Thursday, January 15, 2026

Land prices uncertain


 

Whether land prices in the United States will go up or down this year depends on location, said Colton Lacina, senior vice president of Farmers National Company.


“After years of steady growth, we’re seeing the farmland market stabilize,” he said.


“This isn’t a sign of collapse but a recalibration that reflects current commodity prices, input costs and regional production conditions."


Areas with high crop yields, diversified farms, and dependable groundwater continue to attract buyers and maintain steady values, he said.


 Regions facing commodity price pressure, lower yields, or limited alternative income sources are seeing lower demand.


 “Farmland values are increasingly determined locally, sometimes down to the township,” Lacina said. 


“Buyers are carefully assessing soil quality, the percentage of tillable acres, water access, and how a parcel fits into their current operations. Those details matter more than ever.”


 Farmland remains a resilient, long-term asset, and well-priced properties are attracting strong interest, he said. 


Investors are particularly interested in how much they can charge for rent.

Olymel names Daniel Rivest CEO

 


Olymel has picked Daniel Rivest to take over from Yanick Gervais as chief executive officer effective in July.

Gervais will remain as strategic advisor until October,  
2027.

Gervais is credited with guiding Olymel through a significant transformation of its business model, strengthening resilience and performance during a period of operational and market challenges including huge losses and closure of a number of hog-processing plants.

Rivest joined Olymel in 2016 and has held several senior leadership roles, including senior vice president of sales and marketing, before being appointed chief operating officer.

He has more than 20 years of experience in food processing, played a key role in executing Olymel’s strategic plan and delivering recent operational results.

Gordon appointed to research board



 

Robert Gordon of Guelph has been appointed to a three-year term on Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario.


It was formerly the Ontario Research Institute of Ontario.


Gordon ius dean of Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph` which is the single largest recipient of Ontario’s agricultural research funds.

Seems to be a major conflict of interest.

Premier Ford defends dairy supply management


 

Premier Doug Ford told the annual meeting of Dairy Farmers of Ontario that he will fight to preserve supply management for dairy farmers.


“We’ll stand and fight day after day, but we’re never giving up supply management as long as I’m premier." 


He also said he is trying to save the auto industry which employs about 500,000 workers, but also noted that the dairy industry is responsible for 900,000 jobs.

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Sunova appeal dates set

Three years after Sunova Implements Ltd. filed an appeal against CLAAS of America Inc., the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal struggled to find dates for a public hearing.


Lawyers said they estimated the hearing could take up to five days followed by written submissions which could take another month, then another hearing date to review those submissions and then a decision. They finally settled on dates in July and August.


The pre-hearing session did not get into the reasons for the appeal which was filed Sept. 1, 2022.


Tribunal chairman Glenn Walker, who is a veteran with the tribunal, said he has never seen it so busy.


The lawyers said they should be able to shorten the case by submitting an agreed statement of facts on a number of issues.


Walker said he wants to take care “because this is an important case”.

                  

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

PED un Middlesex

On Jan.12 Swine Health Ontario reported an outbreak of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus on a farrow-to-finish operation in Middlesex County.

Atlantic Beef given $2.26 million

The federal government is giving Atlantic Beef Products Inc. $2.26 million to upgrade its kosher and halal meat packing at its plant at Albany, Prince Edward Island.

Canadian markets have been significantly short of kosher-certified beef.

The government said the money will be used for advanced processing and packaging equipment designed to improve food safety, to increase yields and reduce waste.

 Upgrades include steam vacuum systems to enhance hygiene, more efficient cutting and meat recovery equipment, and new packaging technology aimed at producing retail-ready halal beef products. 

An in-line X-ray analyzer was also included to strengthen quality control and product safety.