Succession plan wins international award

 

A farm succession planning guide developed by Wellington County has won the award of excellence in innovation from the International Economic Development Council.

Justine Daynard, leader of the project, said the idea came from looking at Statistics Canada data about the age profile of farmers in Wellington County and the province.

Many have not developed a comprehensive plan for what usually is a very personal, emotional, complex and detailed challenge.

It goes far beyond considering whether a family member will inherit the farm or if it will be sold to someone who respects the land and community.

Finances are important, including taxes.

Today’s farming operations are larger than a generation ago, the finances are more complicated and a lot of people and businesses can be involved. For example, there could be written or hand-shake agreements for land rental, hired workers, equipment rentals or custom-operator contracts and sales commitments.

The process typically takes three to five years, Daynard said.

Wellington County farmers immediately responded when workshops were first offered two years ago. Two workshops were fully subscribed and all 250 copies originally printed were snapped up. More than 1,000 visitors have checked out the on-line website.

Daynard and her team have now developed a “white label” plan that other municipalities can adapt to their unique situations.

People from other nations have also expressed an interest in using the plan for their farmers.

Hackbert to head fruit and veggie growers

Stephen Heckbert is leaving the Canadian Pork Council to be executive director of Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada.

He takes over as growers try to navigate through the tariff war launched by United States President Donald Trump and tariff responses from Canada.

It is also a time when the provinces have promised to reduce inter-provincial trade barriers.

Calgary company has licence suspended

 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has suspended the licence of Fresh Bites Inc. of Calgary, Alta.

The company’s products were found to be contaminated with food-poisoning Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

The CFIA investigation discovered improper sanitation procedures, unsatisfactory equipment maintenance, improper employee traffic flow and deficiencies in the company’s preventive controls.

The company is out of business until it can satisfy the CFIA that it is in compliance with Safe Food for Canadians regulations.

Trump to allow on-farm butchering

 

United States President Donald Trump is planning to allow farmers to slaughter livestock and poultry on their farms, probably with no health, sanitation and food safety inspection.

Here’s what he posted on Truth Social: 

“Ranchers and Farmers have always been a number one priority for me. 

They work very hard, are smart, efficient, and immaculately CLEAN, but for years I have heard that they have had a tremendous problem with the Big Processors, who many say are a nasty Monopoly. 

“There are, essentially, 4 of them, a very non competitive number, and they make life miserable for our wonderful Farmers and Ranchers, and I can't let that happen, can I? 

“So, in order to break this powerful monopoly, with much of its ownership based outside of the U.S., I am authorizing legal documents to be drawn in order to allow Farmers and Ranchers to be given the right to PROCESS THEIR OWN FOOD. This should

move quickly. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter!

President DONALD J. TRUMP"

Leslie, Leach lose appeal

 

Chantelle Leslie and Erik Leach have lost their appeal to regain a licence from the Dairy Farmers of Ontario milk marketing board.

Evidence from the hearing conducted by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Agribusiness Appeal Tribunal detailed a long history of compliance issues, including milk quality and milk marketing.

It is not the first time they have filed an appeal with the tribunal.

The tribunal wrote in these excepts from its decision that “both Erik and Chantelle have been suffering from stress and anxiety resulting in major depression at various levels from the time that they took over Erik’s parents’ dairy operation in 2014.

“The causes appear to be family friction in negotiating the purchase of the family farm, financial difficulties and various issues with DFO.

 

 “The use of shared facilities might have saved the Appellants from the final shut-off. Shared facilities may have given the Appellants the breathing space necessary to deal with their SCC and AFP issues and their mental health.

“The Tribunal appreciates that all farming endeavours are stressful, maybe dairy farming more than others. Dairy farmers are required to comply with strict quality standards developed by the provincial government, the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission and the DFO Board to ensure that processors and consumers have a safe supply of milk and milk products.

 “For the reasons that the Tribunal has given, it finds that it cannot grant the Appellants’ request to reinstate their licence.”