EDMONTON – Pork producers will receive a bonus for producing quality hogs, say officials from Fletcher’s Fine Foods.
The Red Deer, Alta., plant will pay producers up to $3 per hog through its new High Health Pork Program.
Producers will be paid $2 a hog if the animal meets certain health criteria such as no chest adhesions, no trimmable demerits or liver or heart abnormalities.
They can be paid another 50 cents to $1 if the loin muscle thickness meets the carcass standard.
“We do a lot of things right. Our High Health program allows us to get the positive side of the story to market,” president Fred Knoedler told producers at the annual meeting of the Alberta Pork Producers Development Corporation.
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The program is way to keep Fletcher’s competitive in pork markets, said Greg Whalley, vice-president of corporate affairs.
“Demand for wholesome pork products continues to increase, but in order to remain competitive we must consistently meet or exceed market expectations for a superior quality product.”
Maple Leaf has introduced the Signature Pork Program, which also pays producers a bonus when they sign up and follow the program.
Producers have concerns
While many farmers say they will likely sign up for the quality programs to get the bonus, they’re worried it will soon become the norm and the bonus will turn into a penalty for producers not on the program.
