2011 – a rough year for meat packers

Several Ontario abattoirs ran into financial trouble last year after investing heavily to meet federal licensing requirements. But so far the loss has not affected the province’s cattle industry

by MARY BAXTER

If packers were pin-ups, then Holly Park Meat Packers Inc. at one time would have been as close to the farmer’s ideal as you could get.

Until recently, this operation, which specializes in beef, veal and lamb processing and is headquartered in Cookstown, paid on time, offered a good dollar and understood quality, according to Vince Stutzki, a Paisley area lamb producer. “Pioneering” is the word the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) uses on its website to describe the company’s traceability program.

Better Farming - January 2012