THE BEEF, PORK & POULTRY INDUSTRY DIGITAL MAGAZINE
January 2022
CHINA, PHILIPPINES, SOUTH KOREA SUSPEND CANADIAN BEEF IMPORTS AFTER BSE CASE The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef Announces 2022 Executive Committee NAMI: Government Intervention in Meat Markets Will Not Help Producers Loblaw Expands Commitment to Sustainable Beef Sourcing Tyson Foods Plans to Spend $1.3 Billion to Automate Meat Plants CFIB: Mental Health & Agriculture
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FCC Continues to Support Customers through Pandemic’s Fifth Wave
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NAMI: Government Intervention in Meat Markets Will Not Help Producersr
China, Philippines, South Korea Suspend Canadian Beef Imports after BSE Case
Loblaw Expands Commitment to Sustainable Beef Sourcing
The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef Announces 2022 Executive Committee
Tyson Foods Plans to Spend $1.3 Billion to Automate Meat Plants
Handtmann Expands Its Team
CFIB: Mental Health & Agriculture - Taking Care of You More Important than Ever
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THE BEEF, PORK & POULTRY INDUSTRY DIGITAL MAGAZINE
January 2022 Volume 23 Number 1 PUBLISHER Ray Blumenfeld ray@meatbusiness.ca MANAGING EDITOR Scott Taylor publishing@meatbusiness.ca DIGITAL MEDIA EDITOR Cam Patterson cam@meatbusiness.ca CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Cam Patterson, Scott Taylor, Jack Roberts, Virginia Labbie, Tom Polansek CREATIVE DIRECTOR Patrick Cairns Meat Business Pro is published 12 times a year by We Communications West Inc.
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FCC CONTINUES TO SUPPORT CUSTOMERS THROUGH PANDEMIC’S FIFTH WAVE While food producers and processors across the country face more disruptions and uncertainty as a result of the pandemic’s fifth wave, Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is reminding customers that Canada’s leading agriculture lender is here to support them. “Those involved in the agriculture and food industry are very resilient,” said Michael Hoffort, FCC president and CEO. “Over the past number of months, we have all seen how they have dealt with weather and supply chain issues, let alone managing thorugh the twists and turns of the pandemic with the fifth wave creating additional challenges for some of our customers.” From the onset of the pandemic and through the weather challenges of the past year, FCC has been offering loan payment deferrals and increased credit lines to assist customers in navigating their situation. “If you are a producer concerned about having the cash flow required to plant your crop or feed your livestock, or you are a food processor feeling the impact of lost production due to a supply chain disruption, FCC is here to support you,” Hoffort said. “Customer support is a cornerstone of our business and it’s challenging times like these where we can help.” FCC will work with customers to come up with solutions for their operations on a case-by-case basis, which may include principal payment deferrals and/or other loan payment schedule amendments to reduce financial pressures these circumstances may create. Customers whose operations have been impacted are encouraged to contact their FCC relationship manager or the FCC Customer Service Centre at 1-888-332-3301 to discuss their individual situation and options. For more information, visit fcc.ca.
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CHINA, PHILIPPINES, SOUTH KOREA SUSPEND CANADIAN BEEF IMPORTS AFTER BSE CASE China, the Philippines and South Korea in temporarily suspending imports of Canadian beef following the discovery of an atypical case of BSE in an Alberta cow in mid-December. The Chinese customs administration has stopped issuing certificates for beef and beef products from Canada, while hides are still eligible for export, according to a statement from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). “The General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) is seeking further details about the atypical BSE case,” the CFIA says. Unlike classical BSE cases, atypical BSE appears spontaneously in older cattle, even in countries where no classical BSE has ever been reported. Canada immediately reported the case, which was detected as part of the country’s BSE surveillance program, to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) on December 17, 2021. Since it’s an atypical case, Canada maintains its negligible risk status with the OIE, but the Chinese, Philippine, and South Korean governments have suspended imports while seeking more detailed information that goes beyond the OIE’s requirements. “The CFIA will provide a timely response to GACC to support the resumption of trade as soon as possible,” says the CFIA. “We understand that China has asked for more details about the Atypical case and the Government of Canada is fully engaged in responding to those questions and is working to get a resolution to this as soon as possible,” stated Dennis Laycraft, executive vice-president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. 6
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China similarly banned beef imports from its largest beef supplier, Brazil, following a pair of atypical BSE cases that were reported in September 2021. While the Brazilian government faced criticism for not immediately reporting the cases, China reportedly resumed imports from Brazil as of December 2021. Meanwhile, Canadian government officials say they provided the South Korean government with the information it was seeking prior to the Christmas period. A resolution is still expected “soon,” but no timeline has been given. “The Government of Canada is confident in the strength of Canada’s BSE safeguards and the safety of Canadian beef,” says the CFIA, noting it is “in close communication with the cattle and beef industries regarding the matter, and will continue to work with the sector to restore trade and maintain full market access for Canadian beef and beef products.” “We remain optimistic that trade can be normalized in a timely manner once the additional information is provided,” says Laycraft. According to Statistics Canada, Canadian beef exports to China in 2020 were worth approximately $103 million. From January to October 2021, Canadian beef exports to China were double in the same timeframe in 2020, reaching $165 million. Canadian beef exports to South Korea totalled just over $45 million in 2020, while exports to the Philippines in 2020 were worth just over $5 million.
