The topic of supply management has been raised in the news recently. A number of different media outlets have been examining the issues surrounding it and whether or not we would be better off with or without it. So far, all answers to those questions tend to depend what area you work in and whether… Read More
New Coke is a formulation and a branding error that will live in infamy forever. People hate when you mess with their favourite brands. The tiniest change can make a big impact. It’s a move that can be absolutely devastating if it’s wrong, but it’s also a move that can be extremely profitable if done… Read More
“Healthy alternative” is one of the most popular descriptive phrases circulating in North America today. Consumers are becoming more and more health conscious as the effects of years of poor eating habits are showing themselves all over the health care system. The North American food industry has had to make some big changes over the… Read More
Now that it looks like the Canadian Wheat Board’s single desk is about to be extinguished, it seems that the main stream media has turned its focus to the Canadian Dairy industry. Is the CWB situation the same as the supply mananged dairy industry? Should the Canadian dairy industry be in Gerry Ritz’s cross hairs next? … Read More
If the numbers don’t lie, organizations like Farmers Feed Cities and the agricultural community at large have a lot of work to do. According to a recent study by that organization, 97 percent of Ontario residents agree that farming is important to the future of the province yet only 41 percent of 18 to 34… Read More
The global demand for wheat is expected to double over the next forty years – and Canada can play an important role in meeting that demand. In addition to its growing prominence on the world stage, what makes wheat truly exciting is its significant potential for technology transformation – and Canadian agriculture has the opportunity… Read More
As a livestock producer, how many times have you heard, “We need to produce what the consumer wants.” That is a simple impactful statement but is not as easy as it sounds. What does the consumer really want in its beef products? Do we know? Does the consumer know? Market research is key to finding… Read More
The Canadian wheat industry is changing, especially in the west. The elimination of the single desk is the key factor driving that change. Across the country, everyone involved in the industry is evaluating and strategizing in an effort to determine how this will affect their business and what they have to do to successfully adjust… Read More
With the devastating effects of the E-coli outbreak in Germany being played out in the media, the results of a U.S. study on the increased shedding of another strain of the bacteria by cattle fed corn DDGs is getting more attention than it normally would . The U.S. study linked increased levels of E-coli 0157… Read More
At first glance, Patrick Moore resembles more CEO than ecologist, but give him a topic like the opposition to genetically modified crops, and you get all the emotion you’d expect from someone who helped found Greenpeace. Moores involvement with Greenpeace started in the late 1960’s in opposition to nuclear testing and the arms race and… Read More
The G20 may be dealing with one of the most universally concerning issues its ever faced as it attempts to address the wild swings in food prices across the globe. The developing world is most urgently in need of help as the prices of basic staples have reached levels previously unheard of. Political unrest, malnutrition… Read More
By Stewart Skinner, (@modernfarmer) I found watching the election progress on Twitter exciting on Monday night (you could argue I should get out more) and I got caught up a bit in the overwhelmingly negative reactions to the Conservative majority. I’m guessing that most of the pessimism stemmed from the younger, more liberal community that… Read More
For businesses involved in the food industry, a consistent, quality ingredient is a necessity. This is especially true for those involved in baked goods. For those businesses, wheat is a very important ingredients. For Warburtons Foods, based in the U.K., Canadian wheat is specifically what they need and want. Those needs include certain characteristics specific… Read More
By Jason Stroeve It’s a running joke that while it costs you $55 to $100 dollars a year to get into Costco, it usually costs you at least $200 dollars every time you leave. I like shopping at Costco and apparently so does the rest of the world. If you’re successful at navigating the parking… Read More
If you cannot see the embedded video above click here. There are extreme challenges in the grocery store in trying to decipher all the labelling, marketing and propaganda. With the current rise in food prices there has been an increased coverage of what food costs in the mainstream media. Some of the most expensive food… Read More