What is the Western Hog Section?

The Western Hog Section is a hog production value chain in Western Canada that ensures prosperity of farmers in the region. Members receive personalized advice on nutrition, animal health, farm management, and water quality.

The Western Hog Section is aimed at hog farmers in Alberta and Saskatchewan. It unites the strengths of Sollio Cooperative Group, Sollio Agriculture and Olymel.

Patronage refunds for member farmers

The program proposed by the Western Hog Section allows a sharing of wealth to the members of the section.

At the end of each year, member farmers receive a rebate applicable to their activities from the previous year. Patronage allocations are made to members on a pro-rata basis according to the transactions carried out and the refund voted by the Board of directors. The patronage refund is voted at the Annual General Meeting of Sollio Cooperative Group.

The refund is paid in the form of cash and shares. Members can also request that the part paid in shares not be included in their revenue until the year they dispose of them.

How much do member farmers make? The better they comply with the specifications, the bigger their refund.

An evolving program

The program allows farmers to produce Olymel certified hog, which must meet highly detailed specifications.

This has many advantages for pork producers:

• Partnership that promotes solidarity between members

• Flexible short-term model enabling gradual, smooth implementation

• Personalized advice and support from Sollio Agriculture and Olymel consultant

• Highly personalized approach to sharing expertise in nutrition, animal health, farm management and water quality, all accessible from a single point of contact