People and Culture

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Making a Positive Contribution to Society

Manitoba’s hog sector is committed to making a positive contribution to communities all across the province. We are proud to be a source of high-quality, good-paying jobs in rural and urban areas alike, and communities like Brandon, Neepawa, Steinbach, and more continue to grow thanks to the hog sector.

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There are few social contributions that have a more positive impact on people’s lives than access to a good job, and we are proud to be one of the few sources of new job creation in rural areas.

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“If you look at this town, there’s not one house for sale. They are all sold, and there are people waiting to buy a house right here in this little town.”

Norbert Berdard

Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes Investor

"There is no unemployment in this town, and [the hog sector] is one of the reasons."

Pierre Marcon

Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes Resident

"It's the survival of the community. Many towns our size are decreasing in population. We are increasing."

Pierre Marcon

Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes Resident

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Our families are committed to helping our community thrive for this generation and those to come. Hog farmers are invested where they live and work, creating jobs and economic opportunity.

Scott Peters & Lyle Peters

Manitoba Hog Farmers
Randolph, MB

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Fast Facts

Communities such as Brandon, Neepawa, Steinbach, Killarney, Notre Dame de Lourdes continue to see growth thanks to direct or indirect investments in the hog sector.

Companies like HyLife and Maple Leaf, as well as independent producers, draw newcomers to Canada with high-quality jobs that offer paths to management and leadership

Newcomers drawn to Manitoba by jobs in the hog sector are welcomed to Canadian life as our new friends and neighbours

Hog farmers are important and significant contributors to the rural communities in which they live

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Building Sustainable Communities

Manitoba communities fortunate enough to have hog sector involvement are no longer just barely surviving, they are thriving and dynamic.

Communities such as Brandon, Neepawa, Roblin, Killarney and Notre Dame de Lourdes, and their surrounding areas, will continue to grow thanks to pork, with residents building new homes, schools and churches, recreational facilities and daycares.

Community Involvement

Community involvement is an integral part of our culture and identity. Farmers and sector workers strengthen their connections to the community by contributing their time, skills and resources. Coaching sports teams, leading 4-H clubs, participating in local initiatives, and supporting charities are just a few of the ways they give back.

Well-Being of Sector Workers

The physical and mental well-being of sector workers is an ongoing consideration for employers. Providing comprehensive training is a key aspect of recruitment and retention, along with competitive working conditions, fair labour relations, and a safe working environment. If factors beyond our control lead to mental, emotional, behavioural and physical challenges, help is always available through Manitoba’s Farm, Rural & Northern Support Services.

Rural Manitoba Success: New Barn Developments

2020 saw continued sustainable expansion of the pork sector in Manitoba, with approximately 6,500 new sow spaces and 37,000 new finishing spaces being applied for and approved this year. This means that there have been over 30 new barns or expansions built in Manitoba since 2017. This totals in over $100 million in private investment in rural Manitoba. Based on preliminary inquiries, Manitoba Pork expects similar barn development activity moving forward. Such continued sustainable expansion of pork production is a significant boon to the rural Manitoba economy. New and expanding operations result in new workers settling into rural communities, creating demand for housing, schooling, and local building trades.

Building Sustainable Communities

Manitoba communities fortunate enough to have hog sector involvement are no longer just barely surviving, they are thriving and dynamic.

Communities such as Brandon, Neepawa, Roblin, Killarney and Notre Dame de Lourdes, and their surrounding areas, will continue to grow thanks to pork, with residents building new homes, schools and churches, recreational facilities and daycares.

Community Involvement

Community involvement is an integral part of our culture and identity. Farmers and sector workers strengthen their connections to the community by contributing their time, skills and resources. Coaching sports teams, leading 4-H clubs, participating in local initiatives, and supporting charities are just a few of the ways they give back.

Well-Being of Sector Workers

The physical and mental well-being of sector workers is an ongoing consideration for employers. Providing comprehensive training is a key aspect of recruitment and retention, along with competitive working conditions, fair labour relations, and a safe working environment. If factors beyond our control lead to mental, emotional, behavioural and physical challenges, help is always available through Manitoba’s Farm, Rural & Northern Support Services.

Rural Manitoba Success: New Barn Developments

2020 saw continued sustainable expansion of the pork sector in Manitoba, with approximately 6,500 new sow spaces and 37,000 new finishing spaces being applied for and approved this year. This means that there have been over 30 new barns or expansions built in Manitoba since 2017. This totals in over $100 million in private investment in rural Manitoba. Based on preliminary inquiries, Manitoba Pork expects similar barn development activity moving forward. Such continued sustainable expansion of pork production is a significant boon to the rural Manitoba economy. New and expanding operations result in new workers settling into rural communities, creating demand for housing, schooling, and local building trades.

#pages
  • Learn about our environmental stewardship

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  • Learn about our animal care standards

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