The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef Announces 2022 Executive Committee
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THE GLOBAL ROUNDTABLE FOR SUSTAINABLE BEEF ANNOUNCES 2022 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) has announced its 2022 Executive Committee. Comprised of some of the beef supply chain’s largest stakeholders, with a range of diverse and industry-leading expertise, the committee will focus on progressing the organization’s work towards achieving net-zero through its global sustainability goals. The six-member 2022 Executive Committee includes industry leaders from the likes of McDonalds, Tyson Foods, Zoetis and Rabobank. • President: Mr. Ian McConnel, Tyson Foods • Vice President: Mr. Bob Lowe, Tri-L Ranch • Secretary-Treasurer: Mr. Justin Sherrard, Rabobank • Member at large: Ms. Jeannette Ferran Astorga, Zoetis • Member at large: Mr. Lucas McKelvie, McDonalds Corporation • Immediate Past-President: Mr. Bob McCan, McFaddin Enterprises Since 2012, GRSB has been working to advance sustainable beef through leadership, science, and multi-stakeholder engagement. Leaders are elected from a membership that represents the full value chain, including beef producers and producer organizations, allied services and industries, processors, retail, civil societies, and others who aim to continuously improve beef sustainability around the world. GRSB announced its global sustainability goals in June 2021. These include reducing the net global warming impact of beef 30 percent by 2030, ensuring the beef value chain is a net positive contributor to nature by 2030, and increasing the adoption of animal health and welfare best practices so that cattle are provided with an environment in which they can thrive.
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More than 500 companies and producer organizations are engaged in the work of GRSB and its members, including regionally focused beef sustainability roundtables and initiatives in Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Europe, Mexico, New Zealand, Paraguay, Southern Africa, the United States, and other countries around the world. THE NEW COMMITTEE CAME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 2022.
PRESIDENT IAN MCCONNEL (TYSON FOODS)
Ian serves as Director of Sustainability for Tyson Foods International Business Unit. Before his current position Ian served as the Global Beef Lead for World Wildlife Fund (WWF) where he led the global WWF networks approach to creating and communicating a more sustainable global beef industry. Facilitating global dialogue, collaborating across WWF offices, external stakeholders and industry partners Ian is successfully developing a cohesive and effective global effort to create a beef industry that is socially, economically, and environmentally responsible and is able to communicate this message to consumers. Ian has previously served as the GRSB Vice President for this past year, and as GRSB Secretary-Treasurer in 2019 and 2020.
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VICE PRESIDENT
Committee and Foreign Trade Committee. He is also a Council director of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB).
MR. BOB LOWE (TRI-L RANCH, LTD.)
