Hunger remains huge challenge

The United Nations reported that  8.2 per cent of the world’s population experienced hunger last year compared with 8.5 per cent in 2023.

The worst was 9.9 per cent during the COVID-19 pandemic

Between 638 million and 720 million people faced hunger last year. With a midpoint estimate of 673 million people, it is the first time the actual number of people facing hunger has fallen below 2019’s estimate of 690 million people, said Laura Brooke, senior communications officer for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, jointly prepared by five U.N. agencies, focused on chronic, long-term issues and did not fully reflect impacts of acute crises brought on by specific events, such as war in Gaza.

Maximo Torero, the chief economist for the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization, said improved access to food in South America and India had driven the overall decline but cautioned that conflict and other factors in places such as Africa and the Middle East risked undoing those gains.

“If conflict continues to grow, of course, if vulnerabilities continue to grow, and the debt stress continues to increase, the numbers will increase again,” he said.

“Conflict continues to drive hunger from Gaza to Sudan and beyond,” said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Food affordability also continues to challenge food security, the Foodgrains Bank said.

“In Sudan, the average cost of a healthy diet has risen by over 28 per cent since 2017 due to the ongoing conflict,” said Stefan Epp-Koop, the foodbank’s senior manager.S

“That’s a burden many would find hard to carry. But for those who were already struggling due to poverty, it often feels impossible.

Funding cuts earlier this year to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) slashed funding for about 40 per cent of the world’s international aid programs, the Foodgrains Bank said. This, combined with cuts from other Western governments, mean the number of hungry people is expected to rise this year.

The Foodgrains Bank committed to reach more than 1.1 million people in 37 countries in 2024 and 2025 with food assistance and long-term livelihood and agriculture support.

                                                                

 

 

Agco reports solid profit

Agco has reported a second-quarter profit of $4.2 million, up from a loss of $4.9 million for the same quarter last year.

But sales declined by 18.8 per cent to $2.6 billion.

The results included the sale of the grain and protein business for $496 million.

                                                

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicken nuggets at risk

Chicken nuggets, highly-processed foods, food dyes and some other additives are at risk under President Trump’s administration.

Nicholas Fereday, executive director of Rabobank, issued the warning because the second MAHA report and updated federal dietary guidelines are due out soon.

Fereday warned that United States Secretary for Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s policies will demoniz chicken nuggets and other processed chicken products, as “ultra-processed.” Kennedy, in fact, has called them “poison,” he noted.

It will be up to the industry’s lobbyists to convince the administration of those products’ nutritional value. 

“You need to use your influence to try and get him (Kennedy) to view chicken nuggets in the way that he views bacon,” Fereday said.

“Some of this is highly personalized. For many people, bacon … would be classified as an ultra-processed food, but Kennedy has breakfast with bacon every morning, along with his eggs. And as far as he’s concerned, it’s not ultra-processed food. So, you need to task whoever you know in D.C. (Washington) to get that for your chicken nuggets, as well.”

Fereday said processors also are sure to see regulatory reform around artificial dyes, additives, preservatives. Also likely on the list for them to adapt to is regenerative agriculture, which while presenting benefits also introduces inefficiencies in production.

Those worried that their ingredient lists are long should know that there could be some “reverse engineering,” reverting to how food was made a couple decades ago. Fereday likened it to going from a laptop to a typewriter. 

“We don’t want technology in our food; that’s what the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) movement is saying,” he said.

Fereday cautioning that the consumer protein craze won’t continue forever, and so “more nuanced” marketing than just pushing higher amounts of protein will be required. Think about, for example,  the completeness of animal protein versus plant-based proteins, he said.

                                                

 

 

Pistachios under recall

Al Mokhtar Food Centre brand pistachios are under recall due to salmonella food-poisoning bacteria.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency found the source of an outbreak of food poisonings.

                                               

 

NFU blames supermarkets for high food prices

The National Farmers Union has attacked Canada’s five dominant supermarket chains for high food prices.

Food prices have gone up by more than the general rate of inflation, but prices received by farmers by less, it said.

Five grocery chains control 75 per cent of the market, the NFU said and shoppers have few choices, making it easier for retailers to raise prices without losing customers.

