Imported raw milk cheese doesn’t have to meet CFIA standards and only three percent of imports are tested
GUELPH, Ont. — Regulatory differences could put Canadian cheese makers at an unfair disadvantage if the proposed Canada-Europe Union trade agreement moves forward. “I’m afraid that half of our 100 cheese factories in Quebec will disappear,” said Marie-Chantal Houde of Fromagerie Novelle France. “This is a big issue for consumer health and the economic health […] Read moreStories by Jeffrey Carter
Raw milk: weighing risks and benefits
Pasteurization kills bacteria | Raw milk supporters claim pasteurization reduces nutrition
GUELPH, Ont. — Much is known about the risk of consuming raw milk and raw milk products, but far less is known about their health benefits. Both were discussed at the Science to Policy: Raw Milk Case Study symposium held in Guelph April 22. “We need to establish some sort of legislative framework around it […] Read moreFederal government ponders raw milk sales
Underground market continues | Ottawa urged to develop policy to protect consumers
GUELPH, Ont. — The door may be opening to lawful raw milk sales in Canada, according to a senior official with Health Canada. “We see possible venues in the future of producing a safe product,” said Jeff Farber, director of the bureau of microbial hazards. It could involve a regulatory approach at the provincial and/or […] Read moreNew Zealand trial hopes to determine raw milk benefits
A New Zealand study could shed new light on the benefits of drinking unpasteurized milk. Jeroen Douwes with the Centre for Food Safety at Massey University said there is plenty of anecdotal evidence and a small number of peer-reviewed studies suggesting raw milk provides protection against allergies and asthma. What’s missing is causal evidence. “If […] Read more
Dairy group fails to show for raw milk discussion
GUELPH, Ont. —Dairy Farmers of Ontario was a no show at a raw milk symposium held in Guelph April 21. Two members of the organizing committee, Art Hill and Mansel Griffiths of the University of Guelph’s food science department, had the same response to the absence. “They had their reasons.” Ontario dairy farmer Michael Schmidt […] Read more
Plant breeders support Ontario soybean exports
RIDGETOWN, Ont. — Ontario farmers can thank the province’s plant breeders when they set out to harvest what could prove to be a billion-dollar soybean crop later this year. “Plant breeding is critical for numerous reasons,” said Joe Hickson, a director with Grain Farmers of Ontario. “We have to have the genetics for our climate […] Read more
Better biomass burner inventor’s latest idea
Efficient combustion units | The natural gas unit produces three million BTUs — enough to heat 50 homes
LONDON, Ont. — A two-stage patented process is behind the better biomass burn at Triple Green Energy, according to Manitoba inventor Raymond Dueck. An initial combustion temperature of close to 500 C occurs in an enclosed area during the drying, pyrolysing and oxidizing stage. Ash is collected and automatically removed by an auger. A secondary […] Read more
Research looks to put invasive weed to work
Possible feedstock The wetland reed could be eradicated by harvesting it for methane production
RIDGETOWN, Ont. – Researchers at the University of Guelph’s Ridge-town Campus hope to put an invasive weed to good use. Environmental engineer Brandon Gilroyed and masters’ candidate Kurtis Baute are working with phragmites australis, a wetland reed species native to parts of Europe and Asia. It is now found throughout the Great Lakes region, often […] Read more
Ontario demand drives dairy goat expansion
Top North American producer | Goat milk is not under supply management so herd expansion is not restricted
SARNIA, Ont. — Ontario is a hotbed for North America’s dairy goat industry, and it is getting bigger. “We’ve taken on another 15 members over the past year,” said Coby Tenvoorde, general manager of the Ontario Dairy Goat Co-operative. “Demand is growing so fast it’s been hard to keep up.” The co-op, which has 110 […] Read moreTwo supply management systems more efficient than one: economist
DRESDEN, Ont. — There is middle ground in the supply management debate worth exploring, according to an economist from the University of Guelph. Sylvain Charlebois says it would be a mistake to abolish supply management for Canada’s dairy industry. However, the status quo fails to take advantage of export opportunities. “Basically, what we need is […] Read more