Bob is part of a long line of ranchers that came to Alberta, Canada in the late 1800s and continues that legacy with feedlot operations based in Nanton, Alberta and a cowcalf operation in Eriksdale, Manitoba. He is an outspoken advocate for sharing information about raising cattle, feedlots, and best management practices, and promotes the understanding of the stewardship and conservation that is inherent in sustainable beef production. He currently serves as President of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) and he was also Chair of Alberta Beef Producers (2015 to 2017) and a decade as a delegate, director, and a member of the executive. First elected as a director to the CCA in 2009, Lowe has served as chair of the CCA Environment
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THE BEST DEFENSE IS A STRONG OFFENSE SECRETARY-TREASURER
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
MCKELVIE SHERRARD PROMOTING THEJUSTIN HEALTH BENEFITS OF MEAT ANDLUCAS POULTRY (MCDONALD'S (RABOBANK, CORPORATION, USA) Red meat is often wronglyNETHERLANDS) portrayed as being unhealthy. Even chicken has been getting attacked by some in the media as unhealthy or not environmentally friendly. By Ronnie P. Cons
Vegan, fish and other non-meat diets have been proposed as
Justin is the Global Strategist Animal Protein in healthier alternatives. The resultfor of this onslaught of negative Rabobank’s Foodhas & influenced Agribusiness Research group. meat messages many families (FAR) to cut back on their meat and poultry purchases. Perceptions may reality but He leads the bank’s global research, client engagement truthprofiling trumps misinformation. Parents sector. and other and in the animal protein Hisconsumers work is want what is best for their health and that of their families. directed at challenging current thinking and advising They are also aware that a lot of false information is out there companies onare risks and from strategic and as such, open to opportunities scientific facts that can correct their issues on today's and tomorrow's CEO agendas. Justin misconceptions. isThis currently completing his first termmeat as Secretaryprovides an opportunity for retail departments Treasurer on GRSB’s Executive Committee, and was a to implement an instore ‘Healthy Meat Facts’ nutritional Member-at-Large onrecord the GRSB Executive Committee campaign to set the straight and convince their in customers that meat and poultry are actually good for one’s 2020. health and that they should increase rather than decrease their purchases of it. The campaign outlined below can have a direct impact on sales: Start by displaying instore posters promoting the nutritional value of meat. They should be innovative, eye catching and be designed to specifically contradict any meat myths. The comments should all be literature based quoting research papers or MDs for maximum effect. Various posters should be made - each with a brief but powerful message covering one theme. Posters can convey the following healthy meat fact messages: 1. Let’s IRON out the Truth on Meat! “You would need to eat a massive amount of spinach to equal (the iron content) in a steak,” says Christopher Golden, an ecologist and epidemiologist at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (As quoted by nature.com in the article ‘Brain food- clever eating’.) For a woman to receive her recommended daily intake of 18 mg of iron, she would need just 300 grams of cooked bovine
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liver, 625 grams of cooked beef or an astounding 2.4 kg of
Luke McKelvie is a member of McDonald’s Global spinach. Sustainable Sourcing & Resiliency team, working crossIron found in vegetables is harder to absorb than the iron functionally andtoexternal stakeholders found in meatwith as it internal is attached fibre which inhibits its in multiple countries to help advance McDonald’s food absorption. sourcing sustainability goals. Luke has been active 2. Eat Meat for a Healthier Brain! within the GRSB for several years, including on have the GRSB Being deficient in the micronutrients found in meat been linked with low IQ, Council autism, depression and dementia says Communications and Executive Committee. Dr. Charlotte Neumann, a paediatrician at the University of Prior to joining McDonald’s, Luke specialized in California, as quoted in the article ‘Brain foodclever eating’. communications on agriculture and rural issues. He Zinc is crucial for learning and memory. Vitamin B12 received his degree in Agricultural Communications preserves the sheaths that protect nerves. from the University of Illinois. Luke grew up raising 3. Boost Your Immunity with sheep and now lives with hisMeat! wife and kids on their Due tofarm its antioxidant powers, zinc is involved in creating small in southern Illinois. antibodies to fight free radicals that increase our risk for chronic diseases.