It said supply management is better for farmers and fairer for consumers.

Dairy and poultry are under supply management, but farmers producing other commodities have shown scant interest in adopting it.

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Temporary foreign workers may switch jobs

The federal government is considering caqnges to the temporary foreign workers program which would allow them to switch jobs if they have an employment offer from another farmer.

It would also apply to fisheries industry workers, according to a document leaked by an organization for temporary foreign workers.

It would be a huge gain for workers who now may only work for the farmer who brought them to Canada. Some have described that as slavery.

Internal documents from Employment and Social Development Canada – the ministry in charge of the program – detail proposals to introduce a new sector-specific permit for workers in the agricultural and fish processing industries.

The work permits would also be issued for two years instead of the current one year.

The internal document outlines six proposals for changes including guidelines related to housing, wages, access to health care and transportation for workers.

They were based on feedback from employer associations and labour groups gathered over  the past year.

There is no mention of another wish: that temporary foreign workers could qualify for permanent residence status after several years working in Canada.

                                                

 

Chicken production poised to soar

The national agency for chicken production has set the most ambitious production target in years - 7.5 per cent greater than base quota for the six-week production period from November 16 to January 10.

Chicken Farmers of Ontario said “demand for chicken continues to be strong. This is supported by competing meat prices, steady per capita consumption and overall positive economic indicators.”

Ontario’s increase set by the national agency is 7.6 per cent above base.

Ontario also announced changes that provide more chicken for new entrants and niche-market processing companies.

Dairy coops settle price-fixing case

Two dairy cooperatives,  Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) and Select Milk Producers, have agreed to a $34.4 million settlement in a lawsuit that accused them of conspiring to raise milk prices.

While the settlement does not necessarily admit wrongdoing, it resolves the legal dispute.

 

Bryne to chair farm products council

Brendan Bryne has been chosen chairman of the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Council, taking over immediately from Amy Cronin.

The council is one of the most powernful political positions in Ontario agriculture because it supervises all of the 51 marketing boards.

Bryne has been a member of the council, chairman of Grain Farmers of Ontario,

vice chair of the Presidents Council and former chair of the Essex County Soil and

Crop Improvement Association.

He is a graduate of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) and currently manages a cash crop farm operation that has been in his family for more than 100 years.

                                                

Dairy farm garners food safety funds

Sheldon Creek Dairy of Loretto has garnered more than $52,000 from the federal and provincial governments to improve food safety at their dairy farm business.

John and Bonnie den Haan have about 75 Holsteins and process their A2 milk for sale to consumers.

Federal and provincial politicians praised their program’s subsidies for helping Canadian farmers to improve food safety.

                                                

Canada-U,S. dairy policies explained

 

Al Mussel of Agri-Food Economic Systems explored Canadian and United States dairy policies in his most recent analysis and concludes that they are remarkably similar.

At the urging of U.S. dairy farmers, U.S. President Trump has put a high priority on gaining greater access to the Canadian dairy market.

Mussel said Canadian dairy farmers have been on the defensive in trade negotiations, but could throw rocks of their own at the U.S. dairy policies.

One of the U.S. complaints is about how Canada administers tariff-rate quotas – i.e. a permit system allowing limited volumes of imports are reduced tariff rates. Canada recently reached a deal with New Zealand over the same issue.

Mussel wrote that “import licenses in the U.S. are allocated based on

imports of record, effectively on a use-it-or-lose-it

basis.

“ Canada allocates its import permits based on

output/sales, also with a use-it-or-lose-it provision.

In both the US and Canada, provisions exist toil

are uncann

Canada uses supply management to improve milk prices for farmers, basically charging more for milk that’s sold as drink and less for milk used to make dairy products and the U.S. also has policies that result in higher prices for fluid (i.e. drinking) milk.

Mussel's analysis raises hope that dairy policy will not be the roadblock to a trade deal with Trump and that the outcome for dairy farmers will be similar to the recent deal with New Zealand.

Rowe Beef loses CFIA licence

 

 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has suspended its licence for Rowe Beef Co. Ltd. of Mississauga.

