Our July Issue

USDA Offers $115M in Grants to Boost to Smaller Meat Processors

$115M Grants

Transforming Chicken Manure into Nutrient-rich Fertilizer for Crops

Transforming Chicken Manure into CRSB and CCA Continue Engagement for International A Shining Example of Collaborative

CRSB and CCA Continue Engagement for International Sustainability Standards A Shining Example of Collaborative Leadership in a Family Business

https://www.yesgroup.ca

July 2023

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Cardinal Meats Announces Facility Expansion Global Meat Processing Equipment Market to Reach $24.6 Billion by 2030

USDA Offers $115M in Grants to Boost to Smaller Meat Processors

How to Spot an Online Phishing Scam and Avoid Getting Hooked

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Transforming Chicken Manure into Nutrient-rich Fertilizer for Crops

CRSB and CCA Continue Engagement for International Sustainability Standards

A Shining Example of Collaborative Leadership in a Family Business

The Rise of AI in Agriculture

https://www.reiser.com

PUBLISHER

Ray Blumenfeld ray@meatbusinesspro.ca

MANAGING EDITOR

Scott Taylor publishing@meatbusinesspro.ca

DIGITAL MEDIA EDITOR

Cam Patterson cam@meatbusinesspro.ca

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

SeoRhin Yoo, Cam Patterson, Jack Roberts, Erin Matthew

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Patrick Cairns

Meat Business Pro is published 12 times a year by We Communications West Inc

CARDINAL MEATS ANNOUNCES FACILITY EXPANSION

Cardinal Meats Specialists, a leading Canadian family-owned business in the protein processing industry, has announced the expansion of its head office and main production facility located in Brampton, ON.

As Cardinal continues to experience growth driven by customer demand, the decision to expand the facility with an addition of 33,000 square feet to the existing 89,000 square feet, the newly expanded facility now boasts a total area of 122,000 square feet.

“The expansion of our production facility is a direct response to the growing demands of our loyal customers,” said Brent Cator, President & CEO of Cardinal Meats Specialists. “We understand that our customers are looking for highquality products and convenient solutions, and we want to be there for them every step of the way. This expansion allows us to further meet their needs and continue our mission of existing to meet the needs of our customers.”

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The expansion has been carefully planned to accommodate future growth. By building in advance, Cardinal can respond to the evolving demands of its customers, ensuring seamless service and timely delivery.

“We take pride in being a trusted partner for our customers,” added Cator. “Our expanded facility and production capacity exemplifies our commitment to growth and our valued customers.”

ABOUT CARDINAL MEATS SPECIALISTS:

Cardinal Meat Specialists has created a broad range of specialty products from burgers to fully cooked proteins servicing both retail and food service customers across Canada. The company’s roots trace to Jack Cator starting on the farm and then running butcher shops, followed by son Ralph who elevated the business to protein processing in the 60’s under the Cardinal name. Now under the stewardship of third generation Brent Cator, For more information, visit www.cardinalmeats.com

THE BEEF, PORK & POULTRY INDUSTRY DIGITAL MAGAZINE

The global economy is at a critical crossroads with a number of challenges and crises running in parallel. The uncertainty around how Russia`s war on Ukraine will play out this year and the war`s role in creating global instability means that the trouble on the inflation front is not over yet.

According to a recent report by Reportlinker.com, the global market for Meat Processing Equipment estimated at $12.4 Billion US in the year 2022, is projected to reach a revised size of $24.6 Billion US by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 9% over the period 2022-2030. Slicing, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to record 8.8% CAGR and reach $6.2 Billion US by the end of the analysis period. Considering the ongoing post pandemic recovery, growth in the Tenderizing segment is readjusted to a revised 8.4% CAGR for the next 8-year period.

The Meat Processing Equipment market in the U.S. is estimated at $3.4 Billion US in the year 2022. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of $5.9 Billion US by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 14% over the analysis period 2022 to 2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 5.1% and 7.2% respectively over the 2022-2030 period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 6.4% CAGR.

GLOBAL MEAT PROCESSING EQUIPMENT MARKET TO REACH $24.6 BILLION BY 2030

Food and fuel inflation will remain a persistent economic problem. Higher retail inflation will impact consumer confidence and spending. As governments combat inflation by raising interest rates, new job creation will slow down and impact economic activity and growth. Lower capital expenditure is in the offing as companies go slow on investments, held back by inflation worries and weaker demand. With slower growth and high inflation, developed markets seem primed to enter a recession.

