Pig genetics company partners with Russians Friday, June 3, 2011 by BETTER FARMING STAFFA Canadian pig genetics company with offices in Ontario and Manitoba is finding new opportunities in Russia.Genesus Inc. is partnering with Kubangsky Bacon, a Russian company, to market swine genetics within Russia. Once in full swing, the venture is expected to produce 40,000 sows per year.“Today it’s costing $500 to fly a pig from Canada to Russia,” says Jim Long, president and CEO of Genesus, explaining one of the motivations for the venture. Long says his company helped develop a brand new facility in Russia’s Kuban district about 1,100 miles south of Moscow between the Black and Caspian seas. The site will eventually include a 1,200-sow nucleus and two 2,600-sow multiplier units. Genesus will operate the farm, run the genetic program and market the genetics within Russia.Negotiations are underway to have an Ontario company supply feed. Long declined to name the company. “I think it would be premature,” he says.On Wednesday, federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz renewed Canada’s commitment to continue working with Russia to increase bilateral trade. A news release quoted Ritz as saying, “Russia is a growing market and partner for Canada’s agriculture sector, especially for the livestock industry.” The federal news release said the Genesus deal is worth more than $5 million and that Russia’s average imports of livestock and genetics from Canada are worth $26 million “in a potential market of $235 million.”No Canadian government funds are involved in the Genesus venture, Long says, but adds the Russian government contributed a low-interest loan. He says his company is investing about $500,000 a year for 10 years in the venture.Russia imports 40 per cent of its pork, Long says, but the country’s goal is to produce more of its own meat. Half of what is produced domestically is “still produced in backyards.” The price of a slaughter pig is “a little over $300 a pig,” he says. “It’s probably the best place in the world today to invest in swine.” BF Staged planting adds up to multiple corn crops Researchers explore green roof plant options
How Busch turned bales into advertising dollars for farmers Wednesday, July 29, 2026 Busch is taking a different approach to advertising in rural Canada by moving marketing dollars from city billboards directly into farmers’ fields. The brand’s new “Baleboard” campaign transforms hay bales into oversized six-pack displays inspired by Busch’s limited-edition Farmer’s Pack.... Read this article online
Great Ontario Yield Tour Seeks Volunteer Farm Fields as Final Crop Tour Events Approach Tuesday, July 28, 2026 Ontario farmers have an opportunity to help shape one of the province's most closely watched crop assessments as the Farms.com Great Ontario Yield Tour prepares for another season of field scouting and yield forecasting. The annual tour is currently seeking volunteer farmers who are... Read this article online
Canada Opens Interprovincial Alcohol Sales Monday, July 27, 2026 A major change to Canada's internal marketplace is set to create new opportunities for wineries, breweries and distilleries after nine provinces signed a landmark agreement allowing direct-to-consumer sales of alcoholic beverages across participating jurisdictions. The deal is being hailed... Read this article online
Ontario Spinach is a Relatively Small Crop for the Province Monday, July 27, 2026 Canadians are eating more fresh leafy greens than ever, and spinach continues to be one of the most popular choices in salads,smoothiesand prepared foods– but it islikely notCanadian. Spinach production is highly concentrated in a small number of growing regions across North America.... Read this article online
Ontario Grows Most of the Nation's Celery Friday, July 24, 2026 When Canadians reach for a stalk of celery at the grocery store, there is a good chance it began its journey on an Ontario farm. While celery occupies only a small share of Canada's overall vegetable acreage, the crop continues to play an important role in the country's fresh... Read this article online