“Over the years this has become a smaller event,” he said, noting that the shift away from small family operations has meant there are fewer people to the number of pigs. But it’s still important to bring together as many of those producers as possible for some face time.

“It gives us a good sense of what people are thinking and whether they’re optimistic or not,” he said. “They’re still making some money, and that’s great.”

In addition to the two day trade show the annual awards banquets creates excitement. Held on site in the Harvest Centre at Westerner Park the evening started with the Genesus reception. Leading into a wonderful dinner featuring Alberta Pork Crown Roasts.

During the banquet the Congress added to the optimism by naming several producers for its annual awards.

Nutrition Partners Inc. presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Alfred Wahl of Polar Genetics of Leduc.

Elanco Pork’s Industry Ambassador Award went to Western Hog Exchange Chairman Brent Moen.

Horst Farms, owned by Wim and Linda Van Wijk, received the MNP Farm Team Award. The Van Wijks have received a few Reach for the Top production awards in the past, and continue to work toward a bright future in the industry.

“I’m proud to be a hog farmer and to still be in business,” Wim Van Wijk said after the presentation at the Congress banquet.

The family recently made a significant investment in renovating their gestation barn northwest of Lacombe, he said, which means he expects to

be in the industry for a while to get the investment back.

“I’m 53 now; I hope at least for 12 or 14 years to keep going.”

The family came to Canada in 2002 to take over an existing operation. Wim said he didn’t want to work at a large operation as one small cog on a large gear. He now controls everything from farrow to finish.

“I still can make my own decisions; I have my own farm. I can plan my days and do things the way that I like to do.”

Both he and Linda grew up on farms, so the whole family has been committed to the lifestyle. Their sons, however, are more interested in heavy equipment than livestock, he said. That’s handy when he needs mechanical work done, but it means he has to rely on hired help to keep the operation running.

It has been that way since the start, and finding good, reliable help continues to be the biggest challenge facing Horst Farms. In 13 years they’ve had 11 or 12 different employees, Wim said. “It’s still difficult to find good hired people that can take good care of the farm.”

His current employee is a solid man from Ukraine. Previously he had a Filipino worker for three years.

Geoff Geddes, communications co-ordinator with Alberta Pork, said defending the Temporary Foreign Worker program is still an important issue for the industry.

Whether they’re working for producers or processors, TFWs are essential to keeping agriculture afloat. They are not stealing Canadian jobs, Geddes emphasized, as opposed to public perception.

“What they’re really doing is coming in and taking jobs that Canadians don’t want. Either the jobs are going to go vacant, or the temporary foreign workers are going to do them. To us it’s a no-brainer: you’ve got to have them.”

Identifying issues like that is why Alberta Pork finds the Alberta Pork Congress so valuable, he said. It was the busiest Congress he had seen in five years with Alberta Pork, and helped get a good start on their producer survey for 2015.

The Congress banquet was also the scene of several more awards. Olymel presented its Reach For the Top Awards to Martin and Annette Van de Velde for both the Grand Champion honours as well as the High Health Award. Mannville Colony received the Food Safety Award, Lougheed Colony North won the Core Lean Award, and Alix Colony was presented with the Core Weight Award.

Three exhibitors were rewarded for top booth honours. Each of their exhibits were eye catching and the staff was engaging with producers. Top prize went to Friesen Nutrition, second to Western Hog Exchange and third to Nor Ag.

Both producers and exhibitors look forward to the 42nd instalment of the Alberta Pork Congress in June of 2016.  •

— By Carl Haun