Etobicoke meat processor expands facility Thursday, July 14, 2011 by SUSAN MANNAn Ontario meat processor is one of three companies getting a portion of more than $8 million in funding announced Thursday as part of the federal government’s Slaughter Improvement program.St. Ann’s Foods Inc. of Etobicoke received almost $3 million to expand its facility to include value-added production lines for steak cuts, meatballs, burgers and meat loaves.The other two companies getting funding were Montpak International of Laval, Quebec, which received more than $3 million and Les Viandes du Breton of Rivere-du-Loup, Quebec, receiving $2 million.The money comes from the $60 million Slaughter Improvement program, part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The slaughter program provides federal repayable contributions to companies with sound business plans, it says in an Agriculture Canada press release. The program is aimed at reducing costs, increasing revenues and improving the operations of Canadian meat packers and processors.“By successfully improving their operations these meat facilities will make an important contribution to increase the profitability of our livestock sector,” federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says in a press release. Representatives from St. Ann’s couldn’t be reached for comment.The program is designed to strengthen the red meat industry’s competitiveness by providing interest-free, conditionally repayable funding for companies to improve and modernize their slaughter operations and enhance slaughter capacity in regions with a demonstrated regional gap that is constraining sector growth, it says on Agriculture Canada’s website.Companies are able to get up to 50 per cent of their eligible costs and the money must be repaid in 10 years or less. The program isn’t accepting applications at this time, it says on Agriculture Canada’s website. BF Egg grader shut down Canada-wide milk pooling under discussion
Ontario farmers get boost for energy upgrades Friday, July 11, 2025 The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $3 million in the third round of the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI). This funding will help farmers improve the energy efficiency of their operations and support the long-term sustainability of the agriculture... Read this article online
Swede midge and cabbageworm found in Ontario canola Thursday, July 10, 2025 As reported on the OMAFA website fieldcropnews.com, Ontario canola crops are at various growth stages, ranging from seedling to full bloom depending on planting time and region. Winter canola is now fully podded, and harvest is expected to begin soon in Essex and other southern... Read this article online
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Friday, July 4, 2025 The was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded $60,000 to further his... Read this article online
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Friday, July 4, 2025 The Grape Growers of Ontario’s marks the opening of the by showcasing Canadian personalities and celebrating the annual grape harvest. This year, in partnership with Meridian Credit Union, Ontario’s largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, the Grape Growers of Ontario... Read this article online
Ontario crops respond to summer heat Wednesday, July 2, 2025 According to the OMAFA Field Crop News team, Ontario field crops are showing rapid development as summer-like temperatures have dominated late June early July. The warm spell has accelerated growth and helped reduce the heat unit deficit from a cool spring. Corn fields have seen a burst... Read this article online