Judge certifies farmers beef price-fixing lawsuit

 

A federal judge has certified a nation-wide class-action lawsuit for farmers who claim beef packers conspired to lower prices for their csttle.

The judge dismissed U.S. Premium Beef shareholders from the lawsuit,  but certified it against Tyson Foods, JBS, Cargill and National Beef for cattle they bought between June 1, 2015, and Feb. 29, 2020.

The judge refused certification for traders and suppliers of feeder cattle.

He rejected a motion from the packers to have expert witness Dr. Basil Lamb dismissed from testifying for the farmers.

Ten fire departments fight barn fire

 

Ten fire departments from Huron and Bruce counties fought a barn fire in South Bruce Friday.

Nobody was injured during the response to the barn on Concession Road 4 and Sideroad 25 near Teeswater.

The fire destroyed two structures filled with hay and straw. No livestock were lost.

The Ontario Provincial Police said the fire is being investigated as suspicious.

Loblaws sales, profits increase

Loblaw Cos. Ltd. reported a 4.1 per cent increase in sales and a profit of $751 million compared with $714 million for the second quarter of its fiscal year.

Sales were $15.3 billion.

Same-store sales increased by only 1.6 per cent which is less than food inflation measured by Statistics Canada.

Canadian whey exports to U.S. to be tariffed

 

Canadian exports of whey and similar dairy proteins to the United States are scheduled to be hit with a 50 per cent tariff on Aug. 19.

President Donald Trump repeated attacks on Canada’s supply management system for dairy and poultry when he signed the new executive order.

Canada is exporting about $200 million worth of dairy proteins to the U.S., most of it whey.

There is keen demand for protein foods, much of it stemming from the injection of GLP products to reduce weight and control diabetes.

Canada ‘s dairy industry has long sought markets for skim milk powders and whey and before it discovered a way to export to the U.S., was selling its surplus as feed for calves and other livestock.

AGCO sales down 19.7 per cent

 

Farmers are tightening their belts and are reducing new machinery purchases, prompting AGCO to adjust production and dealer inventories.

Its sales in North America were down by 17.9 per cent for its second fiscal quarter and by 15 per cent for the first half of the year.

It fared better on world-wide totals which were down by only one per cent in the second quarter.

“While near-term market conditions are difficult, we are confident in the strategic actions we have taken to strengthen AGCO's competitive position and are committed to executing our Farmer-First strategy, expanding technology adoption and creating long-term value for our shareholders,” said Eric Hansotia, AGCO's chairman, president and chief executive officer.

Feds promise $50 million

The federal government is promising to give National Products Canada $50 million to support investments in food manufacturing.

The government set up National Products Canada in 2015 as a non-profit organization. So far it has invested $11.9 million in early-stage ventures.

CFIA cancel, suspends licences

 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has cancelled the licence of Dan Gifts Inc. of Laval, Que.

It said the company failed on the following points:

 

• Identification and analysis of hazards;
• Complaints, recall and traceability procedures;
• Failure to give assistance to the inspector;
• Failure to provide the requested documents, information and access to data.

It also suspended the licence of Montreal Pita Inc.

It cited sanitation, biosecurity and biocontainment; pest control, and implementation of a preventive control plan.