Pork producers urged to consider domestic market Monday, September 21, 2009 by KATE PROCTERLocal was the focus at a meeting last week organized by the political action committee of the Perth County Pork Producers. Speakers told the group to use Ontario’s large population base to bring profit back to the red meat sector.Organizers suggested a united front of red meat and horticulture might generate more support from government, but the crowd of about 250 producers at the Sept. 17 meeting arrived at no clear consensus about pursing a partnership.Ken Strawbridge, president and CEO of Alpha Strategic Consulting Inc. based in Waterloo, is working with several beef producers to develop a sustainable business model for their industry. Why and what change is needed? “If you can answer those two questions, the rest is just work,” said Strawbridge.Production, consumers and finance are the three main components of business and they work against each other, he explained. Successful businesses learn how to manage those relationships.Strawbridge said all producers must pay more attention to the entire supply chain. When cheap corn drives expansion in the livestock industry, nobody is better off. “You’ve got to step up and say ‘this is wrong; this isn’t working for any of us.’”He observed through his study of the beef industry that local markets are more manageable for farmers. But producers face challenges: currently there are no means to co-ordinate stakeholders of the supply chain and there is no mechanism to manage change. Producers also have no way to manage investment or cash flow.On the consumer side, the local market is more manageable than the global market, he said, adding the consumer cannot always distinguish which characteristics are important “The notion that I’m going to build it and they will come is a fallacy,” said Strawbridge. Producers need to instill understanding in consumers that high-quality food produced in Ontario is something they want to pay for.Elbert van Donkersgoed, another speaker at the meeting, agreed that Ontarians want to eat locally grown food. Retailers are the main bottleneck between a diverse group of producers and a diverse group of consumers. “If we are going to get a better price, we need to build a bridge to the consumers,” he said.Strawbridge’s solution? “A paradigm shift. Completely changing our way of thinking.” It is all about the consumer. Build a system to manage consumers, producers and finance in order to achieve sustainability. BF Supply management unlikely for hog industry Ethanol hurts hog industry
Gearing up for Parliament’s return Friday, September 12, 2025 With Parliament scheduled to resume on Monday, Sept. 15, Farms.com spoke with Tyler McCann, managing director of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, about current issues affecting ag and how those could translate into the House of Commons. Overall, McCann expects the fall session to... Read this article online
Canadian Invasive Wild Pig Report 2023 Thursday, September 11, 2025 The 2023 Canadian Invasive Wild Pig Report was recently released by Animal Health Canada, providing a clear picture of how provinces and territories are tackling the spread of invasive wild pigs. This first-of-its-kind national collaboration shares location data, control activities, and... Read this article online
Princess Auto Plans New Guelph Store Thursday, September 11, 2025 Princess Auto is expanding its Ontario presence with a brand-new store planned for Guelph. Scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2026, this 30,000-square-foot location will bring a full selection of tools, equipment, and farm supplies closer to customers in southwestern Ontario. Built... Read this article online
CGC issues three licenses in early September Thursday, September 11, 2025 The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) has issued three licenses to grain companies in the first half of the month. On Sept. 1, Western Harvest Bean ULC in Morden, Man., received a grain dealer license. This type of license is for “a person who, for reward, on his own behalf or the behalf... Read this article online
York Region launching new Agri-Food Startup Program Thursday, September 11, 2025 A new program in York Region is designed to help entrepreneurs find their footing in the food space. The 14-week hybrid Agri-Food Start-up Program partners entrepreneurs with local organizations like the Foodpreneur Lab, Syzl, York Region Food Network, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island... Read this article online