Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Perth County processor expands to support niche marketers

Thursday, July 7, 2011

By BETTER FARMING STAFF

Expansion of two Perth County niche pork ventures has prompted an area processor to expand its facilities too.

“This will give us a great lift up to help our customers to meet their demand and expand their businesses,” says John Koch who owns Walnut Hill Farm with his wife Julieanne. The Gads Hill company that’s adjacent to the family farm processes pork for Perth Pork Products and Willowgrove Hill. “Our capacity is pretty much maxed out for production of those products so we needed to make a decision to expand our production or just stay where we were,” John says.

Located near Sebringville, Perth Pork Products is owned by Fred and Ingrid de Martines and specializes in growing rare and heritage breed pigs. Paul and Rosie Hill own Willowgrove Hill near Mitchell and produce antibiotic-free pork enhanced with DHA/EPA Omega-3 and selenium.

The Kochs also process their own lines of low sodium and allergen-free pork products as well as some beef products and do some custom work for other local farmers. The business does everything from cutting up carcasses to curing, smoking and packaging. It wound down slaughter operations in 2010.

Work on the expansion began last week and includes shifting the former slaughter area to processing and adding a spice room, as well as converting other space in the facility for ready-to-eat packaging, a shipping cooler and dry curing. Half of the nearly $280,000 project comes from the province’s rural economic development program.

An Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs news release issued Friday to announce the provincial funding indicates the project will double the company’s production, increase its annual sales to $1.3 million and create more opportunities for local farmers. Walnut Hill currently process 40 to 50 hogs a week. Koch says the goal is to have the project complete by the end of March 2012 “but a real life expectation might be July of next year.” BF

 

Current Issue

September 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Strategies to Optimize Market Returns in Ontario

Monday, September 15, 2025

Berkley Fedorchuk, grain marketing specialist with Hensall Co-op in Southwestern Ontario, recently shared insights into the current corn market and strategies for forward marketing during his presentation at the . With a focus on the Ontario and Eastern Canadian grain sectors,... Read this article online

Festival of Guest Nations returns to Leamington

Friday, September 12, 2025

On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Seacliff Park in Leamington, Ontario, will come alive with music, food, and celebration as the Festival of Guest Nations returns to honour the migrant worker communities who play a vital role in Essex County’s agricultural economy. With more than 20 years... Read this article online

York Region launching new Agri-Food Startup Program

Thursday, September 11, 2025

A new program in York Region is designed to help entrepreneurs find their footing in the food space. The 14-week hybrid Agri-Food Start-up Program partners entrepreneurs with local organizations like the Foodpreneur Lab, Syzl, York Region Food Network, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island... Read this article online

Corn and Soybean Diseases Spread This Season

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, as well as in previous articles by Farms.com, the 2025 growing season is nearing its end with corn and soybean farmers in Ontario and the U.S. Corn Belt facing disease challenges that reflect changing weather conditions. For corn, two... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top