SASKATOON (Staff) – Ivan Stomp says he can make more money by selling hogs in the United States, and other provinces, than he can by selling through the province’s hog marketing board.
“There are better prices to be had,” Stomp told about 100 producers gathered to discuss ending the existing selling monopoly and establishing a dual marketing system.
Most of the producers had one thing in common; they want more money for their hogs and they don’t think SPI Marketing Group always has the highest price.
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Some producers said SPI is spending too much money finding foreign markets when there is adequate killing capacity closer to home.
Others said SPI doesn’t always do the best job of marketing high-quality hogs to demand a premium price.
New ruling
For almost a year Stomp was able to bypass SPI for packing plants in British Columbia, Manitoba and North Dakota, seeking a better price. Two weeks ago a provincial court judge ruled he must only sell through SPI.
Now Stomp wants producers to decide if they want to continue with the present board or create a dual marketing system.
Choose best avenue
“If it’s not a better premium for a lot of producers, people are going to come back,” said Stomp.
Florian Possberg, one of the event organizers, said he doesn’t want to see SPI disappear. But he does want changes.
“My question is, would competition make SPI stronger or weaker?” said Possberg, of Humboldt.
SPI is planning meetings in October to address producers’ concerns.