That puts it out of business until it can satisfy the CFIA that it has come into compliance.

The CFIA said it violated Safe Food laws “related to product control and misrepresentation.”

On its website, the company says it has “an unwavering dedication to food safety and unparalleled service.”

It is a family business established in 2005.

 

Saskatchewan grain farmer loses emoji case

 

A Saskatchewan grain farmer who argued a thumbs-up emoji to a grain buyer should not be accepted as a contract has lost his appeal to the 

Supreme Court of Canada because it declined to take up the case.

Chris Achter didn’t deliver 87 tonnes of flax so the company sued him for breach of contract.

Achter is on the hook for more than $82,000 plus interest and court costs.

Singapore company makes meat from waste

Mottainai Food Tech, a foodtech startup based in Singapore, has officially opened its pilot facility.

The company processes okara, a byproduct of soy milk and tofu production, into plant-based meat. The okara is fed to microorganisms, which create Jiro Meat through solid-state fermentation, transforming the fibrous, tasteless waste product into a plant-based meat. 

The okara is fed to microorganisms, which create Jiro Meat through solid-state fermentation, transforming the fibrous, tasteless waste product into a savory ingredient in 48 hours. 

Founded in 2022, the company was the winner of the 2022 DBS Foundation X NEA Hungry for Change Challenge. 

The new facility will be able to process 200 kg of the company’s Jiro Meat every two days, and a company spokesperson said the company gets is okara for free from a local company, under a partnership that ensures a steady supply for the next few years.

Of course, the simpler approach to making meat from okara would be to feed it to pigs.

Loblaws profits, sales rise again

Loblaws net earnings increased from $457 to $714 million in the second quarter and sales increased from $13.9 to $14.7 billion.

But in Manitoba, Iris Griffin who first alerted CBC journalists, was named as plaintiff, with Loblaw Companies Ltd. and three subsidiary chains named as defendants.

The class-action lawsuit alleges the “deceptive and misleading” practice violated regulatory requirements for accurate product quantity labelling and has continued “at minimum recklessly" if not deliberately even after the public revelations.

"They're making profit off of the backs of Canadians, one plastic tray at a time," Griffin told CBC last week.

A purchase she made in 2023 was documented to be inflated by 134 grams, or eight per cent  a volume equivalent to the weight of the ground beef’s packaging.

Loblaws is Canada’s largest supermarket conglomerate selling under many names, including Zehrs, Fortinos, Supercentres and No Frills.

Two Deere dealers become one

 

Premier Equipment, which dominates the John Deere retail market in Southwestern Ontario, is buying Green Tractors with nine dealerships that extend east to Kingston.

When the deal closes in November, Premier will have 20 dealerships.

In February Premier bought Hutchinson Farm Supply in Stouffville and in April W.J. Heaslip Ltd of Hagersville and a deal to buy Deerhaven Lawn and Garden Ltd. is due to close the end of this month.

Last year Premier partnered with Stotz Equipment which has 25 dealerships in eight western states.

“Premier’s growth initiatives in 2025 are carrying out a goal that has been years in the making,” said Allan Dueck, president of Premier Equipment.

Green Tractors formed with locations in Nobleton, Brampton, Milton, Omemee, and Port Perry, added Earlton in 2012, Kingston and Odessa in 2014 and Orono in 2022.

Deere has encouraged consolidations. It is the leading farm equipment manufacturer in North America.

It might be good for Deere, but it will likely prove more costly for farmers.

 

BC Tree Fruits Cooperative is near the end of winding up its business storing, processing, packaging and marketing growers’ fruits and it looks like it will have about $17 million left after all bills are paid.

Now comes the challenge of how to share that money with the grower-owners of the cooperative.

Co-op Rule 125 states that both current and former members are entitled to a portion of the surplus funds based on the tonnage they shipped to the packing house in its last six years of operation, 2018-2023.

However, those six years saw a good number of the co-op’s top growers end their contracts and take their fruit to other packinghouses in the hope of receiving better returns for their fruit.

The pool average payment system at BCTF did not favour growers who delivered high quality fruit. By some estimates, total bins delivered in 2018 were around 170,000 and that number fell to 74,000 in 2023.

