AgScape, Ontario’s branch of Agriculture in the Classroom-Canada, is hoping other farmers will be like Jim McMillan and consider its organization when it comes to their next charitable donation. Launched this week is this Fill the Shoes of Tomorrow’s Agriculture Leaders campaign aimed to raise money for the development and delivery of hands-on programs to help kids… Read More
Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Limited has confirmed its acquisition of Thornloe Cheese from EastGen. Located in Northern Ontario, Thornloe Cheese has been a local producer of cheese and cheese curds near Thornloe, Ont., for over 75 years. Employing about 30 people, Thornloe is known for its speciality cheese and recently introduced the first butter and… Read More
Following months of decreased beef slaughter capacity in Ontario, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has cancelled Safe Food for Canadian licences for Ryding-Regency Meat Packers LTD., located at Toronto; Canadian Select Meats Inc. (operating under St. Ann’s Foods Inc); and The Beef Boutique LTD, (operating under St. Ann’s Foods Inc.). CFIA says the decision… Read More
In a move considered long overdue by livestock producers, transporters, and processors, Ontario’s agriculture department is set to introduce new legislation to better protect farmers, farms, and the food supply from animal rights extremists. Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, is set to introduce the Security From Trespass and Protecting Food Safety… Read More
It’s been over two months since the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) suspended the license of a beef slaughter and processing plant in Ontario, and the shutdown is taking a toll on the eastern Canadian beef industry. Toronto-based Ryding-Regency Meat Packers Ltd. saw the suspension of its Safe Food for Canadians license effective September 17,… Read More
Incumbent Keith Currie has been re-elected as president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, currently holding its annual general meeting at Hamilton, Ont. Currie received the nod after an election with challenger and current vice-president of OFA, Peggy Brekveld. Currie has served three, one-year terms as president. In his acceptance speech, Currie said, “You would… Read More
Lori Litherland, who established and ran Ontario-based Litherland and Co. human resources for 26 years, died in early June of this year. When she became ill, she founded and endowed a registered charity, Lori Litherland Foundation, to raise funds so that financially disadvantaged students would have the opportunity to attend university and follow their passion… Read More
The rising protectionist agenda across the world has made agricultural trade difficult between once-friendly trading partners. Farmers in Canada and the U.S. have felt the impacts of strained exports, but how their governments have recognized these challenges is different. Although both countries have faced financial challenges on the farm, U.S. producers across a broad spectrum… Read More
Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ernie Hardeman, is back in the province after leading a trade mission to South Korea and Japan. Joining the minister was Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and several industry members, representing Ontario farmers. In an op-ed released following the trip, Hardeman says, “It… Read More
Livestock feed company, Trouw Nutrition Canada (Shur-Gain) will complete its purchase of Yantzi Feed & Seed Ltd. early next mont. The acquisition includes Yantzi’s feed manufacturing, grain storage, crop input facility and retail store at Tavistock, Ont., the grain elevator on Line 29 North East of Tavistock and the retail store and crop input business… Read More
Ontario’s government has released its proposed animal welfare model to replace the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) Act. Earlier this year, the OSPCA informed the province it would no longer carry out animal welfare enforcement in the province, necessitating a revamp of the current animal welfare enforcement model and rules…. Read More
While parts of Canada may have been looking for change, the move to a Liberal minority likely won’t change dairy producer priorities. “I would say it’s fairly status quo for us,” says Murray Sherk, Dairy Farmers of Ontario. “We work with whatever party (is) in power. We have good relationships with the Liberal Party…and they… Read More
A slow start, high winds, and less-than-ideal harvest conditions have many farmers in the Maritimes working overtime to try to get the crop in before snow flies. “For 2019, we had again a slower start, really things didn’t crank up until well into May,” says Syngenta Canada’s Eric Richter, in this excerpt from RealAg Radio’s… Read More
In less than two weeks, Ontario food processors along with other businesses can apply for money under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP). Application intake begins November 4th, and is geared towards agri-food businesses looking to increase food safety, develop new markets and expand their operations. “Our government is committed to helping food processors and other… Read More
One of the most important metrics in improving profitability and productivity (not to mention animal welfare, and arguably, environmental stewardship) is feed quality. In this episode of the Beef School, Leland Fuhr, DairySmart Nutrition and BeefSmart Consulting, provides tips on everything from sampling winter feed to analyzing the results. After all, as Fuhr says, “you… Read More