Ontario Pork Producer Resources

Producer Resources

Ontario Pork provides a number of tools to help producers - from how to sign up to become a producer to learning which hog marketing program best suits their needs. Below you will find a complete listing of all the resources available to producers from Ontario Pork as well as helpful links to reaources on other websites.

JUMP TO: Finance, Marketing and Registration Resources | Regulations and Safety Resources | Other Helpful Resources

FINANCE, MARKETING AND REGISTRATION RESOURCES
RESOURCE	DESCRIPTION / EXAMPLE OF DOCUMENT
Hydro One’s Electricity Retrofit Incentive Program	A recent research project conducted by B. Predicala and E. Navia, from the Prairie Swine Centre Inc. in Saskatchewan evaluated energy use and potential energy conservation measures in several swine barns. 28 facilities were surveyed and energy audits were conducted in 4 operations Lighting, creep and space heating, fans, feed equipment motors, and heat recovery were examined.
Proposed Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)	Starting July 1, 2010, Ontario’s Retail Sales Tax (RST) would be converted to a value-added tax structure and combined with the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) to create a single, federally administered Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).
New Producer Registration Sheet	In order that we may serve & communicate with you more effectively, we would like to request the following information. Please complete the form and return to Ontario Pork, 655 Southgate Dr., Guelph, ON N1G 5G6; Attention: Industry and Producer Relations. Fax: 519-829-1769.
Resources for Managing Financial Pressures (Updated 11/25/09)	A farm business can experience financial and emotional pressures when market prices decline, a market ceases to exist, a disease reduces production, unexpected cost increases, or business arrangements fall apart. Dealing with these pressures is a challenge! The following resources are available to assist people to assess a farm business, examine alternatives, deal with issues, and make decisions. For county specific resources please visit our Districts section.
Proposed Business Risk Management Program (AgriStability)	The Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Coalition (OASC) is proposing a cost of production based Business Risk Management Program (BRMP) to run as a companion to AgriStability. The proposal would fund 100% of the difference between the average market price and a floor price that’s calculated, based on the cost of producing each commodity.
Risk Management Fact Sheet	In 2006, Ontario Pork hosted Risk Management courses across Ontario, which highlighted many important concepts for developing a risk management plan for Ontario hog farmers. Hog prices in Ontario are affected by two major factors that can cause a downturn in the hog price. Specifically, a decrease in the CME price (Chicago Mercantile Exchange) and/or a rise in the Canadian dollar value will push the Ontario 100% price lower.
Understanding Your Settlement Statement	Quick and accurate compensation to producers is the primary objective of the settlement department. The settlement team distributes approximately $832 million annually to producers. Under normal operating circumstances, over 96% of all shipments are settled almost immediately and without incident, either through direct deposit or mailed cheques. The settlement team keeps detailed records of all settlements and maintains current files for individual producers. Part of the mandate of this team is to handle any complaints, disputes and other settlement inquiries.
Pool Plus Marketing Advantage	Producers enrolled in the program will receive the average value of hogs sold through Ontario Pork’s Block Sale Agreements to various packers. The Block Sale Agreements have provided Ontario Pork with the ability to guaranty delivery of specific quantities of high quality hogs to packers for fixed periods of time. This has enabled Ontario Pork to obtain increased base prices for the hogs marketed through the program.

REGULATIONS AND SAFETY RESOURCES
RESOURCE	DESCRIPTION / EXAMPLE OF DOCUMENT
Clean Your Hands Barn Sign 8.5x11	A printable 8.5x11 sign to place in your barn that reminds employees to clean their hands and notifies them of the symptoms they should look for which may indicate that they have the flu.
Clean Your Hands Barn Sign 11x17	A printable 11x17 sign to place in your barn that reminds employees to clean their hands and notifies them of the symptoms they should look for which may indicate that they have the flu.
Ministry of Health Letter: Flu Vaccination Recommendations	While we encourage everyone in Onatario to get vaccinated, we are also recommending that workers in the swine industry, in particular, get vaccinated because of the recent evidence that the pH1N1 virus can infect and cause disease in swine, as well as people. The pH1N1 flu is primarily a human community-based infection, meaning that you are most likely to get this flu from coming into contact with infected individuals in your community. However, preventing the movement of the influenza viruses between the human and animal populations is an important public health measure aimed at trying to prevent the reassortment or mixing of different flu strains to produce new influenza viruses, which could cause significant disease in both people and animals. We are sending a similar letter to poultry industry workers.
Closing Barns Factsheet	Swine facilities require special care if they are being removed from production for a prolonged period of time. The ability of the facility to remain empty safely and be brought back into productive service economically in the future depends on the steps taken immediately after the barn is emptied.
Closing Swine Facilities for an Extended Period of Time	Swine facilities require special care if they are being removed from production for a prolonged period of time. The ability of the facility to remain empty safely and be brought back into productive service economically in the future depends on the steps taken immediately after the barn is emptied.
Barn Fires	Over the past five years, barn fires and fires in large farm structures have become an increasing concern. The evolution towards large-scale farm operations has further heightened the need to address the problem of barn fires and fires in large farm structures. In response, OMAFRA struck a Technical Advisory Committee on Farm Fires to address the fire safety risks to farm workers and emergency responders. The purpose of the committee is to reduce the potential for life and/or property loss by identifying best practices in the industry and potential changes to regulations.
On-Farm Euthanasia Guidelines - Revised publication	Because it is usually impossible or impractical for the veterinarian to be available for all euthanasia on-farm, producers themselves often need to perform humane euthanasia of pigs. This pamphlet, On-Farm Euthanasia of Swine, Recommendations for the Producer , developed in cooperation with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians offers guidelines and considerations.
Captive Bolt Considerations when Humanely Euthanizing Pigs	It is imperative that one understands that the humane euthanization of livestock is at times necessary, yet more importantly, that it be conducted in a manner that quickly renders the animal unconscious and insensible to pain while also considering the safety of personnel. Factors such as human safety, animal welfare, practicality and technical skill requirements, cost, limitations, and aesthetics are all important considerations when determining the most appropriate method of humane euthanization.

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES
RESOURCE	DESCRIPTION / EXAMPLE OF DOCUMENT
Glossary of Settlement Statement Codes	Contains a full listing of all the various codes and abbreviations used by Ontario Pork, including: Condemnation Codes, Plant Codes & Abbreviations, Trim Codes, Animal Type Codes. Health Codes and Other codes.
External Website Links	Includes web links to the following instituations, organizations and programs: AgriInvest Kickstart Program, Agricorp,Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Circovirus Inoculation Program, Government Contacts, Ontario Federation of Ontario, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Statistics Canada and Vaccine & Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO)
Contact Details for Federal Members of Parliament (MP)	Comlpete contact details for Federal Members of Parliament (MPs) including thier full name, party affliation, constituency, email address and phone number.