Court documents indicate that current co-op members would receive about 68 per cent of the surplus, while former members would receive 32 per cent.

Amarjit Lalli represents a group of approximately 38 growers who want to change that rule so that only remaining members will be entitled to the surplus funds.

On the other side, growers say several generations of their families contributed to the co-op’s success and only left because results became intolerably poor. 

Some have said the business was plagued by political infighting, reports Country Life in BC newspaper.

Diseases-fighting coalition formed

Canada’s livestock and poultry sectors have created the Foreign Animal Disease Executive Management Board (FAD-EMB) to address foot and mouth disease (FMD), African swine fever (ASF), and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI.

It establishes a collaborative process for disease prevention, preparedness and response with federal, provincial, territorial and industry collaborative engagement. It is built on success the partners have had in forming a response to the threat of African Swine Fever.

The first meeting of the FAD-EMB was held in-person on June 24 when they identified the need for disease-specific work to continue through leadership groups, and there was agreement that the four-pillar model followed for African swine fever is applicable for other foreign animal diseases.

Themes that emerged throughout the day highlighted the importance of relationship building to support this collaborative approach. It was agreed that the FAD-EMB will not be a platform for lobbying efforts but is an unbiased forum for driving disease prevention, planning and response needs. The group recognized the potential for fatigue and the importance of regularly celebrating progress.

Next steps include drafting a charter and populating disease-specific leadership groups to maintain momentum on ASF, FMD and HPAI priority gaps. There was also acknowledgement of horizontal priorities that apply to all species. 

The FAD-EMB will plan to meet quarterly to collaboratively drive foreign animal disease prevention, preparedness and response.

The coalition also announced the launch of a nation-wide diseases alert system.

The dashboardThe Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System (CAHSS) launched a new disease alerts dashboard, which allows users to visualize disease alerts across Canada. Alerts can be filtered by disease type, animal type, region, time period, and more.

Disease alerts can be submitted by government officials, industry organizations, and private veterinarians using a form. All disease alert submissions are validated by CAHSS staff before posting.

 allows users to visualize disease alerts across Canada. Alerts can be filtered by disease type, animal type, region, time period, and more.

Disease alerts can be submitted by government officials, industry organizations, and private veterinarians using a form. All disease alert submissions are validated by CAHSS staff before posting.

 

Walpole Island had a rabid bat

 

Health officials have lab results that confirm a dead bat had rabies.

They strongly suspect a racoon, which has been submitted for lab tests, was also rabid.

Barrett named chairman

 

Michael Barrett of Lakefield, a Conservative Member of Parliament, has been appointed to a three-year term as chairman of the Rural Economic Development Advisory Panel. It is a part-time job.

The panel provides advice on applications for funding.

Barrett was elected a Conservative for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands in 2018 and was appointed shadow minister for ethics in 2019 and in 2022 shadow minister for health and under Pierre Polievre shadow minister for ethics and accountable government.

He was re-elected this year.

Buffalo cheese on recall

 

Testing by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency detected listeria food-poisoning bacteria in a batch of buffalo cheese.

Mount Becher Buffalo medium cheese is now on recall. It was distributed in Ontario and British Columbia.

 

Provinces on board with Agristability reforms

 

 Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald said the provinces are willing to improve AgriStability for the 2025 program year by increasing the compensation rate and payment cap.

Former Agriculture Minister Kody Blois announced the changes when he was briefly in charge,

The compensation rate will increase from 80 to 90 per cent and the maximum will imcrease from $3 to $6 million. However, provinces have to agree in order for the changes to occur.

MacDonald said after a July 17 virtual meeting ministers were “receptive” to this plan and agreed to take the steps required to make the changes.

 Under the federal-provincial agreement, changes to AgriStability can only be made if two-thirds of provinces agree. They share costs.

Graham Wideman loses appeal

 

Graham Wideman of Listowel has lost his appeal of a $10,000 fine for transporting a cow that was lame.

He conceded the cow was lame when he loaded her, but disputed the opinion of a Canadian Food Inspection Agency veterinarian who laid the charge at the St. Helen’s Meat Packers Ltd. of Toronto.

