Food manufacturer profits in Canada increased 13 percent last year, says the George Morris Centre, despite the recession that dragged down profits in the general manufacturing sector. Part of the reason is that food manufacturers paid 16 percent less for raw commodities than they did the previous year. Senior market analyst Kevin Grier said the […] Read more
News
Food makers’ profits defied recession last year
Feds bet on existing programs
As the potential impact of the H1N1 flu epidemic started to emerge last spring, Agriculture Canada analysts recognized that it would batter an already hard-hit hog industry. They also recognized that payouts to hog producers from existing programs based on historic margins were decreasing sharply. Yet they insisted the programs would rise to the occasion. […] Read more
Flax trades like a special crop
Quietly and awkwardly, flax has walked away from bulk commodity markets, something that would have surprised an earlier generation of farmers. “You’ll notice that flax has now become a special crop (in our analysis reports) and that’s because of popular demand from our subscribers,” Informa Economics’ Chuck Penner said at a recent presentation. It’s not […] Read more
Bull checkers sidelined at show
LLOYDMINSTER – After more than 20 years on the job checking the legs and feet of bulls at the Pride of the Prairies Lloydminster Bull Show and Sale, George Larre and Doug Eaton found themselves laid up together, unable to lend a hand at his year’s event. Foot and leg injuries kept the two men […] Read more
CFIA food inspector shortage forces dependence on overtime
Late last year, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency ordered more inspector presence at plants shipping product to the United States after American warnings that staff levels did not meet U.S. standards. But lack of approved budget to hire more staff meant the added inspections were being done on overtime. In a Nov. 5, 2009, memo […] Read more
Wheat supply burden expected to continue for another year
World wheat production in 2010 is forecast to fall, but with a large carryover from the previous year, supply will likely continue to be a burden. The high prices of early 2008 sparked a huge production increase, generating a record crop that outstripped demand, adding almost 43 million tonnes to year-end stocks. In 2009, the […] Read more
Canadian produce now inspected before entering U.S.
VICTORIA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s interim rule requiring inspection of Canadian-grown fruits and vegetables being imported into the U.S. became a final rule on March 9. In 1991, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) exempted Canada from user fees for inspections of commercial transport and international air passengers, believing there […] Read more
Farmers compensated for stock kills
Saskatchewan has taken a step designed to help livestock producers deal with predators. Agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud was criticized earlier this year for placing a bounty on coyotes to reduce predation leading to livestock injuries and deaths. But as that pilot program winds down at the end of March, he told delegates to the Saskatchewan […] Read more
Risk of double dip recession presents argument for pricing crop at today’s prices
Looking at crop price charts of the last three years, new crop prices are disappointing. But if you look at decade-long charts, current values look pretty good. At these prices most crops, except wheat, appear modestly profitable or should at least break even in 2010-11. That’s one reason why I think farmers should attempt some […] Read more
Processor sees demand rise for gluten-free oats
Production of gluten-free foods containing oats, oat bran and oat flour will grow as awareness of gluten intolerance increases, says the chief executive officer of Avena Foods in Regina. Maryellen Carlson said demand for pure oat products made in Canada and the United States, as well as oat ingredients produced at Avena’s pure oat processing […] Read more
