Category: Covid 19

The Canadian Pork Council (CPC), on behalf of pork producers, is asking the federal government to consider “targeted enhancements” to AgriStability. In a departure from the ask put forward by most in the agriculture industry, the CPC has sent a letter to the federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) agriculture ministers asking them to consider leaving… Read More

Organizers of the FarmTech Conference, which was scheduled to take place January 26-28, 2021, have made the decision to cancel. The FarmTech Foundation of Alberta — which is comprised of the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions, Alberta Canola, Alberta Pulse Growers, and Alberta Seed Growers Association — says it made the decision to ensure the… Read More

Back in February, the opportunity for pork and beef protein exports from North America to China was so promising. The potential vacuum of demand for proteins after African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks in the Chinese pork industry could have been filled by North America, but COVID-19 has thrown a wrench in the whole prospect. “The… Read More

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is expanding eligibility for agriculture societies to apply for funding to help offset financial losses due to the cancellation of fall fairs, exhibitions, and activities during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. For this year only, nearly $1 million will be made available to all qualifying agricultural and… Read More

The Maple Leaf Foods hog plant at Brandon, Man., has temporarily suspended pork exports to China on a voluntary basis. China has recently instituted new rules where any plant reporting COVID-19 cases is required to suspend exports. The Brandon plant has seen over 50 cases of COVID-19 among employees in the last few weeks, accounting… Read More

The board of directors for Manitoba Ag Days has made the decision to cancel the largest indoor ag show in Canada, originally slated for January 19-21, 2021. Manitoba Ag Days is the latest to join the list of canceled events, and the schedule for farm shows in the near future is looking pretty bleak. The… Read More

There have been dramatic impacts on the Canadian and global economy due to COVID-19. In the midst of all of this, one might wonder where the global and domestic economies are headed and what the future might bring. “The first thing that comes to mind when you think of things being unprecedented, more than anything… Read More

Dr. David Hughes, aka Dr. Food, has travelled the world speaking about the business of food and drink. Recently, he didn’t have to travel far from his home in Wales — only as far as his armchair — to deliver his message as the opening keynote speaker at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference, held online… Read More

Supply chains for all commodities experienced huge disruption beginning in March and into April. Grocery stores and restaurants all had to adapt to the impacts of COVID-19, and McDonald’s Canada was no exception. After temporarily changing its sourcing to about 20 per cent of its beef coming from outside of Canada, McDonald’s says it’s now… Read More

Domestically, Canada’s agri-food system is facing a lot of challenges, but the pressures aren’t from just within the country. Many newly-felt pressures are from external forces. A new report from Agri-Food Economy Systems based out of Guelph, Ont., outlines these new pressures on agri-food policy in Canada. The list of those pressures in the report… Read More