Manitoba's Pork Industry
Caring for animals. Producing quality pork. Protecting the environment.
The Manitoba pork industry is an interwoven system of farms, feed mills, environmental and genetics support services, equipment suppliers, and meat processors. The pork industry contributes more than $1 billion annually to the provincial economy and provides more than 13,000 jobs for Manitobans. Pig production is also the third-largest source of income for Manitoba farmers, earning them $730 million in 2007.
Manitoba’s 800 hog farmers are dedicated to caring for their animals, producing quality pork and protecting the environment. Farmers have been raising pigs here using a variety of production methods since the province was first settled.
Manitoba is the largest pig-producing and pig-exporting province in Canada, accounting for about 30% of national pig production and 60% of national pig exports. Almost all of the province's pig exports go to the midwestern United States. This makes an open border and free trade with the US vital to Manitoba's farmers.
Manitoba Pork Council participates in trade advocacy efforts with US producer groups, government decision makers on both sides of the border and other Canadian pork producer organizations, such as Canadian Pork Council. CPC has created a website for US and Canadian producers to contribute personal stories about how they are affected by Mandatory Country of Origin Labelling in the US. Go to: http://fairtradeforhogs.com/
Meanwhile, Manitoba is the third-largest pork exporter after Quebec and Ontario, accounting for almost 17% of Canada’s pork exports. Manitoba pork exports go to 25 countries around the world and are worth about $400 million.
Despite these numbers, Manitoba still has one of the lowest pig densities of all major pig-producing provinces, US states or countries. Manitoba hog farmers also follow some of the most stringent environmental regulations of any industry in North America.
Hog farmers submit annual manure management plans based on soil and water testing to the provincial government, and they are working on reducing the amount of phosphorus and other nutrients that they contribute to Manitoba’s waterways. They have found ways to inject manure into cropland, and they plant shelterbelts on their farms to reduce odour. After all, most producers live and raise families on the same land where they farm.
by Janet Honey
A $2 billion Industry
by Andrew Dickson, General Manager, Manitoba Pork Council
Straight Talk on Pork
Can be found on the unfriendlymanitoba.ca website.