Warner Transport loses appeal of fine

 

Warner Transport of Thedford has lost its appeal of a $13,000 fine by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in connection with a load of hogs it delivered to Conestoga Meats of Breslau.

Ten of the 270 market hogs that Warner Transport were either dead or euthanized on arrival.

Despite a spirited defence by William Warner, co-owner of the company, the Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal confirmed the fine.

Warner explained that the density guidelines do not reflect the lean body condition of the hogs now being raised and transported in Canada. 

Since the 2001 publication of the Transport Code, hogs have been

bred to have more muscle mass, which is denser than fat. 

Therefore, hogs today are leaner at a given weight than they were when the guidelines were created. Warner testified that their lean body condition means market hogs take up less space and correspondingly have more space available to them in the trailer despite being of

equivalent weight.

There was testimony that the Berdix trailer used in this shipment has a ventilation system that is different from pot-bellied trailers and hogs are less likely to seek warmth by crowding away from side openings.

"Although there is some logic to Warner Transport’s arguments," tribunal member Patricia Farnesse wrote “I am not persuaded that the loading density guidelines in the Transport Code should be set aside in this case.”

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency website reveals that several livestock and poultry trucking companies have been fined $9,000 and 

$10,000 each this year.

Lisa MacDonald appointed

Lisa MacDonald of Elora has been appointed to a three-year term on the Rural Economic Development Advisory Panel.

She is a councillor on Centre Wellington Council and a member of the Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators.

She holds a certificate from Osgoode/York University in Administration of Boards, Tribunals and Commissions.

Fuel drives inflation higher

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development reported that inflation in member countries averaged 4.5 per cent in September because fuel cost more.

That’s because Iran has blocked traffic in the Strait of Hormuz as part of its response to the attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran.

Average prices across the OECD were more than 40 per cent above their December 2019 levels, before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. On average, food prices are almost 50 per cent higher than before the pandemic, while energy prices are close to 70 per cent higher.

There are 38 countries that are members of the organization.

Farm details included in budget

 

The federal budget includes some modest changes for agriculture.

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program will be tweaked to “better align with regional labour market needs, in collaboration with provinces and territories, while improving processing time and strengthening employer compliance.” the budget documents said.

It also proposed to help transition up to 200,000 temporary residents already in Canada to permanent residency by the end of 2027.

Nieces and nephews and their children will be included in farm inheritance tax breaks.

The budget proposes regulatory amendments to the Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act, Feeds Act, Fertilizers Act, Health of Animals Act, Plant Protection Act and Seeds Act to modernize Canadian Food Inspection Agency fines and penalties and strengthen enforcement.

On the spending side, there is $176.9 million over three years starting in 2028-27 to renew the Wine Sector Support Program, $124 million over three years for the Local Food Infrastructure Fund, which supports food banks and other community food infrastructure such as greenhouses and food storage facilities, and $6.2 million over four years for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to support Canada’s Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, which could help power AI platforms in farming.

It also proposes amending the Agricultural Loans Act “to improve access to capital for farmers, support intergenerational farm transfers, reduce costs and administrative requirements for lenders and producers, and better reflect today’s agricultural realities.”

Saputo revenues, profits up

 

Saputo reported a 3.6 per cent increase in second-quarter revenues to $4,256 billion.

Net earnings were $213 million, up from $171 million for the same quarter last year.

Horse nutrition company supports the Royal

 

Mad Barn, a Kitchener-based horse nutrition company, has extended a partnership with the Royal Agriculture Winter Fair that began in 2023 to 2028.

It began with support for two events and now is for four events such as jumping and dressage.

Mad Barn is also an official partner with Equestrian Canada.

Emily Gilbert, high performance lead for Mad Barn, said nutrition is important for animal welfare, longevity and performance.

                           

Nutrition highlighted in Rabobank report

Rabobank said nutrition is becoming central to food industry growth strategies as consumers increasingly seek products that deliver measurable health benefits and companies invest in solutions that position food as an active contributor to health and wellness.

It said the emerging concept of “food as medicine” is gaining broad-based acceptance and reshaping how food and beverage brands, retailers and ingredient suppliers develop products, engage with consumers and create value.

For many years, healthier products were largely defined by what they excluded, such as sugar, calories, artificial ingredients and highly processed components. 

Today, consumers are increasingly looking for foods and beverages that proactively contribute to their well-being. 

Evidence-based claims related to protein, fiber, gut health, immunity and energy are gaining importance as consumers seek tangible functional benefits rather than simply cleaner labels.

That also reflects a demographic shift to a population that is living longer.

“Whether the movement reflects a broader consumer trend toward better health or a larger embrace of food as medicine as a concept, manufacturers, brands and retailers continue to invest in more nutritious ambitions,” said Billy Roberts, food and beverage economist with CoBank.

 

Market estimates place the global food-as-medicine sector at approximately $26.5 billion in 2025, with forecasts projecting double-digit annual growth through 2033. 

Ingredient developers are investing in clinically supported compounds that address immune health, digestive wellness, microbiome support and other targeted health benefits. 

Demand is also rising for ingredients that can be incorporated into foods and beverages at effective dosages while maintaining desirable taste, texture and convenience.

Scalability remains among the industry's most significant challenges. 

Delivering personalized nutrition solutions to large populations requires more than scientific innovation. Companies must also address supply chain capacity, ingredient availability, affordability, consumer education and regulatory considerations. 

Greater consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and minimally processed foods may place additional demands on agricultural production, cold-chain infrastructure and distribution networks.

Protein continues to stand out as one of the most influential nutrition priorities shaping consumer purchasing decisions. 

Fiber is emerging as another major area of opportunity. Consumers are looking foods for digestive health, blood glucose management, satiety and overall gut health.

Roberts said the biggest opportunities are likely to emerge where consumer demand, medical relevance, clinical evidence and scalable manufacturing capabilities intersect, positioning food as an increasingly important tool in supporting long-term health and wellness.”