'I don't regret going to Canada for a moment'

Pig farmer Frans van der Zanden emigrated to Canada in 2006 to try his luck there. About 12 years later, the Dutch Canadian concludes that he is in the right place. "It's good farming here, but you have to seize the opportunities yourself."

The roots of Frans van der Zanden (60) lie in Deurne (North Brabant). Before emigrating to Canada with his wife and daughters in 2006, he had been a pig farmer in Helden-Beringe in Limburg for 25 years. In the Canadian province of Ontario, he has a closed farm with 600 sows and 5.500 fattening pigs, divided over 2 locations. In 2010, his family adopted Canadian nationality.

How did you end up in Canada?
"I was already thinking about emigrating in the 90s. The adventurous blood runs in the family; my brother farms in France and cousins ​​of mine have a dairy farm in Canada. When I was on holiday there, it started to tickle. In my eyes the space offered opportunities. In addition, the legislation in the Netherlands became increasingly strict, although that was never the main motivation to leave."

"In 1995 we started to orient ourselves on emigration. However, our children were still young and my wife did not like the step. We decided to expand our company in the Netherlands. However, when swine fever broke out in our neighborhood in 1997 , we were sorry. At that point it was too late, because our company had become unsaleable. In 2005 it started to tickle again. Then we put our company on the market with growth prospects and it was quickly sold. After I had my company transferred, we settled in Canada in July 2006."

Did you already have a company in mind at the time?
"No, and we couldn't find anything right away either. In the end, we bought an arable farm with 80 hectares of land in Ontario. We started building a sow farm there in December 2006. The land under the farm is Canadian, but the building materials that we have used are European, for example, the barn equipment comes from Dutch suppliers and we produce with the trusted genetics of Topigs Norsvin."

And then came the piglets?
"Indeed. After the barn was completed in July 2007, the first piglets were sold 6 months later. To become a closed company, we also took over a fattening pig company. This was rebuilt in 2012 for 5.500 places. We work between the two locations with an 'all-in-all-out system'. We currently produce about 30 piglets per sow per year. We also grow part of the feed (wheat, maize and soy) ourselves. Together with a nutritionist, we put together the rations ."

There is no shortage of space in Canada. Do you have any other growth plans?
"In 2012 we built with the future in mind, but we haven't grown yet. We want to double the size of the sow farm. Expanding seems easier than it is, because you have to have land under your farm. You also have to can demonstrate in a 'Nutrient Management Plan' that manure disposal is arranged. For this, contracts must be concluded with arable farmers in the area. There is little livestock farming in our area, so we can dispose of the manure for free."

How did you organize sales?
“The fattening pigs are slaughtered at Sofina Foods and the meat goes to the supermarket chain Loblaw. We produce 'antibiotic free' and do so together with 20 other producers. Together we deliver 3.000 fattening pigs per week. In Canada, antibiotic-free meat is in high demand and we receive a premium of $23 per pig for this.”

"When I farmed in the Netherlands, I was actively involved in 'Milieukeur'. In Canada I also think along with the concept. We are also working on a virtual picture of the production process. In addition to domestic sales, meat parts are exported, which are to the United States, China, Japan and South Korea, among others.Sales are going well, because the Canadian meat has a good image."

European pig prices have fallen sharply. What about Canada?
"Here, too, the prices are lower than 1 year ago. In mid-August we receive approximately $1,55 per kilo, excluding a surcharge. Including the surcharge, we are still above the cost price. If the price drops, we can claim insurance (Risk Management Program). This insurance compensates for the losses in bad times."

Do you have any tips for pig farmers who are considering emigrating?
“First of all, realize that the grass is not always greener elsewhere. Here too, citizens have an opinion and animal activists are at the gates of slaughterhouses. So: know what you want and consider your choices. Starting a little later at a new location may work out better than taking over an existing company. In Canada it is good farming, but you have to seize the opportunities yourself."

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Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness. He also focuses on dairy, pig and meat markets. He also follows (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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