Fears of new COVID outbreaks and China’s already uncertain post-pandemic path poses a real risk of the world experiencing more acute supply chain pain and manufacturing disruptions this year. Volatile financial markets, growing trade tensions, stricter regulatory, environment and pressure to mainstream climate change into economic decisions will compound the complexity of challenges faced. 2023 is expected to be a tough year for most markets, investors and consumers. Nevertheless, there is always opportunity for businesses and their leaders who can chart a path forward with resilience and adaptability.

The report is available at https://www.reportlinker.com/p06032134/?utm_

USDA OFFERS $115M IN GRANTS TO BOOST TO SMALLER MEAT PROCESSORS

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA is making investments to increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, expand market opportunities for farmers and support a growing workforce in rural areas.

“While American farmers and ranchers have been responding to the demand to produce more, their communities have struggled to see their share of the benefits,” Vilsack said. “Under the leadership of the BidenHarris Administration, USDA is committed to championing meat and poultry processers, increasing competition and lowering costs for working families. The announcement

I’m making today highlights these producers and reflects the goals of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which advances a sustainable vision of agriculture, prioritizes the needs of our producers and small businesses, promotes competition, strengthens our domestic agricultural supply chains and brings prosperity to people and places in rural parts of our country.”

The announcement comes on the heels of President Biden delivering a major address on “Bidenomics” — his vision for growing the economy from the middle out and bottom up by investing in America, increasing competition, and empowering workers.

USDA is providing 15 awards totaling $115 million in 17 states. USDA is providing five awards totaling $38 million through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) to help independent processors in five states. USDA is also providing 10 awards totaling $77 million under the Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP) in 12 states.

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture is also providing seven awards totaling $4.5 million to community and technical colleges in seven states through the Meat and Poultry Processing–Agricultural Workforce Training (AWT) program. These investments will build a pipeline of well-trained meat processing workers and support safe workplaces with fair wages for workers.

Secretary Vilsack made the announcement during a roundtable with producers and businesses in Des Moines, Iowa, and highlighted efforts under the Biden-Harris Administration to build more, new and better markets and strengthen farm and food businesses.

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SOME EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS IN TODAY’S ANNOUNCEMENT INCLUDE:

• In Montana, Mountain West Economic Development will use a $15 million MPILP investment to support meat and poultry processing and slaughterhouse operations in Flathead Valley.

• In Michigan, three independent businesses will use a $2 million MPPEP award to help construct and equip a meat and poultry processing and retail facility: Mighty Fine Poultry Processing, LLC will slaughter and process poultry; Retro Meats Company, LLC will process red meat; and Swift Run Market, LLC will also process and sell meat products. Together, these activities are expected to increase demand for animals, increase opportunities for producers, and improve processing operations.

• Farmers Union Foundation, a charitable organization that provides resources for rural economic development, will use an $800,000 MPILP award to lend funds to independent small and medium sized meat processors in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

This announcement will also support projects in Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

BACKGROUND

Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) is made possible by American Rescue Plan Act funding, provides grants to help eligible independent processors expand their capacity. To date in fiscal year 2023, USDA has awarded $171 million to 31 MPPEP projects that have created nearly 3,000 jobs in rural communities.

Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP) provides grant funding to intermediary lenders who finance the start-up, expansion, or operation of independent meat and poultry processing facilities. To date in fiscal year 2023, USDA has awarded $186 million to 24 MPILP projects that supported economic growth in 14 states and Puerto Rico.

Meat and Poultry Processing–Agricultural Workforce Training (AWT) Program

Leaders across the beef, pork and poultry industries consistently share that an expanded, well-trained workforce is one of their most persistent needs. Safe and resilient meat and poultry supply chains require a skilled, credentialed and diverse workforce.

For more information, visit usda.gov

THE BEST DEFENSE A STRONG OFFENSE

PROMOTING THE HEALTH BENEFITS

Red meat is often wrongly portrayed as being unhealthy. some in the media as unhealthy or not environmentally friendly.

HOW TO SPOT AN ONLINE PHISHING SCAM AND AVOID GETTING HOOKED

Online scams remain a common problem across Canada, and farmers and ranchers are not immune.

