Farmers optimism inches up

 

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer inched up by three points in October to 126.

The index for farm capital investment posted its strongest reading in nearly a year.

Their biggest concern remains the high input costs of inputs and they are less pleased about trade policy and the country's long-term direction.

The university conducts a monthly survey of about 400 farmers.

Farmers informed about hog research

Saskatchewan farmers got an update on swine research via internet connections to scientists studying feed rations, animal welfare environmental impacts.

The Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium featured presentations by Swine Innovation Porc.

Dr. Atta Agyekum, research scientist in nutrition at the Prairie Swine Centre, told how her research targets precision delivery of rations that improve production efficiency at affordable costs and benefit environmental sustainability.

Dr. Luiene Moura Rocha, research scientist in animal welfare at the swine research centre in Quebec talked about weaning practices, animal welfare, health, antimicrobial use and growth.

Dr. Lee-Anne Huber, associate professor at the University of Guelph, talked about her research on reducing environmental footprint and feed costs while increasing competitiveness in grow-finish pigs.

McRib leads to lawsuit

The return of McRib sandwiches to McDonald’s menu has led to a lawsuit complaining that it’s not pork ribs but pork fashioned to look like ribs.

A federal judge in the United States is allowing proposed class-action lawsuit against McDonald’s to move forward.

United States District Judge April Perry rejected McDonald’s bid to dismiss the case, saying it was too early to conclude that reasonable consumers would not expect rib meat based on the sandwich’s name and advertising. 

The lawsuit alleges McDonald’s shaped the patty with rib-like ridges and marketed the product in a way that encouraged consumers to believe they were purchasing a sandwich made with rib meat rather than other pork ingredients. 

Judge Perry wrote the plaintiffs’ understanding of the term “McRib” was “not unreasonable or fanciful.”

CFIA suspends Grace’s Choice Inc.

 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has suspended the licence for Grace’s Choice Inc. of Toronto for failure to comply with food safety standards and regulations.

It faulted the company over labelling, recall preparedness, traceability, hazard identification and complaint procedures.

Milk price to increase by 2.8 per cent

 

Milk prices will increase by 2.8 per cent on February 1, the Canadian Dairy Commission has announced.

Fuel and feed costs have risen, but so too has the value of beef-cross calves.

The commission initially calculated an increase of 3.5548 per cent was warranted, but reduced that to 2.8 per cent after consulting  stakeholders including the restaurant trade, supermarkets, farmers and processors/

Some of them said cost-of-production increases may not persist into next year.

Rabobank foresees trouble for pork

 

Rabobank predicts weakening global demand for pork which is reducing prices and squeezing farmers’ margins so they may reconsider production plans for next year.

Rabobank’s October Global Pork Quarterly Q4 2026 report warned that disappointing third-quarter markets in North America, Europe and China had increased pressure on producers despite relatively modest expectations for supply growth.

In the United States, pork cutout values were running 25 per cent below year-ago levels, driven partly by declining demand for bellies and hams. Belly prices had declined by 39 per cent year over year to their lowest seasonal levels since 2017, while ham prices were down by 19 per cent.

Rabobank attributed the weakness to reduced foodservice demand, limited retail promotions and consumers facing continued inflationary pressures. Shifting dietary preferences also contributed to slower demand for processed meat products.

AGCO weathering tough market

 

"AGCO delivered resilient third-quarter results in what is the weakest global industry demand environment in more than a decade," said Eric Hansotia, AGCO's chairman, president and chief executive officer.

He said machinery companies face higher input costs and uncertainty in commodity markets and trade, but AGCO survived by adjusting production to demand, maintaining cost discipline and managing dealer inventories.

“We also advanced our Farmer-First strategy by strengthening the market position of our premium brands and expanding precision agriculture solutions that help farmers automate tasks, address labor constraints and get more from their equipment," he said.

Net sales for the first nine months of 2026 were approximately $7.2 billion, an increase of seven-tenths of one per cent from last year.

Net income was $177.2 million compared with $625.8 million.