Pork Industry Leaders Recognized
Three pork industry leaders were honoured for leadership and excellence in Alberta’s pork industry at the annual Alberta Pork Spectra Awards. They were presented as part of the Alberta Pork Annual General Meeting in Calgary on December 6 and 7.
The Spectra Awards recognize achievement in our industry, whether by producers, researchers, marketers or others. Winners receive these awards for a variety of reasons, but one thing they all share is that they have all done something to move the pork industry in Alberta forward. In short, they’re innovators.
Former Alberta Pork chairman Roger Charbonneau received the Lifetime Achievement Spectra Award. Charbonneau served as chairman of Alberta Pork during the tumultuous late -‘90s, an era which saw a plebiscite on a revised marketing plan for Alberta Pork, a review of Alberta Pork’s move from a single desk to open marketing system which resulted in the creation of the Western Hog Exchange, and a restructuring of the role livestock groups play in the development approval process.
Roger led Alberta Pork through some of the most difficult times the organization has ever faced. He will always be remembered for his strong work ethic and fair minded approach to leadership.
Rod Buray, who has had an over 30-year career marketing Alberta hogs, was the recipient of the Friend of the Industry Spectra Award. Starting his career in 1974 with what was then known as the Alberta Hog Producers Marketing Board, Buray was instrumental in legal action which would mark a positive turning point in how pigs would be marketed in the future.
Rod has always kept the hog transportation process moving, putting out the various fires along the way. He is probably the best known person in the industry to producers, truckers and buyers, and is truly a friend of the industry.
Dwight Peregrym, owner and operator of DJ Hog Farms near Lloydminster, is the winner of the Environmental Stewardship Spectra Award. The fourth generation hog producer has developed an odour mitigation system for hog barns that uses a closed loop air system to remove 94 percent of the humidity from the air. This results in cleaner, drier air that has positive impacts on livestock mortality, employee working conditions and the overall life of his facilities.
Peregrym has made environmental stewardship a consistent goal on his farm. Dwight adjusts his policies to mesh with the Agricultural Operations Practices Act and is continually sensitive to the needs of his neighbours. He runs as close to a model farm as one is likely to see.
Congratulations once again to all three winners of the Spectra Awards for your outstanding contributions to the pork industry!
GO BACK to Issue Overview of the December 2006 Industry Review