Photo: Back row (L-R) Kirk McLean, Drew De Bruyn, Henry Groenestege, Doug Ahrens.
Font Row (L-R) Mandy Ropp, Abel Lopez, Joe Dwyer, Victoria Stewart, Dave Ross, Matt Aarts.
The Ontario Pork Congress (OPC) Annual Meeting took place on October 20, 2025, at the Arden Park Hotel in Stratford, Ontario, with over 50 attendees.
At the event, Arnold Drung, President of Conestoga Meats, was honoured with the Ontario Pork Industry Leadership Award. Drung has been a dedicated supporter of the OPC for over 23 years. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the Ontario pork industry through research, education, extension, or industry service.
The OPC also celebrated the success of the 2025 Ontario Pork Industry Council Hog Jog, held in conjunction with the Ontario Pork Congress. The event raised over $49,000 for the Stratford House of Blessing Food Bank, which supports individuals and families facing food insecurity in Stratford and surrounding areas. More information is available at www.hogjog.ca.
The new OPC Executive Committee for 2026 was announced:
- President: Victoria Stewart;
- 1st Vice President: Drew De Bruyn;
- 2nd Vice President: Abel Lopez;
- Secretary: Joe Dwyer;
- Treasurer: Matt Aarts;
- Directors: Henry Groenestege, David Ross, Mandy Ropp, Doug Ahrens.
Past President Kirk McLean announced that the 2026 Ontario Pork Congress will be held on June 17–18, 2026, at the Stratford Rotary Complex in Stratford, Ontario.