Hog producers in the Southeast have reason to be optimistic.That from Karl Kynoch, Chair of the Manitoba Pork Council. He was in Steinbach Thursday for the Pork Council's semi-annual meeting. Producers were given a state of the industry and heard a presentation from Maple Leaf Foods Agribusiness Group President and COO Scott McCain. McCain reassured producers his company will still need to buy about 75 % percent of the hogs it puts through its production facilities. That news along with the focus on Manitoba as a centre for his food processing business is a big relief for local producers. Kynoch adds producers have been concerned for several years about the packing plants losing money. And the question of long term sustainability has come up often. He says this consolidation in our province is a big relief, knowing the pork industry will remain strong in Manitoba.