Drayton area farmers among this year's Ontario Swine Improvement award winners

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

by SUSAN MANN

Improving their commercial sows’ productivity has netted Drayton-area farmers Clare and Kent Martin an award of excellence from Ontario Swine Improvement.

The award recognized Clare and his son, Kent, for genetic improvement and management practices in their purebred swine herd. It, and two other awards were presented at the Ontario Swine Improvement annual meeting earlier this month in Stratford. All of the awards are presented annually.

Kent says “it’s an honour to win an award like that. It’s humbling but also an honour.”

Each commercial sow from the Martins’ operation, Clarion Swine Genetics, will be an average of $30 more productive from 2013 genetics compared to sows from 2012 genetics because of their strong genetic improvement.

The factors contributing to Clarion’s genetic improvement include regular testing, Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement-assisted mating plans, strict selection criteria, good herd management and Ontario Swine Improvement. Kent says the combination of those factors is needed “to make it work and at the same time we are part of Alliance Genetics Canada.” The Alliance is made up of different breeders that share genetics. That sharing helps them to improve genetics, he says.

Ontario Swine Improvement general manager Ted Oke says the Martins won because they had a significant improvement in their sow herd. The productivity gains were achieved in improved feed conversion, reduced days to market and increased pigs per litter.

“Proportionately they test a large number of animals for the size of their operation,” he notes. The boars are tested using the National Swine Testing program from the Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement.

Dr. Doug MacDougald, a veterinarian in the South West Ontario Veterinary Services practice in Stratford, received the industry contribution award. It’s presented annually to recognize a recipient for achievements and contributions to the Ontario pork industry and to their community.

Oke says MacDougald was recognized for his work in leading projects to eradicate the PRRS virus and his work on numerous swine health advisory boards along with his community involvement in many things, including some of his global endeavours.

John de Bruyn of Salford received the distinguished recognition award for his dedication to the swine industry and to his community. The OSI board established this award in memory of the late Alan Ford, an OSI director in the early 1980s.

Oke says the award recognizes commercial pork producers for both industry and community involvement. A pork producer for more than 25 years, de Bruyn just started a new three-year term as an Ontario Pork director and was recently elected vice chair of the organization’s board. He has already served two years as director.

About the award, de Bruyn says “it’s certainly nice to be recognized by your peers that you’ve made a contribution.” He adds that providing service to the industry is “what I enjoy doing. I think it’s important as you move along in life that you enjoy what you’re doing.”

He says he never knew Alan Ford personally but he was certainly involved in the industry “and lost his life suddenly and I think it might remind us to enjoy our trip along the way.”

Ontario Swine Improvement is a non-profit, industry-run organization working to provide swine improvement and genetic products, programs and expertise. BF