The tribunal chose to believe the CFIA report and not Wideman.

He also disputed the amount of the fine, but the CFIA said he had a previous conviction in 2019 and the tribunal agreed the amount is justifiable.

Lactalis to close new plant in Sudbury

Lactalis Canada said it will close its new plant in Sudbury by the end of this year.

It makes a milk-like product from plants since it re-opened in June of last year, but sales have been so poor the company is closing It again.

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation gave it $1.4 million.

The company attributes the abrupt closure to a “shift in market dynamics” and challenges stemming from the “broader economic climate.” These factors have reportedly led to a “sustained decline” in the performance of the plant-based beverage category.

Rabid bat captured in Grey-Bruce

 

Grey Bruce Public Health has confirmed rabies in a brown bat it submitted for lab testing.

It is the first case there this year.

"While the risk of acquiring rabies locally remains very low, this case highlights the importance of avoiding contact with wildlife and taking other steps to prevent animal bites and scratches," said Chimere Okoronkwo of the health unit.

Canada appeases Kiwis on dairy

 Canada has satisfied New Zealand’s complaints about dairy import rules, ending a years-long dispute which is similar to U.S. complaints.

Now there will be a deadline for import permit holders to bring in dairy products from New Zealand. There will be penalties if they fail to meet the deadline and the permits will go to others.

The move is expected to result in up to $128-million in extra trade, according to New Zealand.

Meats on recall

 

Nine brands of salami and cacciatore are under recall because of salmonella food poisoning bacteria.

The brands are Bona, Cosmo’s and Imperial.

They were distributed in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

They are linked to Rea brand salami recalled earlier.

It is testing by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency which identified the salmonella.

New potash mine opening delayed

BHP Group Ltd. of Australia said its Jansen potash mine 150 killometres east of Saskatoon is running 30 per over budget and its opening will be delayed about six months to mid-2027.

BHP is poised to break the Saskatchewan monopoly on potash.

BHP said the first phase of the Jansen project could cost $7 to $7.4 billion US compared with its initial estimate of $5.7 billion US.

It blamed the projection on “inflationary and real cost escalation pressures, design development and scope changes, and our current assessment of lower productivity outcomes over the construction period.”

Some of that stems from disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic on supply chains, and the resulting inflation as the world’s economy fired up after the health restrictions.

U.S. tariff on Brazil’s beef bites hard

 

The United States decision to impose a steep 50 per cent tariff on Brazilian goods, including beef, is rattling global protein markets, said Swineweb, adding that pork producers should take note.

Brazilian packers are halting shipments to the U.S. and cutting cattle purchases as they reassess demand. Industry estimates suggest Brazil could lose up to $1.3 billion in the second half of 2025, with losses doubling to $3 billion in 2026 if the tariffs remain.

Brazil, which supplies around 23 per cent of U.S. beef imports, plays a key role in filling the lean beef trim used to balan

Canadian beef packers and producers may find American buyers will bid up prices.

While pork is not directly included in the tariffs, the indirect impacts could reshape the market:

For example, as  beef prices rise for consumers, pork often becomes the go-to alternative, increasing domestic demand and possibly lifting prices, Swineweb said.

It also said Brazilian packers will look to divert products to other export markets, potentially crowding pork and poultry channels and introducing new competition.

Forty ports face uncertain ownership

China is threatening to derail a $23 billion deal for more than 40 global ports including two at the Panama Canal .

China insists that its state-owned shipping company, COSCO,  be included in the deal with BlackRock and Mediterranean Shipping Co. 

The ports are owned by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison which excluded COSCO from the deal.

United States President Donald Trump has already objected to Hutchison’s control of Panama Canal ports and recently threatened to “take back” the canal, accusing Panama of violating the treaty that transferred U.S. control. 

While BlackRock and MSC had initially signed an exclusive deal with Hutchison in March, all parties are reportedly now open to COSCO’s involvement — though no final agreement can be struck before the exclusivity window closes on July 27.

Pork council rejoins CFA

The Canadian Pork Council has rejoined the Canadian Federation of Agriculture.

