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
Canada Trade Tribunal Submits Report on Vegetable Imports and Potential Industry Injury Monday, September 14, 2026 The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) has submitted its report on imports of certain vegetable goods to the Governor in Council following a six-month safeguard inquiry into potential injury to Canadian producers. The Tribunal announced Sept. 9 that the report contains its... Read this article online
FCC Launches $1 Billion Agri-food Project Finance Fund for Canadian Food Processing Growth Monday, September 14, 2026 Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has opened a 60-day Expression of Interest (EOI) process for a new $1 billion Agri-food Project Finance initiative, marking one of the largest targeted investments in Canadian food processing infrastructure in recent years. The financing program is intended to... Read this article online
Organic Farming in Canada Enters the Mainstream as Market Nears $12 Billion Monday, September 14, 2026 September is recognized as Organic Month across Canada, offering an opportunity to feature a sector that has transformed from a niche market into a significant component of Canadian agriculture. For many years, organic farming was often viewed as a specialized production system... Read this article online
Canadian Staccato® Cherry Patent Dispute Ends in Major Settlement Monday, September 14, 2026 Canada's tree fruit breeding program has secured a significant legal victory in a long-running intellectual property dispute involving the popular Staccato® cherry variety. Summerland Varieties Corp. (SVC) announced that it and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) have reached a... Read this article online
Migrant workers recognized for contributions to Ontario agriculture Monday, September 14, 2026 The agricultural industry took centre stage in Leamington on September 13, 2026, as the Festival of Guest Nations celebrated the contributions migrant workers make to farms, greenhouses, and food production across Essex County and Ontario. Held at Seacliff Park, the event brought together... Read this article online