A technical and economic study on labour productivity and the competitiveness of hog producers in Québec

Description

In this project we will evaluate labour productivity using different methodological approaches, including Statistics Canada’s methodology. We will adapt Statistics Canada's macroeconomic approach to the microeconomic level by correlating the added value on the farm with certain labour measurements (e.g., annual work unit). Other quantitative methods will also be used, including data envelopment analysis (DEA) and stochastic production frontier analysis (SPFA). The data will be obtained from studies on hog production costs conducted by Éleveurs de Porcs du Québec and Centre d'études sur les Coûts de Production en Agriculture (CECPA). At the same time, a second part of the project will involve conducting a qualitative analysis that will comprise two methods for collecting data in the field. First, we will conduct one-on-one interviews with producers and other industry stakeholders. These will be supplemented by a focus group for the purpose of confirming and/or validating the success factors identified by producers during the one-on-one interviews and by the quantitative analysis. Following the productivity assessment, project collaborators will analyze the results and identify best practices and recommendations that take into account the current industry landscape.

Objective(s)

• Assess work productivity in Québec’s hog production sector with the goal of identifying best practices and providing recommendations to the industry
• Measure labour productivity at various phases of swine production (maternity, nursery, fattening)
• Determine the success factors and also the practices of producers and operators that yield the best labour productivity results
• Make recommendations to Quebec's hog production industry that could bring about gains in labour productivity
• Establish specific hog production labour productivity benchmarks so an analysis can be made of the impact of new technologies and practices on productivity and business performance