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), Canadians lost over $40 million to online scams in 2020, and phishing continues to be used in most cases.

Phishing scams are typically misleading and deceptive emails or text messages that falsely claim to come from legitimate organizations like banks, businesses or governments.

healthier alternatives. The result of this onslaught of negative meat messages has influenced many families to cut back on their meat and poultry purchases. Perceptions may reality but truth trumps misinformation. Parents and other consumers want what is best for their health and that of their families. They are also aware that a lot of false information is out there and as such, are open to scientific facts that can correct their misconceptions.

The scams aren’t limited to individuals. One agricultural conference organization almost lost close to $200,000 in 2020, but the fraud was detected before the money vanished.

liver, 625 spinach.

Iron found found in absorption.

FARMERS AS TARGETS

While usually carried out over email, phishing has also spread elsewhere online like social media, and this year, scammers included drought-affected Western producers among their targets.

“Because of the dry conditions on the Prairies, farmers were seeking hay for their animals,” says Wes Lafortune, Better Business Bureau media and communications specialist. “Scammers would post ads for hay for sale online and then ask for payment in full, or at least a 50% deposit. Once paid, the scammer disappeared.”

ARE YOU BEING PHISHED?

This provides an opportunity for retail meat departments to implement an instore ‘Healthy Meat Facts’ nutritional campaign to set the record straight and convince their customers that meat and poultry are actually good for one’s health and that they should increase rather than decrease their purchases of it. The campaign outlined below can have a direct impact on sales:

Beware of unsolicited text messages and emails from individuals or organizations asking you to click or tap on a link or attachment, CAFC warns.

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.

2. Eat Meat Being deficient linked with Dr. Charlotte California, Zinc is preserves

3. Boost Due to antibodies chronic

4. Power The protein Muscles building The protein growth

Posters can convey the following healthy meat fact messages:

1. Let’s IRON out the Truth on Meat!

Signs of phishing include spelling mistakes in an email address or message, says Jennifer Hogan, a senior security analyst within the IT division of Farm Credit Canada (FCC). Phishing messages are likely to include offers too good to be true and attempts to trigger a sense of urgency to respond quickly, she says. Hogan says to also look out for requests for personal, financial or login information.

PREVENTATIVE STEPS

“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’.)

5. Meat Meat contains body cannot isoleucine, threonine, protein.

CAFC recommends that with email, verify hyperlinks behind the text in a link or a button by hovering over the words, but avoid clicking on any links or attachments, as they may contain viruses or spyware.

For a woman to receive her recommended daily intake of 18 mg of iron, she would need just 300 grams of cooked bovine

Continued on page 12

6. Eat Meat Meat contains production functioning Say ‘hello’ acid, vitamin The line only apply meat health Facts’ and poultry. education

Ronnie P. meat and

https://www.mmequip.com

HOGAN SUGGESTS FURTHER STEPS TO TAKE:

• Use password managers (a computer program that stores, generates and manages passwords for online services) to secure your passwords instead of writing them down.

• Configure multi-factor authentication (an electronic authentication where password-protected accounts can only be accessed after successfully presenting two or more pieces of evidence, like two security questions, or granting access through a second account) when provided with the option.

• Complete data backups.

• Remove administration rights (where someone else has privileges to perform most, if not all, functions within an operating system on a computer).

HAVE YOU BEEN HOOKED?

Hogan says you may have been phished if you observe:

• Passwords that no longer work.

• Odd behaviour on your computer, like the fan running more frequently, apps crashing and a sudden general slowness.

• Unusual charges on credit cards or bank account withdrawals never made.

• Files no longer open and a ransomware message displays on your screen.

ACTION

If you are a victim of a phishing attack, Hogan advises letting your financial institutions know immediately. While they monitor accounts, she stresses changing your passwords and adding multi-factor authentication (like Google authenticator) if possible.

Hogan notes that once you’re hit with ransomware, where the contents of your computer are held for ransom and not released until a fee is paid, you cannot clean your system and will be forced to wipe your computer and reload the operating system and apps.

If you lose money, Hogan says to contact the CAFC through its Fraud Reporting System, or by calling 1-888-495-8501. Also consider signing up with a credit monitoring service like Equifax, she advises, to track how your personal information may be used in the future.

