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
Hensall Co Op Strengthens Rural Futures Tuesday, September 29, 2026 Supporting local communities has long been an important part of Hensall Co-op's mission. Through its Strong Communities Initiative, the agricultural cooperative has contributed more than $180,000 to nonprofit organizations over the past six years. The program focuses on helping groups... Read this article online
Green Care Farms celebrates five years of dementia care Monday, September 28, 2026 What a wonderful event! As communities recognize World Alzheimer's Day 2026, Green Care Farms marked a major milestone: five seasons operating Canada's first care farm designed specifically for people living with dementia. The celebration took place on September 19, 2026, at Andrews... Read this article online
Harvest Weather Alert: Midwest Rain Risks Rise as Super El Nino Strengthens Monday, September 28, 2026 As summer gives way to autumn, farmers across the U.S. Midwest and parts of Canada are watching a weather pattern that appears poised to become increasingly active during the heart of harvest season. According to Nutrien Ag Solutions meteorologist Eric Snodgrass, recent atmospheric... Read this article online
International Plowing Match Wraps Up with Champions, Parades and Rural Pride Monday, September 28, 2026 The 107th International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) concluded Saturday, September 26, after a week that celebrated Ontario agriculture through competition, community spirit and a series of crowd-pleasing parades. Held in Bruce County from September 22 to 26, the event attracted... Read this article online
Canada’s Investment Boom Must Reach Beyond Big Cities, Says Rural Prosperity Group Monday, September 28, 2026 Canada’s first-ever Investment Summit generated headlines for the sheer size of the commitments announced. Federal officials said the event attracted investment commitments approaching $500 billion, with projects spanning critical minerals, artificial intelligence, energy,... Read this article online