It pulled out in 2013 because the CFA supported the supply-managed commodities when they called for no concessions on their trade protections during negotiations with the United States, the European Union and the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

The pork council was seeking trade gains for its exports.

Stephen Heckbert, executive director for the pork council, said it was time to join forces with other commodities given the trade uncertainties.

“There’s all sorts of trade pressures on us but also on agriculture as a whole,” he said.

Butter makers diss Country Crock

The American Butter Institute and the National Milk Producers Federation have sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration, and put out a press release  calling on Country Crock-brand margarine to be prohibited from using the term "butter" on its label .

The label does say the margarine is  "plant-based" or "dairy-free".

There was a time when the butter industry was so opposed to margarine that it demanded it not be colored to imitate butter in the Canadian market. And for decades there was a ban on blending butter and margarine so the blend would spread nicely from the refrigerator.

In today’s United States market, butter has made a come-back to 57 per cent of the masrket with margarine at 26 per cent and blends at 17 per cent.

Randy White elected treasurer

 

Randy White of Maple Leaf Foods has been elected treasurer of the American Meat Institute.

Meat-packing companies in Canada and the United States are members of the institute.

Peter Bozzo of Michael’s Fine Foods was elected executive vice-president.

Julie Anna :Potts is the president and chief executive officer.

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Sorry, you lost 200 staff

The United States is deporting about 200 employers of the JBS meat-packing plant at Ottumwa, Iowa.

The news came from the mayor during a municipal council meeting where he called for people to keep those facing deportation in their thoughts.

The 200 employees were previously legal workers, but the federal government has revoked their visas.

"JBS has been issuing 200 notices to people from Haiti, Cuba, Guatemala and Nicaragua,” the mayor said.

In May, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to proceed with the revocation of past administrations’ grant of temporary legal status for more than 500,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, based on political repression, violence or natural disasters in those countries. 

Some people losing temporary legal status may be able to apply for political asylum.

                           

Canada Post workers to vote

 

Employees of Canada Post will be voting on an offer from management of the  Crown Corporation.

The workers are frustrated after 19 months of bargaining, including a couple of strikes.

The corporation has said it is unable to offer workers much because it is losing money and business as people switch to online communications and competitors have taken the majority of parcel delivery business, including Amazon.

Ontario releases $5.4 million for ag research

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness announced it is releasing $5.4 million from a $40-million six-year fund announced earlier for agriculture research.

This tranche will fund 28 projects via the Ontario Agr-Food Innovation Alliance.

Among the projects are:

-using economic data to help farmers and businesses respond to market changes and explore new trade opportunities

- developing a battery-powered, AI-driven robot to manage pests in soybean fields

- creating healthier beehives using advanced technology to protect honeybee colonies from Varroa mites

-helping farmers lower costs by developing nutrition and production management strategies for pigs

         - alternatives to glyphosate for weed control

         - using drones for early detection of pests such as western bean cutworms and spider mites and for ‘spraying” parasites that attack those pests

         - finding a systems approach for countering Colorado potato beetles 

         - finding a way to raise queen bees to lessen reliance on imports.

         

 

                  

 

 

Clemens to expand Pennsylvania plant

Clemens Food Group, one of the nation’s largest pork processors and a buyer of Ontario hogs, is making a bold $130 million investment to renovate and expand its flagship facility in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. 

The expansion is designed to increase bacon, sausage, and value-added pork production while enhancing food safety, efficiency, and capacity, the company said.

Renovations to the existing 60,000-square-foot plant began earlier this year, and the expansion phase is set to break ground later this year. By the first half of 2027, the facility will be more than 100,000 square feet, signaling Clemens’ confidence in the growing demand for premium pork products.

“We are investing in this project to continue our commitment to the highest levels of safety and food safety, and to improve product flow,” the company’s spokesman said.

Organic producers can comment on rules

 

Canada’s organic farmers have until July 29 to comment on new organic standards.

One of the proposals would allow struvite to be used as fertilizer. 

Struvite is precipitated from waste water or can be claimed out of manure and food waste.

The white granular result is high in phosphorous.