BOTTOM LINE

Farmers are at as much risk of online phishing scams as anyone else. Know the signs of phishing attempts to avoid being hooked. Steer clear of unfamiliar text messages or emails with links or logins, use multifactor authentication and complete data backups. All are steps to thwart fraudsters from gaining control of your computer systems or your financial accounts.

Article courtesy of Farm Credit Canada - https://www.fccfac.ca/en.html

https://www.beaconmetals.com

TRANSFORMING CHICKEN MANURE INTO NUTRIENTRICH FERTILIZER FOR CROPS

By Erin Matthews, Canadian Light Source

An international collaboration between researchers from Brazil and the United States has identified a process for turning poultry waste into a soil additive for agriculture.

“Several countries have large poultry production, especially United States and Brazil, where agriculture is also concentrated,” says Aline Leite, a Post Doctoral researcher from the Federal University of Lavras in Brazil. “So, reusing a global residue generated in large amounts is an interesting way of promoting a circular economy.”

The researchers harvested poultry manure from an experimental site in the United States, which they heated to turn into biochar, a carbon-rich substance that is used as a soil additive to replenish critical nutrients like phosphorus.

“We are focused on understanding mechanisms that are responsible for increasing phosphorus availability in materials like manure,” says Leite.

Poultry manure is full of calcium and requires higher temperature treatments to turn the waste into biochar, however, these higher temperatures can have an effect on the amount of phosphorus available.

NSF INTERNATIONAL FOCUSES ON CANADIAN FOOD INDUSTRY WITH NEW WEBSITE FOR SERVICES IN CANADA

Leite says that synchrotron technology is essential for research into agricultural applications“This technology is extremely important for agriculture because it helps determine the concentration and forms of elements that are essential for plant growth,” says Leite. “By accessing the distribution of elements and understanding potential impacts, it gives us a great perspective for sustainable agriculture. The effective use of this technology in the study was only possible due to an international collaboration with researchers of different backgrounds.”

Global public health organization showcases services for Canada’s growing and fast-changing

Leite’s study was developed at Cornell University, and carried out under the supervision of professors Johannes Lehmann (Cornell University) and Leônidas Melo (Federal University of Lavras, Brazil).

to the global public health organization’s expertise and services in Canada. The website combines information on the depth, experience and capabilities of the NSF International Canadian office with access to NSF International’s global services dedicated to food safety and quality.

In order to ensure that the biochar contained sufficient available phosphorus, the researchers enriched it with another mineral, magnesium, which protected the phosphorus from the heat and enabled it to form more soluble forms of phosphorus.

Using the IDEAS and VLS-PGM beamlines at the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), the researchers were able to visualize the connection between phosphorus and magnesium and confirm the success of their technique.

Evolving regulations across countries and increasing complexities associated with a globalized food supply network present challenges for NSF International clients in Canada and around the world. The new Canadian website offers expertise and services to help companies navigate these challenges, including certification and auditing, consulting, technical services, training and education, food and label compliance, packaging, and product and process development.

While phosphorus reserves are found across the globe, the nutrient is a finite resource. Finding ways to recycle the mineral is an important issue for scientists.

NSF International’s Canadian website provides information on the following services:

“There's no excuse for not using the phosphorus that is already in the food chain, for example, by reusing the waste that is already generated,” says Leite.

Certification & auditing: Third-party food safety audits and certifications, which are integral components of supplier selection and regulatory compliance. Accurate audits are the first step toward successful verification of a company’s food safety system, providing improved technical resources, expertise and insight for a wide range

accredited International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) site. Topics include HACCP, food safety and quality, GFSI benchmarked standards, regulations (including FSMA), food science, food packaging,

A one-stop solution for food product product, including food and label compliance, packaging, and beverage industry across the supply chain as an

CRSB AND CCA CONTINUE ENGAGEMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY STANDARDS

Over the course of the past year, the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) has been engaging with the Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB), learning from one another and discussing pending environment, social and governance (ESG) disclosure requirements in Canada.

This is the area of concern for the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) and CRSB. Cattle production is a Scope 3 emission for retail, food service and cattle processing companies as a purchased input or upstream input. CRSB’s National Beef Sustainability Assessment measures the Canadian beef cattle production industry’s collective greenhouse gas output. Work is ongoing to see how that report can satisfy these requirements.

