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Better Pork
February 2017
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What’s your management philosophy or
guiding management principle?
Always operate above the line.
That means being transparent,
hands-on and encouraging everyone
to do their best.
What’s your advice for working so closely
with multiple generations?
There are always challenges, but you
can benefit from their (the older
generation’s) knowledge and experi-
ence. That was how it went when I
worked with my dad and other
family. I’d be right next to them
watching until I felt comfortable and
then I was expected to fly on my
own.
Is there a practical difference between
being a Hutterite pork producer and a
non-Hutterite producer?
Because we have a colony manag-
er who pays all the bills, I just
hand them to him once a week
and I don’t have to worry about
that part of the business the way
other producers would. It frees up
some time, but it also means I
know less about the bottom line
than someone who has to deal
with the paperwork.
Are you involved in any committees,
boards, associations or volunteer
efforts?
I’ve been a director on the board of
Alberta Pork for 10 years now. It’s the
association that represents pork
producers in the province, so I think
it’s important to provide my input
and help other producers understand
what’s going on.
What are your hobbies or recreational
activities?
What are those? I don’t have much
time for those things but I like to fish
at a nearby lake when I get a chance.
Otherwise, my main activity outside
of work is playing baseball or some-
thing else with my four kids at home.
Is your farm vehicle messy or neat?
Definitely neat.
What are three items that are always to be
found in your pickup?
Keys, sunglasses and a pen.
What are three items that are on top of
your desk?
Calculator, paper and stapler. They
never go out of style.
What was the last piece of equipment you
bought for your shop?
A pipe bender for $15,000.
What’s the best time of day?
Morning. Your tank is full and you’re
ready to take on the day.
What was your most memorable produc-
tion year?
2014 for all the wrong reasons. PED
wiped out a few million pigs in the
United States and some in Canada
and drove pork prices through the
roof.
It was devastating for many
producers but probably saved others
from going bankrupt.
How do you define success?
Doing it right the first time and doing
your best.
What do you see as current or future
challenges for the industry?
Prices in Alberta and Canada rarely
keep up with prices south of the border
and constantly fluctuate.
Last week, we had three meetings
around the province with producers
looking at how to do this and get a
“made in Canada” price.
Maybe we can do it like the potato or
beet growers and negotiate a contract
over a few years to lock in the price.
We also need packers to share a bit
with us when times are rough and
realize that they need us to survive –
we’re all in this together.
What’s your most important goal? In life?
In work?
To make sure at the end of the day I
did something that made a difference
and helped the colony prosper. We
need to help each other and set the
table for the next generation of
farmers.
BP
This interview has been condensed.
MarkWipf