Group housing a norm for Ontario's veal calves says industry spokesperson Tuesday, May 15, 2012 by SUSAN MANNOntario’s veal industry supports the work of American veal farmers to switch their animal housing to group pens by 2017.But unlike the American industry, which is mainly milk-fed veal, the industry in Ontario is predominately grain-fed veal and the animals here are already in group housing, notes Jennifer Haley, executive director of the Ontario Veal Association. The one company that raises milk-fed veal in Ontario has made “huge steps to group housing efforts already voluntarily.”In the United States, the American Veal Association voted unanimously in favour of a resolution in 2007 calling for all veal farmers in that country to change their operations to group housing. A recent survey reveals that 70 per cent of veal calves raised by association members will be housed in group pens by the end of this year, it says in an association press release.The American association estimates that U.S. veal farmers will spend $250 million over 10 years on new technology to retrofit or build new barns to accommodate group-housing methods. Veal farms in the U.S. are typically small family farms with 200 to 250 animals. They are generally located in states with significant dairy production where farmers raise the male Holstein calves born on dairy farms and utilize the milk by-products from those farms.Haley says this is an important issue “in terms of consumer perceptions and understanding in how we raise our animals.” The Ontario industry applauds American veal farmers for voluntarily changing to group housing at their own expense. “It’s fantastic.” BF Canadian tractor sales are booming Establishing councils for animal welfare and environment a priority for new organization
How will Carney work with Farmers? Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Prime Minister Carney has a mandate to lead the country, but the country is quite divided, and much of the agriculture industry feels alienated. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre have both pledged cooperation on key issues like U.S. tariffs. As the new... Read this article online
Sheep farmers win Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Sheep farmers and wool producers from Wallenstein, Ont. are Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2025. “It’s great to be recognized by your peers in the industry with an award like that,” Ryan Schill told Farms.com. “When we started the sheep farm, there were people questioning us... Read this article online
2025 Election Results Prompt Concern and Reflection Among Prairie Farmers Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Users on Agriville.com weigh-in on the 2025 federal election outcome As news broke on April 28 that Mark Carney’s Liberals had won the 2025 federal election, many western Canadian farmers on Agriville.com shared their reactions. The mood was largely one of disappointment, with... Read this article online
Support IPM With a Bench Sponsorship Tuesday, April 29, 2025 The International Plowing Match & Rural Expo (IPM) Local Committee has launched the Bench Sponsorship Project for the upcoming 2025 event in West Niagara. This initiative invites individuals and businesses to sponsor commemorative benches for $500 each, helping enhance the visitor... Read this article online
New board members for Ontario Pork Friday, April 25, 2025 Ontario Pork, an association representing the 1,898 pork farms that market 5.9 million hogs in the province, has announced its new board lineup for 2025. As a Guelph, Ontario-headquartered organization, Ontario Pork is engaged in the areas of research, government representation,... Read this article online