4. Power Your Muscle Growth with Meat! MEMBER-AT-LARGE The protein in meat helps build and repair body tissues. Muscles are made of protein. That is why athletes who are FERRAN building muscle strength increase JEANNETTE their meat consumption. The protein and zinc found in meatASTORGA are important for muscle growth and repair. 5. Meat is the Complete Protein!(ZOETIS) Meat contains all of the nine essential amino acids that your body cannot make by itself. Say ‘hello’ to histidine, leucine, isoleucine, lycine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, threonine, and valine. That is why meat is Corporate called a complete Jeannette is Executive Vice President, protein. Communications and Sustainability, and Chief Affairs, 6. Eat Meat forOfficer. a Healthy Sustainability SheHeart! also serves as President Meat lots of the B vitamins for the of thecontains Zoetis Foundation. In theseneeded roles, Ms. Ferran production of hormones, red blood cells and for the proper Astorga is responsible for the company’s integrated functioning of your nervous system. and comprehensive approach to public policy, social Say ‘hello’ to niacin, folic acid, thiamine,and biotin, panthothenic responsibility, corporate reputation, colleague and acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6. They are all found in meat. leadership communications and leads the sustainability The ESG line that ‘the beststrategy. defense is a good offense’ does not and disclosure Since joining Zoetis, only apply to sports. It also applies to countering negative Jeannette established Zoetis’ Sustainability goals and meat health myths. Implementing an instore ‘Healthy Meat led Zoetis’ progress in the areas of Sustainability and Facts’ nutritional campaign to set the record straight on meat environmental, matters. and poultry. It is social a goodand waygovernance to go on the (ESG) offensive by using Among heryour many accomplishments at Zoetis thus far education customers and increasing your sales.. are the establishment the Inc., Zoetis Foundation, the of Ronnie P. Cons is CEO of C&C of Packing a leading Canadian distributor meat and poultry. be reached RCons@CCpacking.com. formation of He ourcanDriven to at Care long-term Sustainability strategy and the publication of Zoetis’ first Sustainability report. Jeannette is currently beginning her first term as a Member-at-Large on the GRSB Executive Committee. meatbusiness.ca meatbusinesspro.com
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT MR. BOB MCCAN (MCFADDIN ENTERPRISES)
Bob is finishing his second term as President of GRSB. He oversees the cattle operations and recreational hunting and wildlife operations for his family’s company, McFaddin Enterprises, Ltd. in Victoria, Refugio, and Bee Counties, Texas. Using rotational grazing on native rangeland, the family strikes a balance that meets the needs of both livestock and wildlife, benefiting both. The ranches are stocked with Victoria cattle, a commercial cross-bred of threefourths Hereford and one fourth Brahman with a uniform Hereford coloring.
About the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) is a worldwide network of the people and organizations powering progress in sustainable beef. Across its global roundtable and 12 regional roundtables, GRSB has over 500 members, working in 24 different countries. Collectively, its members are responsible for more than two thirds of cross-border beef trade. GRSB powers progress in sustainable beef by setting ambitious goals around reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving land use and animal welfare. To help achieve these goals, GRSB champions best practice, facilitates the exchange of knowledge and fosters a collaborative approach. Visit www.grsbeef.org and @grsbeef on social media meatbusinesspro.com
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HANDTMANN EXPANDS ITS TEAM
JASON MEDEIROS Rafal Rusiniak, National Business Development and Sales Manager, Handtmann Canada Limited recently announced the appointments of Jason Medeiros to the role of Key Account Manager and Kevin Hankins as Territory Sales Manager in a new Western Ontario region. Medeiros possesses a deep meat processing background with roles in Product Development and Industrial Engineering along with extensive in-plant experience. Hankins, a Handtmann Canada veteran,
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KEVIN HANKINS also brings decades of sales experience with casing manufacturers and ingredient suppliers to his new role. “Their practical in plant experience and ability to work hand in glove with customers to understand needs and manage the development of solutions fits perfectly with our goal of helping customers turn their ideas into business building products, saving time, lowering costs, and improving productivity,” says Rusiniak. For more information, visit https://handtmann.ca/
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NAMI: GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN MEAT MARKETS WILL NOT HELP PRODUCERS The North American Meat Institute released the following statement regarding the “The Biden-Harris Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain.” “For the third time in six months, President Joe Biden and his Administration announced the same plans to spend $1 billion to fund government intervention in the market in an attempt to increase prices livestock producers receive while blaming inflation on private industry,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the North American Meat Institute. “The Biden Administration continues to ignore the number one challenge to meat and poultry production: labor shortages. This tired approach is not surprising because they have refused to engage with the packing and processing sector they attack, going so far as to hold a roundtable on meat packing without a single beef or pork packer present.
