoba's environmental and rural landscape and adaptability to the new challenges the industry now faces. However Manitoba should monitor the effectiveness of recently introduced phosphorus based regulations in other jurisdictions before moving towards phosphorus regulations.
For more information on this publication, please e-mail: Econ_Research@agr.gc.ca.
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