South Dakota loves mini-cheeses Monday, April 2, 2012 South Dakota could soon be known as a dairy powerhouse thanks to a popular snacking cheese. In February, Bel Brands USA announced it would build a US$100 million cheese plant near Brookings, described on a state website as having an ideal climate location for milking cows. The plant will be operating by the end of 2013. Just the first phase will produce about 22 million pounds of cheese annually. The company's signature product is Mini Baby Bel snacking cheeses. It represents close to one third of Bel Brands' U.S. sales with consistent 25 per cent plus growth per year. State officials were recruiting farmers from outside the Dakotas at the World Ag Expo in California. Bel Brands, based in Elk Grove Village, Ill., is the American subsidiary of Fromageries Bel, based in Paris, France, with sales of nearly US$3.2 billion in 2010. BF Planting Season: Advice from the front lines on eliminating those costly and time-consuming bottlenecks Transportation system in jeopardy
Why farmers built their own renewable energy association Friday, February 20, 2026 When renewable energy developers come knocking on rural doors, farmers often find themselves staring at 40-page leases, unfamiliar terminology, and long-term commitments that could shape their land for decades. For many, the opportunity is exciting and enticing—but also... Read this article online
Looking for a heritage machine Friday, February 20, 2026 A Brantford, Ontario area heritage organization—the Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre (CIHC)—is putting out a call to the Canadian agricultural community in hopes of locating a rare piece of machinery that helped transform grain harvesting around the world. The CIHC is preparing... Read this article online
Ontario beef farms honoured for pasture innovation and environmental stewardship Friday, February 20, 2026 Two Ontario beef operations earn top 2026 awards for pasture and environmental excellence. At the Beef Farmers of Ontario’s (BFO) 64th annual general meeting banquet in Toronto on February 18, 2026, two standout Ontario beef operations were recognized for their commitment to... Read this article online
New Leadership Team Named at OFVGA Friday, February 20, 2026 The Ontario Fruit & VegetableGrowersAssociation has announced a new leadership team following recent elections. Mike Chromczak has been selected as chair, and MatthiasOppenlaenderhas beenelectedvice chair. Chromczak brings more than a decade of industry involvement to the position.... Read this article online
Food Freedom Day 2026 - What Canada’s Grocery Costs Really Tell Us Thursday, February 19, 2026 The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) has announced that Sunday, February 8th, 2026, markedFood Freedom Day—the date by which the average Canadian household has earned enough income to cover its entire annual grocery bill. Each year, CFA analyzes how much of Canadians’... Read this article online