“Press conferences and using taxpayer dollars to establish government-sponsored packing and processing plants will not do anything to address the lack of labor at meat and poultry plants and spiking inflation across the economy,” said Potts. “The Administration wants the American people to believe that the meat and poultry industry is unique and not experiencing the same problems causing inflation across the economy, like increased input costs, increased energy costs, labor shortages and transportation challenges. Consumers know better.” “As economists predicted, producers are seeing higher prices for their cattle because packers have processed the backlog of animals in the system.” The Biden Administration has claimed industry structure is keeping down prices cattle producers receive for their animals, conveniently ignoring the fact the beef industry has changed little for almost 30 years. Prices reflect supply and demand in a healthy market. On December 26, 2021, Larry Summers, Secretary of the Treasury for President Clinton, the Director of the National Economic Council for President Obama and Charles W. Eliot Professor and President Emeritus at Harvard University took to Twitter agreeing with leading agricultural economists highly critical of the Biden Administration’s analysis. He tweeted: “The emerging claim that antitrust can combat inflation reflects ‘science denial’. There are many areas like transitory inflation where serious economists differ. Antitrust as an anti-inflation strategy is not one of them.” Summers also said on Twitter, “Monopoly may lead to high prices but there is no reason to expect it to
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lead to rising prices unless it is increasing. There is no basis whatsoever thinking that monopoly power has increased during the past year in which inflation has greatly accelerated.
NSF INTERNATIONAL FOCUSES ON CANADIAN FOOD INDUSTRY WITH NEW WEBSITE FOR SERVICES IN CANADA
“Rising demand, with capacity and labor constraints, are fully sufficient to account for what we observe in meat packing — Administration claims notwithstanding,” tweeted Summers.
“Breaking up meatpacking would in the short run public health leadGlobal to reduced supply whichorganization would furthershowcases increases services for Canada’s growing and fast-changing prices. In industry general, when government goes to war with food industries it discourages investment and subsequent NSF International in Canada recently launched a new accredited International Association for Continuing capacity.” website - www.nsfcanada.ca - to give Canada’s growing Education and Training (IACET) site. Topics include HACCP, and complex food and beverage industry easy access
And,toaccording USDA Data, fed cattle prices areand the global to public health organization’s expertise services in Canada. The website combines information rising on their own, without government intervention. on the depth,2021 experience and capabilities of the NSF in Fourth quarter fed cattle prices are the highest International Canadian office with access to NSF five years (even as wholesale beef prices have followed International’s global services dedicated to food safety seasonal demand and decreased steadily since Labor and quality. Day, the end of the traditional annual high demand Evolving regulations across countries and increasing period).
complexities associated with a globalized food supply network present challenges for NSF International clients in THIS NEW ANNOUNCEMENT RAISES Canada and around the world. The new Canadian website QUESTIONS NEED TOnavigate offersSEVERAL expertise and services to THAT help companies these challenges, including certification and auditing, BE ANSWERED, INCLUDING: consulting, technical services, training and education, foodmuch and label packaging, and product • How extracompliance, packing plant capacity does the and process development.
food safety and quality, GFSI benchmarked standards, regulations (including FSMA), food science, food packaging, food microbiology and ISO standards. Training modalities include eLearning, on-site, customized and open enrolment. Additionally, the website includes information about management system registrations for the food, automotive, environmental, information security, medical devices, aerospace and chemical industries, as well as for Ontario drinking water programs. Visit the new Canadian website at www.nsfcanada.ca to review the food safety services capabilities video, find a list of Canadian food experts, learn about upcoming events and global news releases, a question YesGroup_CanadianMeatBusiness-Qtr-pg.pdf 1 submit 2014-05-16 1:20:17 PMor read an FAQ.
administration think is needed?
NSF International’s Canadian website provides information on the following services:
• How high should cattle prices be right now?
Certification & auditing: Third-party food safety audits andlong certifications, which are integral components of • How will the government sponsored processors supplier selection and regulatory compliance. Accurate receive government money?
audits are the first step toward successful verification of a company’s food safety system, providing improved • How much will the government sponsoredCertifications processors brand protection and customer confidence. be required pay employees? and auditstoare available for animal and produce in the agriculture industry, GFSI certification and management system • There areregistration. many small and medium sized packers in
the Consulting: market today that have team neverapproach receivedproviding government A full-service technical resources, expertise and insight a wide support – how will they be affected by theforinflux of range of food safety and quality services. NSF International government-sponsored competition? provides finished product inspection testing for food, packaging and non-food testing for rapid analysis and • When will these new plants come on-line? 2024insight to protect the brand, technical support services 2025? What impact will that have now? from on-site temporary or permanent technical staffing placements, and various types of consulting.
