'Cold trains' match trucks for delivery speed Wednesday, June 1, 2011 Five days a week, a refrigerated train leaves the Port of Quincy in Washington State and carries a load of fresh and frozen produce to Chicago non-stop. The state-of-the-art, 53-foot refrigerated containers are double stacked. Temperatures in the cars are remotely controlled. The four day trip, which compares with a typical train trip of as long as two weeks, is on a par with truck traffic. It is called the Cold Train. A press release issued by operator CTI Freight Systems, a spinoff of the parent company Rail Logistics of Overland Park, Kan., doesn't say that the Cold Train is cheaper than trucks. However, it does say that diesel requirements are lower and the "carbon footprint" is reduced by 50 per cent. From Chicago, Midwestern products are moved west to Washington for local distribution. There are plans to provide service from Washington to markets in Atlanta, Florida, the northeast and even to California, which is next door. BF The most important plant breeding achievement ever A Chinese food 'nightmare' in the making?
Canada Packers Posts Strong Volume Growth and Profitability in First Year as Standalone Company Tuesday, March 17, 2026 Canada Packers Inc., recently split off from Maple Leaf Foods, reported its financial results earlier this month for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2025, highlighting increased hog volumes, steady sales growth and disciplined financial execution. In the fourth quarter of 2025,... Read this article online
Senators examine Canada’s food system firsthand during southwestern Ontario fact finding mission Monday, March 16, 2026 A delegation of Canadian senators conducted a full day fact finding mission on Friday, March 6, 2026, visiting several major food system organizations and research facilities across Southwestern Ontario. The tour supported the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry’s ongoing... Read this article online
Canada’s Real Seasons (According to Farmers Who Actually Live Here) Monday, March 16, 2026 According to a chart that’s been making the rounds on social media, courtesy of The Weather Network—the Canadian calendar has officially been updated. Apparently, we no longer live by the simple rhythm of winter, spring, summer, and fall. Instead, we now rotate through such crowd... Read this article online
Ontario Equine Industry Drives Rural Economy Monday, March 16, 2026 A new economic study has revealed the major contribution of Ontario’s equine agricultural sector to the province’s economy and rural communities. The Ontario Equine Agricultural Economic Impact Study Report provides the first comprehensive evaluation of the industry since 2010 and offers... Read this article online
Julia Montgomery Named OVC Dean Monday, March 16, 2026 The University of Guelph has announced the appointment of Dr. Julia Montgomery as the new dean of the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC).She will begin her five-year leadership term on June 15, 2026.The appointment marks an important step for one of Canada’s most respected veterinary... Read this article online