Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Ontario chicken farmers rethink growing cycles

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

by SUSAN MANN

Ontario chicken farmers will have a chance to produce chicken in a seven-week growing cycle starting next year, while farmers using the 12-week cycle will have to switch to another cycle as that option is being discontinued.

Chicken Farmers of Ontario introduced the seven-week growing cycle after learning through consultations with farmers, processors, hatcheries and other stakeholders “there was an increased demand for a shorter (production) cycle,” says Michael Edmonds, communications and government relations director.

Farmers can start producing for the seven-week cycle starting Feb. 19, 2017, the first quota period of the new year, according to a Chicken Farmers’ June 13 press release. The other cycles are eight, nine or ten weeks.

Edmonds says Chicken Farmers doesn’t know how many farmers will use the seven-week cycle once it’s available.

Farmers make decisions on what growing cycle to use based on several factors, including the size of birds needed by the processor they have a contract with and how they’re going to “optimize their barn,” Edmonds says.

The idea behind giving farmers choices in the cycles is to give them and processors flexibility and “to make sure they’re optimizing the production cycle for both the industry and for their own needs,” he notes.

As for the 12-week cycle that’s being discontinued as of Feb. 19, 2017, Edmonds says less than five per cent of Ontario’s 1,155 commercial chicken farmers currently use that option.

The board is continuing to study how to simplify the system so it may reduce the number of cycles, currently at four, at a later date. BF
 

Current Issue

June/July 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Ontario Promotes Local Food to Boost Economy and Jobs

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Ontario is celebrating Local Food Week from June 2–8, 2025, honoring the people behind the province’s strong and self-sufficient food supply. From farmers and food processors to retailers and restauranteurs, these individuals contribute to the economy and food security. The agriculture... Read this article online

Scientists at Guelph Target Avian Threat

Thursday, June 5, 2025

The University of Guelph (U of G) is activeey engaged against the spread of avian flu. Experts from a variety of departments, including virology, engineering, veterinary medicine, and computer science, are working together to stop this growing threat. “This is not just a crisis for the... Read this article online

Trouw Nutrition launches IntelEgg

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Trouw Nutrition has announced the launch of , a digital platform designed to empower layer producers with real-time insights and data-driven decision-making tools. The image above shows an demo screen. This browser-based application is set to transform how poultry farmers monitor,... Read this article online

New Precision Ag Digital Digest Coming Soon

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

The Summer 2025 Farms.com Precision Ag Digital Digest will be released on June 11. Summer is upon us! Tillage and seeding are mostly completed (…hopefully), so we are shifting focus to irrigation, baling, spraying, guidance, and harvest (among other topics and technologies). In... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top