• Where are the target areas these plants are needed? Technical services: A one-stop solution for food product compliance and formulation, from concept to finished
• Will the new plantsfood haveand sufficient labor? packaging, product, including label compliance, product and process development, and shelf-life and evaluation.Meat Institute is a leading voice for Theproduct North American
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the Training meat and poultry industry. and education: Training for the global food and beverage industry across the supply chain as an meatbusiness.ca meatbusinesspro.com
September/October 2017 MEAT BUSINESS 23 15 January 2022CANADIAN MEATBUSINESSPRO
LOBLAW EXPANDS COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE BEEF SOURCING Company tripling initial purchase to three million pounds by 2023 The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) has announced that Loblaw Companies Ltd. is expanding its commitment to beef sustainability in Canada with a purchase of three million additional pounds of beef sourced from CRSB Certified Sustainable farms and ranches by 2023, tripling its initial purchase of one million pounds in 2020. With this latest commitment, Loblaw is reaffirming not only the importance of sustainably-raised food options for its customers, but also its support of the Canadian farmers and ranchers dedicated to sustainable practices on the ground. The beef will be purchased from CRSB Certified farms in partnership with the Ontario Corn Fed beef program, according to standards set by the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef.
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“This announcement reaffirms our long-term commitment to help advance sustainability in the beef supply chain in Canada,” said Simon Romano, Vice President of Fresh Procurement, Meat, Seafood and Deli for Loblaw Companies Ltd. “As both a retailer and a founding member of CRSB, our hope is that more beef producers will embrace certification of their on-farm practices that meet CRSB standards for sustainability.”
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“CRSB appreciates the ongoing support from a large grocery retailer like Loblaw, committed to working collaboratively with the beef industry in support of our sustainable practices, and sharing that story with Canadian consumers,” says Anne Wasko, Chair of the CRSB and rancher from Eastend SK. “This robust commitment will show our community of beef producers that Loblaw values their dedication and is serious about working with them to make real progress.”
NEW SURREY SLAUGHTERHOUSE ‘WOULD OPEN DOOR’ TO NEW BEEF MARKETS
Canada is a global leader in sustainable beef production, but there are always improvements that can be made. The Canadian beef industry has committed to a suite of robust 2030 improvement goals, including a 33% reduction in greenhouse gases, a 50% reduction in post-harvest food loss and waste, and preserving the 35 million acres of grasslands remaining in Canada, to name just a few. These goals will be Proposed 30,000-square-foot beef abattoir in Cloverdale would be B.C.’s largest such facility achieved if we all work together. By Amy Reid, Peace Arch News A federally licensed beef processing facility is in the works in Surrey, BC. Loblaw is working with its supply chain partners toward a new building coming forward, a new abattoir, I a system where“There’s at least 30% of the beef it sources will think that’s the French pronunciation of slaughterhouse,” be CRSB Certified will be intowillLoblaw’s saidand Councillor Mikeincorporated Starchuk. “So Surrey have a newer facility better capacity so Fed people will have overall beef purchases forwith itsaOntario Corn Beef the ability to not have to ship an animal to Alberta to have brand, sold in Ontario stores. it processed. The applications have gone through the Agricultural and Food Sustainability Advisory Committee.”
