OPC is right around the corner, June 17-18

With most of the spring planting near completion across the province, the Ontario Pork Congress (OPC) is expecting large crowds at this year’s show at the Rotary Complex on McCarthy Road in Stratford.

Organizers have been working over the last 11 months to bring local farmers of all kinds, and especially those in hog farming, to set some time aside and have a look at the pork industry’s new innovations at the annual Stratford convention on June 17 and 18.

Also, it is a time to see old friends and neighbours and sit down later and relax in the Hospitality Tent, for a show that organizers feel is the best yet.

On June 17, the topic of the presentations this year is piglet care. Taste the Best Pork sampling featuring local restaurants and a brewery, where the “cut of choice” is pork shoulder and apricots.

The evening sees the annual Hog Jog and Weaner Run, organized by the Ontario Pork Industry Council, take place behind the complex.

This year the Hog Jog will be supporting the Emily Murphy Centre, a Stratford-based organization dedicated to supporting women and children who have experienced violence.

A new event this year is a Hog Jog live auction in the Hog Jog dining area, where participants will be able to buy boxes of back ribs, tenderloins and boneless butts.

On June 18, the OPC committee says those interested won’t want to miss the Bacon Maker Classic live hog show, which is a youth swine competition open to ages nine to 21. The competition runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with an award ceremony between 3-4 p.m.

There will also be a past presidents’ luncheon event, international workers educational event and a pork quality competition, which this year will feature different cuts of meat instead of the whole carcass.

OPC president Victoria Stewart, knows there is something for everyone at this year’s show, and encourages visitors to come with an appetite to taste some of the best pork Perth County has to offer.