Monday, March 18, 2024

COOL a hot topic again


As expected, the Canadian Pork Council has released a statement opposing new labeling regulations in the United States that allow “Product of USA” claims on meats. 


It said it’s disappointed the government did not take into account comments from the pork industries on both sides of the border.


“We are pleased the Government of Canada has already indicated it will be looking at options to correct the protectionist nature of these proposed regulations, and we ask the federal government to be vigilant to protect our market access,” said council chairman RenĂ© Roy. 


The Canadian Cattle Association took a similar stand.


But the decision has support from the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), whose president, Marc Perrone, lambasted the practice of repackaging meat that originated outside the U.S. as American, as ‘trickery’ and ‘cheating.’  


“Now, consumers can shop with confidence, knowing that when they buy products with the USA label, their money will actually go toward supporting America’s ranchers and meatpacking and processing workers,” Perrone said in a statement.


The union echoed U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack who said when the announced the new regulations last week that “this final rule will ensure that when consumers see ‘Product of USA’ they can trust the authenticity of that label and know that every step involved, from birth to processing, was done here in America.” 


He said in a statement that accurate labeling equips smaller producers with a compelling and truthful messaging that helps them compete more effectively.


That could be interpreted as an admission that the regulations hinder trade and are protectionist.

Friday, March 15, 2024

Another Enoki mushroom recall


 

There is another recall of Enoki mushrooms underway.


This time it is K-Fresh Enoki Mushrooms that made a customer ill with Listeria monocytogenes food-poisoning bacteria.


The 200-gram packages were distributed in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Grand River doubles innovation funds


Grand River Agriculture Society is doubling its offer to $100,000 for innovation.


The society is offering up to $10,000 to enable young Ontario companies in ag-tech, green-tech, and agri-food to seize market opportunities and secure sales of their products or services.


Over the last two years, the initiative provided funding for 10 Ontario companies to respond rapidly to global market opportunities.

“Rapid Response for Business Development provided $50,000 last year which led to $3.5 million in new sales, which is an outstanding ROI,” said Deborah Whale, vice-president and chair of the outreach committee. 

“We are committed to continuing this support of Ontario entrepreneurs so they can showcase their products, sell them worldwide and continue to thrive right here in Canada!”


The money enables investors to move quickly to take advantage of market opportunities and secure sales. It can be used to pay for eligible travel and associated costs required to “close the deal” with established business connections.


Working with CanLead Solutions, the next round of applications will open on April 1, 2024. The application criteria can be found at: https://grandriveragsociety.com/philanthropy/ .

Semen sales decline in U.S.

Semen sales for cattle declined by four per cent last year in the United States, failing to rebound from declines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

That four per cent amounts to 2.9 million units of semen.


Export values reached a record $306 million because prices increased.


Sales of dairy semen declined by five per cent, or 2.6 million doses.


Angus semen was the most popular for beef, but the surprise is second-place sales of heterosperic semen (a blend of semen from two or more bulls) – 1.3 million in the U.S. and 300,000 for export.

Land prices up by 10.7 per cent


 The average price paid for farmland in Ontario increased by 10.7 per cent last year. The previous year the increase was 19.4 per cent.


Across Canada, the increase was 11.5 per cent. Only British Columbia registered a decrease – 3.1 per cent – but its farmland prices remained the highest in Canada.


Demand for Ontario land came from a variety of sources, said the report from Farm Credit Canada, including large intensive, supply-managed farm operations, cash crop producers, part-time farmers and investors.

ADVERTI


Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Dr. Shane Renwick wins award


 Dr. Shane Renwick of the Canadian Veterinary Medicine association at Gelph has won the Medicine Stewardship award from the World Veterinary Association.


The award will be presented at the annual congress April 17 in Cape Town, South Africa.


He won for leading the development of the Stewardship of Antimicrobials by Veterinarians Initiative (SAVI) as well as a mobile app called Firstline



These tools help veterinarians working with many species to select the most appropriate antibiotic, if indicated, as well as dosage and withdrawal times.

 

Feds give another $97 mllion to clean technology


 

The federal government said it will fund another $97 million for farms and agri-businesses to adopt cleaner technologies such as more efficient grain dryers, solar power and precision agriculture technology.


It adds to almost $170 million already spent on 414 projects.


“Canadian farmers fully understand the need to take care of the environment and they are constantly innovating to find new solutions to reduce their emissions,” said federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay.


The new money is for 148 projects including 37 new grain dryers, 48 solar installations, and 31 purchases of “precision agriculture technology.


A further 14 projects for research and innovation are also being funded.