Hog barn expansion

[grassfarmer]

Don't know what to think of the ongoing expansion of hog production in this part of MB but it's certainly upsetting a lot of people. Proposals for quite a few new barns with 24,000 head per site I believe. The expansion is by HyLife which is now owned 50.1% by a Thai company and 49.9% by a Japanese one. They got $9.5 million from the MB Government and another $2 million through Growing Forward to expand their slaughter plant in Neepawa and their new feedmill in Killarney. I was told, and Braveheart can correct me if this is wrong, that they are bringing US corn into Killarney to make the feed.
So while Manitoba Pork are running ads in the papers promoting this (paid for by check-off no doubt) and saying how it fits with the provincial Governments "new sustainable protein strategy which seeks to ensure that Manitoba farmers have the resources they need to remain leaders in animal protein production...." I'm struggling to see where the Manitoba farmers are even involved in this other than as a dumping ground for hog manure.

[Braveheart]

Don't know what to think of the ongoing expansion of hog production in this part of MB but it's certainly upsetting a lot of people. Proposals for quite a few new barns with 24,000 head per site I believe. The expansion is by HyLife which is now owned 50.1% by a Thai company and 49.9% by a Japanese one. They got $9.5 million from the MB Government and another $2 million through Growing Forward to expand their slaughter plant in Neepawa and their new feedmill in Killarney. I was told, and Braveheart can correct me if this is wrong, that they are bringing US corn into Killarney to make the feed.
So while Manitoba Pork are running ads in the papers promoting this (paid for by check-off no doubt) and saying how it fits with the provincial Governments "new sustainable protein strategy which seeks to ensure that Manitoba farmers have the resources they need to remain leaders in animal protein production...." I'm struggling to see where the Manitoba farmers are even involved in this other than as a dumping ground for hog manure.

Many many US trucks hauling corn into HyLife. Corn is grown locally but the mill requires it dry and most corn growers here have been duped into thinking they can grow and market corn without a dryer.

[LEP]

Unfortunately, the reality of the hog business is that you go big or go home.

Our local barn was one of the quadra barns that was bought out by the locals. It is a good market for most types of feed.

Should be alot of jobs in those facilities

[ajl]

Just wondering where they are finding the cheap labor to make this enterprise turn a profit? Asia as well?

[grassfarmer]

Just wondering where they are finding the cheap labor to make this enterprise turn a profit? Asia as well?

Mostly the Philippines I believe. $14.50/hr starting on the cutting/production floor.

[GDR]

So I would imagine there would be better enterprises than a pig barn for those owners even after the government assistance. Is the game plan to take the pork back to their countries or sell it in canada?


Is there soybean crushers anywhere close? Has to be freight and exchange advantage to feed local production. I'm sure feed wheat barley and peas are all available, what more could a pig ask for?

[Braveheart]

Mostly the Philippines I believe. $14.50/hr starting on the cutting/production floor.

It is the Phillipines. Interestingly, Neepawa (where slaughter plant is) now has an undesirable element. Filipino crime. Prostitution and drugs.

[grassfarmer]

So I would imagine there would be better enterprises than a pig barn for those owners even after the government assistance. Is the game plan to take the pork back to their countries or sell it in canada?


Is there soybean crushers anywhere close? Has to be freight and exchange advantage to feed local production. I'm sure feed wheat barley and peas are all available, what more could a pig ask for?

I read 85% is exported to Japan. I don't think this is like your hog farm of the past where they would be fed whatever was cheap and easily available. Seems more of a factory model with everything standardized including feed.

[Braveheart]

Feed trucks have reall add to the traffic here. Not in a good way.

[LEP]

So they have a 24,000 sow barn operational already?