January 2013- Natural culling or getting fleeced? Thursday, January 3, 2013 North American lamb prices have been falling, with reaction varying depending upon which side of the border a producer is on."Lamb producers take falling prices in stride," says an August headline in The Western Producer, based in Saskatchewan. "Correction considered long overdue," says the subhead. Apparently 2011's high prices were considered unsustainable.In the United States, it is a different story. Eight Congressmen asked Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to investigate the sheep procurement practices of meat packers (there are only two) and R-CALF USA, which bills itself as "fighting for the U.S. cattle producer" has joined in. (Looks like those range wars are a thing of the past). R-CALF complains that, in 2011, lamb and mutton imports increased by 390 per cent and the United States now imports more sheep meat than it produces. BF Banana republics cut an EU deal Behind the Lines - January 2013
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