The challenges in the pork industry being what they are, producers have a duty to use ingenuity in order to remain competitive. As awareness is widespread, Group-Evolu-Pork Day saw record participation. The annual meeting took place on Friday April 26 at the Caztel Center in Sainte-Marie.
This year, the event organized by Les Consultants Denis Champagne was held under the theme Tools to help us move forward. Some 185 producers from the Capitale-Nationale, Centre-du-Québec and Chaudière-Appalaches regions were present. On site, 21 kiosks and six conferences allowed participants to learn more about the industry’s 2023 performance, the main future issues, or to learn tips to improve their productivity.
“It’s the biggest day we’ve had so far with so many Quebec producers. The need is there, because the answer is there,” said Karina Patoine, general director of Les Consultants Denis Champagne.
Among other things, the latter knows full well that interest rates are currently very high, which means that now would be a bad time to invest. Tips for making production profitable are therefore welcome for producers.
“There are few days like this. People need to share how to get through these difficult times. We are always trying to improve technology, and technology influences economics. Issues such as transportation costs are beyond our control. We have to play with what we are able to control and that’s what today’s conferences are for,” she added.
Please note that prizes were also offered to participants to recognize their performances over the past year. According to Mme Patoine, in addition to praising producers for their efforts, the honors let everyone know where they stand compared to their peers.
“With the closure of Olymel in Vallée-Jonction and the issues related to transportation, 2024 is a year of change. But, with the drop in grain prices and the rise in pork prices, I am convinced that the best days are coming,” is optimistic Lori-Anne Berthiaume, vice-president of the Evolu-Porc Group.
