Manitoba hog farmers help grow vibrant rural communities through economic growth as a result of expansion projects and barn builds. Since 2017, over 30 new barns or barn expansions have been approved across the province, amounting to over $150 million in private investment. Historically, southeastern Manitoba has led the way for hog barn development, but western Manitoba has experienced growth in recent years in communities such as Roblin, Killarney-Turtle Mountain, and the Rural Municipality of Grasslands.
Not only does the hog sector help stimulate the economy through projects, but it is also one of Manitoba’s largest employers with about 14,000 Manitobans depending on hog farming and pork processing to make their living. Hog farmers and sector workers are important and significant contributors to the rural communities they live in, strengthening their connections by contributing their time, skills, and resources.
Roblin is a shining example of how barn projects can revitalize a community by helping to retain and attract new residents to the town. One local hog farmer has even been able to grow his workforce to 35 full-time employees as a result of his barn expansion, employing an even split of people between both the town and other countries.
Newcomers who have come to work in the hog sector report that their local neighbours have welcomed them with open arms. They, in turn, have given back through activities such as joining the local fire department, volunteering in community projects, and helping to support local sports.
The locals were supportive of expanded development, recognizing and appreciating that the hog sector is now the largest private sector employer in the area. The hog sector also provides stable employment as jobs in barns are permanent, have zero risk of being automated or replaced, and the barns themselves have a lifespan of 30-40 years.
These projects also increase the demand for affordable housing as a result of new employment. Another local farmer made strides in the community by purchasing and refurbishing the old hotel in Roblin. After being updated, the building was used to provide accommodations for employees from outside the town until they purchased a home of their own. This project employed local tradespeople and contractors over and above the work that those same individuals did on the barn projects.
Economic spin-offs from new barn construction create jobs outside the hog sector. Take for example the local concrete company in Roblin. Over $1 million in raw material was needed to complete the expansion and construction of the barns, and five additional employees were required to work on the barn project.
Rural economies – particularly during COVID-19 – have struggled. Creating five jobs in a rural community means a great deal, especially when considering that those employees are spending money in town, supporting local stores and causes. Every $1 created by hog production in Manitoba generates $2.75 in economic activity, and every job in hog production generates upwards of five jobs in indirect employment.
An example of indirect employment is evidenced by the local Neepawa contractors who work on excavating and framing new buildings. They were instrumental in building the Roblin barns and gave the crew 10 months of work. At any given time, 30 employees (including five from Roblin) were working on-site, working on over 185,000 square feet of construction.
New and expanded hog barns also provide a significant market for local grain farmers given that a typical finishing barn requires upwards of 4,500 tonnes of feed annually. Crops provide an excellent local feed source that is free of biohazards which can arise from importing feed, not to mention lowering costs by eliminating the need to pay shipping, brokerage, and handling fees. The same can be said for local farmers; they no longer have to pay export fees to ship their crop overseas.
There are few social contributions that have a more positive impact on people’s lives than access to a good job, and we are proud to be one of the few sources of new job creation in rural areas. The economic development seen in the Roblin area alone will last for years to come and extends to surrounding areas, and other Manitoba communities undergoing expansion will see these same economic benefits. Manitoba hog farmers are proud to be part of growing our province and building strong and resilient rural communities, all while producing some of the highest quality food in the world.
To learn more, visit manitobapork.com/community
