Cover Story: Contented pigs, discontented producers

Reduced premiums, higher welfare standards and extra trucking costs
are all contributing to producer discontent. But duBreton insists that they still are better off than under the free market

by DON STONEMAN

When Mildmay farmer Ron Harkness started raising pigs in April 2009 for the Humane Pork program offered by Quebec packer duBreton, he thought it represented an opportunity for long-term sales. But it wasn’t to be. He shipped his last certified pigs in December.