Linton Enterprises named Champion Grower for McCain Foods Ltd.

A3

By Angela Ferguson

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

Speak Up

Success doesn't come easy, and no one knows that better than the owners and staff of Linton Enterprises Inc.

Enlarge Photo

In the past six years, the Arthurette business has been recognized four times as one of the top 10 potato growers contracting for McCain Foods Ltd in Florenceville.

Last week Keith Sr. and his son Keith accepted the award for Champion Grower during the 2008 McCain Top 10 Growers ceremony held at the Northern Carleton Civic Centre in Florenceville.

Keith Sr. said being in the top 10 is "a lot of hard work."

"All these guys standing beside me," he said, referring to his fellow farmers, deserve praise as well as the top growers.

"This is not an easy position to reach," he added. "If it wasn't for our employees, we wouldn't be recognized. They need to be appreciated."

More than 300 potato growers and guests gathered for the 35th annual event to honour the top 10 of 64 growers in the area.

Administrative assistant for McCain's field department Debbie Robinson said the awards are given out based on the contract potatoes delivered to the plant over the past year.

"The potatoes are graded and given points," she explained. "The points are averaged and the contractors with the most points make up the top 10."

The potatoes are rated on a variety of factors, including size, defect level and colour.

President and CEO of McCain Foods Canada Fred Schaeffer said the company is recognizing the efforts of all contractors and awarding those "who have managed to go above and beyond."

"All of you play a critical role in our success," he noted.

Schaeffer provided the crowd with a perspective on the business and the industry in general.

"It comes as no surprise to anyone in this room that these are difficult times... difficult for growers, difficult for manufacturers and difficult for the broad agri-food industry. Both growers and processors are trying to figure out how to cope in a radically changing environment. This is an environment that is plagued with run-away commodity and input cost inflation...

"Rest assured we are not defeatist and are not taking this lying down. McCain is doing all we can to combat these head winds and we are committed to doing whatever it takes to grow our business."

Schaeffer said, in his view, three things need to be done to improve competitiveness and maintain volume.

"At McCain, we must continue to increase the efficiency of our plants and develop more innovative products that provide higher value to our customers. As New Brunswick growers, you must improve your competitiveness relative to the U.S. Together, we must push each other to remove costs in our system that are adding little or no value for either party."

Chairman of McCain Foods Ltd. Allison McCain said the three big issues this year include blight, currency and rising costs.

Following an overview of what is expected this year, McCain addressed the growers who were recognized during the award ceremony.

"Making the top 10 is impressive," he said. "It's not luck; it's good management."

Champion Grower, the Lintons, who run a four-generation farm, received an all-expense-paid trip for two to Bermuda, a personal trophy and a $1,000 cheque for their achievement. Their name is also etched on a large trophy, which displays the names of past champions. Each of the nine other winners received a plaque and a $1,000 cheque for their accomplishments.