Canada Pork (CP)
In 2024, Manitoba Pork continued to financially support Canada Pork’s ongoing efforts to improve market access, awareness and growth of the Canadian Pork industry both domestically and internationally. Through the Verified Canadian Pork™ (VCP) program, consumers at home and around the globe can be assured that they are getting premium quality Canadian pork that is raised and minimally processed under the highest food safety standards in the world. Scott Peters represented Manitoba Pork on Canada Pork’s Board of Directors and chaired the National Domestic Marketing Committee, while Susan Riese participated as a staff member. For more information on Canada Pork’s initiatives, visit canadapork.com and verifiedcanadianpork.com.
Pork Promotion Research Agency (PPRA)
In June 2024, Canada Pork hired a marketing manager to leverage consumer research insights and develop and implement impactful bilingual consumer-facing promotion campaigns to build demand and increase the consumption of pork in Canada. An advertising agency was retained and the development of a framework for the generic promotion of pork in Canada began. Of the nearly $5 million in import levies collected since its inception in 2022, the PPRA allocates 40% for generic pork marketing, 40% for environmental sustainability projects, and 20% to be held in reserves. Rick Bergmann sits on PPRA’s Board of Directors and Susan Riese sits on PPRA’s Pork Promotions Advisory Committee. More information about the PPRA can be found at ppra-cprp.com.
Manitoba Hog Grading Inc.
Manitoba Hog Grading Inc. has been providing the grading service for hog producers and pork processors in Manitoba since 1997. 2024 has been a good year for grading, audits scores were up due to graders fine tuning their skills. Just over 3.53 million pigs were graded in Manitoba for 2024. The average yield was 61.76% with backfat averaging 17.14mm and the loin eye average was 63.89mm for this year. The grading probes are calibrated and checked 5 times a day, all results are recorded in logbooks. All calibrations are tracked, and tattoo numbers are recorded during the audits performed as well as weight scale reads and are confidential and available to individual producers upon request.
Manitoba Pork Credit Corporation (MPCC)
MPCC provides producers with a critical source of working capital – up to $1 million – at a very low rate of interest through the federal Advance Payments Program (APP). The first $250,000 is an interest-free advance, with the interest being paid by the federal government. Under the 2024 APP, 53 producers in western Canada (33 from Manitoba) borrowed over $15.6 million. We also worked with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to obtain a new line of credit for new loans under the 2025 APP, which will be made available to producers until March 31, 2026.
Canadian Pork Council (CPC)
As the national voice for hog producers in Canada, the CPC plays a leadership role in achieving and maintaining a prosperous pork sector. Together with provincial pork organizations, CPC protects, promotes, and advances the competitiveness of Canadian pork producers through the delivery of high-value services and advocacy.
Jonathan Sawatzky represents Manitoba Pork on the CPC Board with Rick Prejet taking over from long-serving CPC Director Scott Peters towards the end of the year. In 2024, Manitoba Pork contributed over $585,000 to support the work of CPC and to help ensure that Manitoba hog farmers are represented on national and international issues. For more information, visit pork-porc.ca.
