Pork touts its economic impact

 

Canada’s pork industry contributes more than $24 billion in economic activity and supports approximately 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, said the Canadian Pork Council in a new report.

It said this underlines the importance of continued government support for preventing the spread of diseases, for research and international trade.

It starts at farms, but includes their demand for inputs such as feed, veterinary services and medications and jobs in meat packing.

Canadian hog farms generated $7.2 billion worth of in farm income in 2025; pork exports were valued were worth $5.82 billion.

MacDonald snubs parliamentary committee

 

Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald is snubbing a parliamentary committee to go ahead with the closure of seven research facilities, including a food safety lab at Guelph.

In his reply to the agriculture committee’s report, Science in Canadian Agriculture and the Closure of Research Centres, he said he noted the recommendation to “pause and reverse” the closures in Lacombe, Alta., Indian Head and Scott, Sask., Portage la Prairie, Man., Guelph, Ont., Quebec City and Nappan, N.S. but said research will continue at other locations.

Farm organizations all opposed the cuts. The Saskatchewan government stepped in, signing a memorandum of understanding to keep its two farms operating with industry support.

“Closure of the research and development centres will be phased and carefully managed” and many staff will be retained, reassigned or relocated, MacDonald said.

He is cutting 665 positions in his agriculture department and 587 at his Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Trump eyes potash deal with Belarus

United States President Donald Trump said he is negotiating a “massive’ deal to buy potash from Belarus.

That sent shares in Nutrien, the world’s largest potash producer based in Saskatchewan, tumbling down.

Canada has long been the United States’ main source of potash.

Belarus is a close ally of Russia and is much further from the U.S. farmers, especially in the main field crops area immediately south of Saskatchewan.

Canada has granted the province’s potash miners the right to work together on pricing exports.

It’s not yet clear whether BHP, which is in the process of opening the largest potash mine in Saskatchewan, is prepared to join the export cartel. Its head office is in Australia.

Trump said the deal he is negotiating will be at a lower price.

Nutrien sells about 80 per cent of its potash exports to the United States which last year bought $4.2 billion worth.

Canada Pork gets $3.8 million

 

The federal government is giving up to $3.8 million to Canada Pork to diversify its export markets, mainly to Asia.

About 70 per cent of Canada’s pork is exported.

Diversification is core to Canada Pork's mandate, and this investment helps us build and maintain international markets, reach new global customers and keep our industry strong at home," said Hans Kristensen, chair of Canada Pork.

Greenhouse gets $5 million from feds

Kinghaven Farm is getting $5 million from the federal government for a new greenhouse near King City, 

Kinghaven will produce leafy greens such as lettuce.

Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald said the money will come from the new National Food Security Strategy announced recently by Prime Minister Mark Carney.

The money will be used for adopting and customizing automation and climate control technologies at the new greenhouse.

“Controlled environment agriculture is key to building a resilient, stable food system in Canada,” MacDonald said. 

“This investment in Kinghaven Farms’ innovative greenhouse technology will boost local production, reduce reliance on imports and ensure Canadians have reliable access to high-quality, locally grown greens year-round. This project strengthens food security and reinforces Canada as a leader in sustainable agricultural practices.”

A news release said this greenhouse will reduce imports, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from long-haul transportation and provide year-round Canadian-grown leafy greens. The new greenhouse will be able to grow two million kilograms a year.

The company markets under the Haven Greens brand.

                          

Syngenta adds biological research

 

Syngenta has added biologicals to the seeds testing it performs at its Honeywood Research center at Plattsville.

It is also changing the name from Canadian Seedcare Institute to Canadian Seedcare and Biologicals Institute.

The facility performs extensive testing on pesticides that are applied to seeds, including ones to ensure the seeds can flow freely through farm seeding equipment and that all seeds are adequately treated.

“By expanding the institute’s mandate to include biologicals, we are further investing in Canadian agricultural research to support our customers and contribute to a more productive, competitive and resilient sector,” said Syngenta Canada president Shaun Vey.

Syngenta is a global company.

Fire damages Greenfield storage

A lightning strike ignited a fire in storage tanks at the Greenfield Global ethanol-production plant in Chatham.

The company said it will not stop ethanol production and cleanup and containment operations are underway.

“A thorough investigation will be conducted to identify opportunities for continuous improvement once cleanup activities have been completed,” the company said..

There were no injuries.