Sourcing even aThe portion beef from farmers andwithin the facility isof proposed on a 25-acre property Agricultural Land Reserve at 5175 184th St. The planned ranchers that have had their sustainable practices 30,000-square foot abattoir in Cloverdale would process up independently audited standards provides to 100 headagainst of cattle per day. consumer assurances foodmake is raised, Accordingabout to a cityhow report,their that would it larger than any improvements, other processing facility in B.C.. But itthe would still be supports ongoing and signals small by industry standards, compared to the largest meat importance of Canada’s agricultural system for climate processing plants in Alberta that process 3,000 heads of change mitigation its role in a sustainable food cattleand per day. system. The proposed facility would be fully enclosed and designed
so as to not emit odours. And while there is an operational 6,000-square-foot abattoir on the property now, it’s can only process a limited number of cattle. Chris Les is general manager of Meadow Valley Meats, the company behind the project. Meadow Valley Meats is seeking a Canadian Food Inspection Agency license for the proposed abattoir, to become a federally registered meat establishment and expand the operation. This would allow the meat products to be transported beyond B.C.’s boundaries. “Our focus is on trying to bring a more efficient, sustainable local product to the market, realizing we can do that now in a very limited sense,” said Les. “I caution people when talking to them and they say, ‘What a big plant, that’s going to go allow you to go mainstream.’ Well, yes, if you look in the context of B.C., but this is still a very niche plant and we’ll serve a niche industry for producers and for the market. It’s certainly not going to be a monstrosity of a plant but it’ll be a big upgrade from the site currently.” Continued on page 32
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TYSON FOODS PLANS TO SPEND $1.3 BILLION TO AUTOMATE MEAT PLANTS By Tom Polansek, Reuters Tyson Foods Inc. has announced plans to spend more than $1.3 billion to increase automation in meat plants over the next three years said Chief Executive Donnie King as a U.S. labor shortage has limited production while demand is booming. Meat processors have been unable to find enough workers for the past two years due to the tight labor market and health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tyson expects to boost production and reduce labor costs by expanding automation, with cumulative savings of more than $450 million projected by fiscal year 2024, King said on a webcast for investors. The company will increasingly use machines, instead of people, to debone chicken, one of its most laborintensive jobs and a position with high turnover, said David Bray, group president of Tyson’s poultry division. A capital investment of $500 million in the area through fiscal year 2024 will generate labor savings equal to more than 2,000 jobs, he said.
utilization, and will increase processing to 40 million birds weekly in fiscal year 2022, or 85% capacity, Bray said. The company aims to slaughter 47 million birds a week over time, reaching about 98% capacity utilization, to meet strong demand, he said. “Demand is outpacing supply,” he said. Tyson shifted production during the pandemic to adapt to soaring demand at grocery stores and reduced sales at restaurants. About 59,000 U.S. meatpacking workers were infected with COVID-19 through January at plants run by Tyson and competitors, according to a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee report.
Profitability in Tyson’s chicken unit has declined partly due to the labor shortage and because processing plants are operating below full capacity, Bray said. “We are not servicing our customers to the degree that they expect us to,” Bray said. Tyson slaughtered about 37 million chickens a week on average in fiscal year 2021, accounting for 80% capacity
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January 2022 https://www.cfib.ca MEATBUSINESSPRO
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MENTAL HEALTH & AGRICULTURE - TAKING CARE OF YOU MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER 2022 is here and it’s a good time to reflect on the year that was and look forward to the year ahead. Hopefully you have many things to celebrate personally and professionally as you reflect on 2021. However, as small businesses are plunged into another round of restrictions in many parts of the country due to the latest COVID-19 wave, it can be hard to remain optimistic about the year ahead. “Two weeks to flatten the curve” has now turned into two years and small business owners have sacrificed a lot. The toll from the pandemic on mental health is evident as businesses struggle to survive and its quickly becoming a more serious and emergent issue.
these environmental and economic challenges coupled with the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic can have a significant impact on farm business owners and employees alike. In fact, when CFIB surveyed agri-business owners about what worries them most about Covid-19, 68% said the economic repercussions on the provincial, national and/or global economy. Forty-two per cent said business logistics (e.g. getting and shipping products, managing inventories). Rounding out the top concerns was overwhelming stress. More than a third of agribusinesses identified this as their top concern. While stress, by definition, is not a mental illness like anxiety or depression, stressors increase the risk of developing a mental health condition. Paired with concern about the short-term and long-term economic outlook, as well as current challenges for their businesses it is understandable that the stress of weathering the pandemic can feel overwhelming.
For farmers and agri-business owners across the country, it has also been very challenging. Droughts, floods, market interruptions and supply chain challenges have impacted many farms and small agricultural firms. Like small business owners, many of these issues impacting their businesses are largely out of their control. Stress and anxiety as a result of
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DF: I don’t think being on the island has really impacted us negatively one way or the other. We’ve traveled a lot, met a lot of other farmers and livestock producers in other parts of Canada, and we all seem to have the same issues and same concerns. CMB: I understand that your farm was the first in Atlantic Canada to be involved in the TESA program. DF: Yes, I think we were the first farm east of Ontario as far as I understand. I’m not sure why the eastern associations wouldn’t have previously nominated anybody because there are many farms here on PEI doing every bit as much as we are as to attain a high level of sustainability. Anyway, we were very surprised when the PEI Cattleman’s Association nominated our farm. CMB: And then you were attending the Canadian Beef conference in Calgary Recent research has highlighted an increase and you won.