The new rules would also crack down on producers who slip up on organic management.

There are also new wrinkles the required time between conventional management and organic.

The national and provincial organic associations have already submitted their comments; individuals can make their own comments to the Canadian General Standards Board before the July 29 deadline.

Simon Crouch dead at 67

 

Simon Crouch, who had a passion for agriculture while working almost 40 years in a variety of Chatham-Kent news media jobs. He was 67.

He was a radio producer, wrote a newswriter, hosted a talk show and was a television reporter.

Kim Cooper, a long-time active member of the agricultural community in Chatham-Kent, said Crouch will be remembered as someone who carried the torch from local farm broadcasting pioneer Harold Smith.

"Simon was kind of the second voice of agriculture in Chatham-Kent," said Cooper. "He was a proponent of helping any way he could... I always could count on Simon if there was something I needed to get into the press about different agriculture matters or issues. Simon was always there."

Elora plans Food Day BBQ

 Organizers in Elora said “Canada’s ultimate open-air BBQ is back! On Tuesday, July 29, the heart of downtown Elora transforms into a celebration of Canadian cuisine for the return of Elora’s Longest BBQ the official launch of Food Day Canada 2025.”

This free, all-ages event brings together more thqn 20 restaurants, local craft beers, wines and cider, live music in the evening and family-friendly activities.

Organizers hope to attract 10,000 people this year, up from 7,000 last year.

Food Day Canada and the Elora Mill are building the longest communal table Elora has ever seen, stretching across the Grand River. This table invites everyone to sit side by side, share stories, and celebrate the farmers, chefs, and neighbours who nourish our nation, organizers said.

Food Day Canada was founded in Elora by the late author, food laureate and culinary activist Anita Stewart.

It has become a national celebration of Canadian food and the farmers, fishers, chefs, and communities that shape it. 

Ontario seeks to exclude U.S. biodiesel

 

The Ontario government has posted a proposal to restrict biodiesel to Canadian-produced fuel.

It specifically intends to exclude biodiesel from the United States because the Ontario government claims it is subsidized and is driving Canadian competitors out of the market.

In a posting on its regulatory proposals website, the government said:

“Subsidies for U.S. biofuel producers, specifically the 45Z tax credit under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, threaten to shut down Ontario’s biodiesel production. 

“The U.S. 45Z tax credit provides significant subsidies to American producers of cleaner fuels, such as ethanol, biodiesel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and other transportation fuels. Such subsidies are not available to Canadian producers. The credit is awarded on a per-gallon basis, with the amount varying based on the fuel's lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions and whether a facility has satisfied labour requirements.  

“Renewable fuel policies such as the federal Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR) and provincial policies including those in Ontario, BC and Quebec are driving demand for increased volumes of renewable content such as ethanol and biodiesel in Canada. The 45Z tax credit is offering U.S. producers a strong competitive advantage over Canadian producers in this growing market for clean fuels. This is impacting the operational viability of Ontario’s facilities.  The continued presence of U.S. subsidies could result in permanent closure of Ontario’s biodiesel facilities and impact Ontario’s resource recovery objectives if no action is taken.

“In this policy proposal, we are seeking feedback on a domestic renewable content requirement for diesel fuel placed in the Ontario market.  Ontario is proposing to require three per cent of the renewable content required in diesel fuel to be produced in Canada.  This requirement represents 75 per cent of the renewable content that is currently blended in diesel fuel.  This enables the continued processing of some Canadian waste feedstock at clean fuel facilities in Ontario.

“Local biodiesel facilities are critical players in sustaining a circular economy in Ontario.  A circular economy is one where waste streams can be harnessed to produce value-added products, such as clean renewable fuels.  Some feedstocks in biofuel production may be supplied from Ontario’s waste streams (e.g. animal fats, used cooking oil and organics).

“The proposed domestic renewable content requirement would help maintain and sustain a circular economy in Ontario by supporting the continued operations of Ontario biodiesel facilities, which have a key role to play in effectively managing Ontario’s waste streams. This policy could also help recover more waste as a resource and is necessary to enable longer-term innovation and development of Ontario’s circular economy.”