Oct 15, 2003 12:00 PM,
by Joe Vansickle, Senior Editor (952) 851-4670; jvansickle@primediabusiness.com
PIC has acquired Cotswold Swine Genetics of North America, exemplifying PIC's commitment to enhancing the North American marketplace and providing additional benefits to its existing customer base, states a company release. Seven distinct lines will be added to the 17 pure lines that PIC maintains.
PIC has also secured the rights to market Cotswold Genetics in Mexico and Australia.
For the time being, Cotswold will continue operating under its own name, servicing and selling products in use by its customers, states Chris Steiner, vice president, PIC Canada Ltd. PIC will also operate a nucleus farm and an AI center to service the customer base.
“The acquisition represents a unique opportunity for producing positive benefits to customers of both organizations,” says Dennis Harms, general manager, PIC North America. “Our efforts moving forward are aimed at the continuous delivery of the highest health breeding stock, related support tools and service components for the betterment of our combined customer base.”
There was a lot to be positive about in the pork industry the last week of October. I realize it is difficult to be optimistic when you are still losing $25 to $30/head. I also realize that positive news at this point could be as dangerous as it is welcome. But facts are facts, and we must recognize them.
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As I begin this week's column, I"m reminded of two different "flip side" statements that may help characterize the topic at hand. The first is the old Archie Campbell schtick - "That's good - no that’s bad," which I have used before. The second reflects President Truman's frustration with economists' incessant use of the qualifier - "on the other hand" - to introduce the contrary opinion on a given topic. President Truman once demanded in his usual colorful language: "Will someone please find me a *!&%$*?>