in symptoms of anxiety and depression DF: Yeah! That was a very nice moment among Canadians thetopandemic. In for us. Butduring I don’t like use the August 2020, 1 in 3 Canadians word an winestimated actually. However, being reported recognized experiencing depression and for our commitment was a real honour. If you want know anxiety related to COVID-19 in atoreport the truth, it was research a pretty humbling from Deloitte. Further conducted experience. As I saidMental to CBCHealth when they by UBC and the Canadian phoned me after the conference, I was Association (CMHA) during the early days of just floored, really couldn’t believe it. the pandemic showed an increase in suicidal So now that youup have been thoughtsCMB: and feelings (10% from 2.5% recognized, do you think that will spring 2020, which was already significantly draw more attention and garner more higher from pre-pandemic level). This is a nominations out of Atlantic Canada worrying going concern for all Canadians, and with forward? an increase in stressors, for small business DF: Absolutely. We’ve gotten a lot owners asofwell as their employees. good press highlighting the island cattle industry. I’m positive you’ll see
At the farm gate specifically, study more farms in our neckaofrecent the woods by Farm Credit Canada found that 35% nominated next year. And I have to of give Canadian Cattleman’s Association producersthemet the criteria for depression, a farmstress from 45% wererecognition classifiedfor aschoosing having high Prince Edward Island. We are small levels and 58% met the criteria for anxiety. players in the national beef industry CFIB research found that 41% of agriculture and I think it was a real credit to their respondents were not comfortable talking organization to recognize us. They about mental health the workplace. treated all the in nominees royally and it In addition, according to The Do aMore was a real class act. It was wonderful Agriculture Foundation, 40% of producers experience. across Canada reported that they would feel uneasy about seeking professional help due to what people may think. This needs to Continued on page 22 change. meatbusiness.ca meatbusinesspro.com
https://www.yesgroiup.ca September/October 2017 CANADIAN MEAT BUSINESS 17 January 2022 MEATBUSINESSPRO
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What worries you most about COVID-19? - JUNE
Source: Canadian Federation of Independent Business- Your Voice- June 2021 – Ag n=199 In these times of uncertainty, it is now more important than ever to encourage agri-business owners to take care of their own mental health and to reach out for help and support. While the statistics above seem quite dire, there appears to be a real shift in the industry and a growing and sustained focus on mental health wellness in the agricultural sector. The discussion on social media and in agricultural publications have become much more encouraging about addressing mental health and many producers have been sharing their mental health challenges to inspire others. The recent Agriculture Ministers meeting in November discussed the magnitude and complexity of mental health in agriculture. Hopefully this will spur more mental health initiatives federally and provincially to support those that work in this dynamic sector.
ARE YOU FEELING OVERWHELMING STRESS? As a business owner, many people depend on you: your employees, your suppliers, your community, your family. You have become an expert in many areas of business operations, but even in a stable economy running a business is a challenge – then comes COVID. As you focus on keeping the business afloat, address employees’ anxieties and fears, support your community, and try to keep a bit of yourself to give to your family… who is taking care of you?
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During this pandemic we’ve spoken to thousands of business owners about everything under the sun and the last thing they tend to address is their own wellbeing. You are the keystone of your business and its greatest asset. You are not alone. There are many resources and tools available. Contact CFIB’s our Business Help Line at cfib@cfib.ca or call 1-888-234-2232. Important to note: If you are in crisis, please visit your local emergency department or call 911 immediately. The Do More Agriculture Foundation lists national and provincial crisis lines and support contacts which can be found here: https://www.domore.ag/crisis-contacts Are you a CFIB member and have employees? You can access our FREE VuBIZ Mental Health Awareness course. This e-course is an introduction to mental illness, mental well-being, and the factors that put people at risk. You will also learn about the value of early intervention and the promotion of mental wellbeing at work. meatbusinesspro.com
Virginia Labbie is the Senior Policy Analyst, Agribusiness for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). CFIB is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 95,000 members (6,000 agri-business members) across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca. January 2022 MEATBUSINESSPRO
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