Agri 007

Finland to build border fence

2026-11-13T18:26:35.372-05:00

Finland is going to build an electric fence to control the wild boar population.

The fence will not only keep the nuisance pigs out, but also make it easier to corral and kill pigs inside the fence.

It will be made of lightweight material and be 120 centimetres tall. The fence does not prevent the movement of people or animals other than wild boars. There will be an opening or gate at roads.

The top wire will have colorful marking tape.

The estimated construction cost of over one million euros ($157 million Cdn) is covered by the Finnish Food Authority.

The fence line is designed to avoid private land.

Some chickens growing too big

2026-11-13T18:23:03.311-05:00

Concerns are rising about chickens that are being grown too big and resulting in an increase of woody and spaghetti breast syndrome, according to poultry industry analysts in the United States.

IConcerns have been raised by Espana and McDonalds Restaurants.

Espana is a world-wide market intelligence company.

Stephens Inc. analysts reiterated a “mixed tone” in chicken, with record production being absorbed by strong demand but buyers less willing to pay higher prices.

Egg sets, the analysts noted, remain elevated compared with last year but have moderated in recent weeks, while live weights have declined more recently.

Franchisees, according to Stephens, cited tougher meat and suggested sourcing smaller birds, potentially creating challenges for major supplier Tyson Foods due to its focus on its new genetics line.

Ontario cheeses win at the Royal

2026-11-13T10:25:24.903-05:00

Glengarry Fine Cheese won grand champion cheddar at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

Stonetown Artisan Cheese won grand champion variety cheese for its Wildwood brand.

Fromagerie Nouvelle France of Quebec won grand champion in the category that includes goat, cheep, water buffalo and mixed variety cheese.

Mountainoak Cheese of New Hamburg won a number of firsts.

National Beef won’t buy Canadian cattle

2026-11-11T17:12:53.165-05:00

National Beef, the fourth-largest beef packer, has adopted Product of U.S.A. labeling.

It joins 30 others who have adopted the voluntary label since it became available. Most of them are small regional packers.

Canada successfully challenged two previous attempts to make country-of-origin labeling mandatory. That would have required packers to either stop buying cattle and/or beef from other countries or to maintain two separate supply and processing chains.

The voluntary standard for meat and poultry became available in March, 2024.

“Since National Beef’s start in 1992, our facilities have been processing beef in the United States and our three beef packing facilities purchase all of their cattle needs from U.S. feedyards,” said Tim Klein , the company’s chief executive officer.

“Consumers increasingly ask for products made in the USA. With this label on our products, customers will know the beef comes from cattle that were born, raised and processed entirely within the United States.”

Meat Council outlines its plans

2026-11-11T09:15:54.539-05:00

The Canadian Meat Council has a three-year plan to strengthen the red meat processing industry through regulatory advocacy, trade competitiveness and improved crisis preparedness.

The plan sets three primary objectives: strengthening the council’s membership and engagement, expanding industry advocacy and preparing processors for regulatory changes, market disruptions and potential crises.

it also plans to develop a three-year policy agenda addressing trade, labor, food security and climate issues.

It also wants improved regulatory consistency across federally inspected establishments and greater efficiency and modernization within the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

The council planned to establish an industry crisis coordination task force focused initially on African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease and other events that could threaten the industry’s reputation.

The initiative would include crisis communication protocols and annual preparedness exercises.

The council said its industry generates approximately $35 billion in annual economic output and supports more than 250,000 jobs.

Minor hike to farm registration fee

2026-11-10T10:03:19.697-05:00

There could be a minor increase in the farm registration fee the Ontario agriculture department charges if farmers want access to its subsidies and services.

The proposal is to increase the administration fee the beneficiary farm organizations can charge by $2.30 plus HST per registration. The new fee would be $22.60.

However, the increase to the fee would only impact the farm organizations which review and provide input on the program delivery budget before it is finalized, the ministry said on the province’s regulations registry.

While farmers pay the fee to AgriCorp, the money goes to support the general farm organization the farmer chooses.

The current fee totals $288.15.

A farm plan for biosecurity

2026-11-10T09:52:06.306-05:00

Canadian pork producers have a new plan available to help them with

The Canadian Pork Council was involved on a team that included the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, provincial pork organizations, swine veterinarians and researchers, to come up with a biosecurity guideline and benchmark.

Ravneet Kaur, director of national animal health and policy with the Canadian Pork Council, outlined the initiative during Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium 2026 in Saskatoon.

She said African swine fever has been a major focus of the industry’s preparedness efforts over the past eight years. but work is also expanding to include foot-and-mouth disease and highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Kaur identified four central areas of work: biosecurity and prevention, planning and preparedness, business continuity, and communications.

“The common thread between all of this is the coordination that we do as an industry, with governments, with other partners,” she told Farmscape.

The voluntary resource gives producers a framework for reviewing biosecurity alongside their veterinarians and industry organizations.

Drone Spray Canada wins award

2026-11-07T13:32:39.990-05:00

Drone Spray Canada won two of the excellence awards which were presented during the Royal Agriculture Winter Fair in Toronto.

The company won the minister’s award and research and innovation award.

The company is based in Blenheim.

Other winners are:

Agribusiness Excellence: Western Fair Association (The Grove) – County of Middlesex

Education Excellence: Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association – City of Ottawa

Urban Agriculture Excellence: Cambridge Food Bank – Regional Municipality of Waterloo

Northern Business Excellence: Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance – Temiskaming District

Women’s Farming Excellence: Janet Harrop – County of Wellington

Farm Family Excellence: Hy-Hope Farm – Regional Municipality of Durham

2026 Honourable Mentions:

Research and Innovation Excellence: Agriculture Environmental Renewal Canada (AERC) Inc. – City of Ottawa

SK8 Biotechnologies Inc. – Regional Municipality of York

Agribusiness Excellence: Elite Agri Solutions Inc. – County of Middlesex

WOWBUTTER Foods – County of Perth

Education Excellence: Sandi Brock – County of Perth

Women’s Farming Excellence: l’Union Culturelle des Franco-Ontariennes (UCFO) – United Counties of Prescott and Russell

The government also announced $2.3 million in three years of support for 4-H Canada.

Warner Transport loses appeal of fine

2026-11-06T12:12:25.364-05:00

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

2026-11-06T10:02:06.750-05:00

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

2026-11-06T09:47:31.987-05:00

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

2026-11-06T09:35:22.841-05:00

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

2026-11-06T09:21:45.927-05:00

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

2026-11-06T09:08:42.841-05:00

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

2026-11-05T12:52:32.244-05:00

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.”

Maple Leaf sales up, profits down

2026-11-04T22:14:24.155-05:00

Maple Leaf Foods reported third-quarter sales were $1,034,703,000, up from $1,010,574,000 for the same quarter last year.

Net earnings were $22,327,000, down from $43,656,000 last year.

Maple Leaf to hike prices

2026-11-04T22:00:58.672-05:00

Maple Leaf Foods plans to increase prices early next year in response to a “challenging external environment,” chief executive Curtis Frank said in the company’s third-quarter earnings call.

The company said it had not yet announced the details of the price hike to its customers, which include all major grocery retailers across Canada. Maple Leaf products are found in 92 per cent of households across the country.

Maple Leaf is paying eight per cent more for live poultry compared with the same period last year, Frank said, adding that chicken products account for 40 per cent of the company’s overall sales.

Fuel surcharges have also increased by 17 per cent in the last quarter, alongside “near everything else,” including labour, packaging and ingredients.

“When you lump all those together, there’s just more overhanging general inflation than we would have expected at this point in the year,” Frank said. “We’re going to have to address that early in the year next year.”

China extends tariff relief for peas, canola meal

2026-11-04T21:54:50.623-05:00

China has extended significant tariff reductions on Canadian peas, canola meal, lobster and crabs, peas and canola meal for another two years after a meeting in Beijing between Chinese officials and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu.

The tariff reductions, set to expire on Dec. 31, have been extended to the end of 2028, Sidhu said in a statement from Beijing.

The suspended tariffs include 100-per-cent levies on peas and canola meal and 25-per-cent on lobster and crab. Shipments of these products for the first eight months of the year reached $1-billion, according to Sidhu’s office.

“This extension gives farmers, producers and harvesters predictable access to the Chinese market, and it’s how we will grow our exports to China by 50 per cent by 2030 to create good-paying jobs and new opportunities for businesses across Canada,” Sidhu said.

Meat industry weeps over U.S. voting

2026-11-04T11:02:42.729-05:00

Livestock farmers and meat packers are disappointed that four senators who are pushing a bill to over-ride California’s livestock housing regulations lost in the mid-term elections.

Those who lost are Ashley Hinson of Iowa. Gabe Evans in Colorado, Derrick Van Orden in Wisconsin and Rob Bresnahan in Pennsylvania.

They are pushing the “Save Our Bacon” bill that would have the federal government setting animal welfare standards for livestock housing and those national standards would over-ride California and other state regulations.

The California standard for housing, such as a ban on confining gestating sows in crates, impacts Canadians who market hogs and pork to the United States where it is costly for packers selling to multi-state customers to segregate pork into lots that do or do not comply with California’s standards.

Maison Si Bon Inc. loses licence

2026-11-04T10:48:52.857-05:00

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has suspended the licence held by Maison Si Bon Inc. of Montreal.

It said the company failed in the development and implementation of a preventive control plan, sanitation and cleaning procedures and procedure to prevent the risk of food contamination.

Farmers optimism inches up

2026-11-03T09:59:06.208-05:00

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

2026-11-03T09:30:59.498-05:00

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

2026-11-03T09:15:42.578-05:00

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.

2026-11-02T09:44:00.591-05:00

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

2026-11-02T09:37:39.473-05:00

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.