Following the release of these standards the CSSB issued a media release confirming;

CRSB’s diverse membership across the beef value chain, along with its National Beef Sustainability Assessment –a scientific study that benchmarks all of Canadian beef production, has the beef sector in an advantageous position as the ESG reporting situation unfolds.

On Monday, June 26, 2023, the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) released its first two standards – IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information and IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures. The purpose of the standards is to translate sustainability information into accounting language and provide a baseline structure for publicly traded companies to report on their ESG performance.

The ISSB has included value chain disclosures (i.e., Scope 3 greenhouse gases (GHGs)) as described in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard (2011); however, the ISSB has provided transition relief allowing companies to submit their first annual reporting period without disclosing their Scope 3 GHGs.

“The CSSB will partner with the ISSB by supporting the uptake of ISSB standards in Canada, highlighting key issues for the Canadian context, and facilitating interoperability between ISSB standards and any forthcoming CSSB standards. Canadian consultation efforts are currently underway on the ISSB’s project to set its agenda priorities for the next two years and proposed amendments to Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards.”

The CRSB and CCA will continue to build relationships and work collaboratively on this topic. This includes discussions with regulators, publicly traded value chain partners and others. Producers can stay tuned as CCA and CRSB share opportunities for beef farmers and ranchers to provide input on the work. Keep an eye out for further updates.

A SHINING EXAMPLE OF COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP IN A FAMILY BUSINESS

Led by brothers Fabien, Donald and Alexandre Fontaine, Préval AG is a shining example of forward-thinking, collaborative leadership. The company has become one of North America’s leading veal producers and the second-largest lamb processor. Located in SaintHyacinthe in Montérégie, Quebec, the family business oversees 42 subsidiaries encompassing all operations in the production chain, from calf, beef and lamb to transportation and processing. It also produces field crops and vegetables and processes grains.

The group, which is behind the Famille Fontaine brand in Canada and Catelli Brothers in the United States, employs 1,600 people and has consolidated sales of $750 million.

FROM FARM TO FORK

The eldest, Fabien, decided to start raising calves in 1989 by starting Délimax, and Donald joined him shortly after. In the late 90s, seeing that the vertical integration of their activities would give them a competitive strategic advantage, the two brothers combined the niches of breeding, food and processing. Vertical integration is a strategy in which one company takes control of multiple stages of the production process and supply chain rather than relying on external contractors or suppliers. In 2004, Alexandre, the youngest, who until then had been working as an engineer in the United States, joined as well.

Over the years, the trio has consistently grown the family business through alliances and strategic acquisitions, including that of Montpak International, which enabled them to create Délimax-Montpak in 2015. In 2021, they consolidated the activities of the various companies they manage into a parent company, Préval AG.

The leadership of each division is distinct, but the Fontaine brothers collaborate and confide in each other, seeing themselves as part of the same unit. Despite being in different locations, they make sure to exchange information and ideas on an almost daily basis. “Although each sector has its own realities, being a family business makes it possible to find and adapt the best operating methods for each link in the value chain,” Alexandre says.

NEW SURREY SLAUGHTERHOUSE

As President and CEO, Fabien sits on the board of directors of all divisions, and each board is made up of an executive committee that holds ad hoc meetings. In addition, the three brothers work closely with the managers of each division, whose mandate includes fostering synergy between the various teams. Innovation and sustainable development

‘WOULD OPEN DOOR’ TO NEW BEEF MARKETS

“With the founding of Préval AG, we are strengthening our leading position in the food industry. In this way, it is easier for our customers to find their way around and for our employees from different divisions to recognize themselves in the network. We continue to be guided by the vision we have aspired to since the beginning, which is to achieve a fully vertically integrated business from farm to fork,” Fabien says.

Proposed 30,000-square-foot beef abattoir in Cloverdale would be

By Amy Reid, Peace Arch News

A federally licensed beef processing facility is in the works in Surrey, BC.

Growth and diversification

“There’s a new building coming forward, a new abattoir, I think that’s the French pronunciation of slaughterhouse,” said Councillor Mike Starchuk. “So Surrey will have a newer facility with a better capacity so people will have the ability to not have to ship an animal to Alberta to have it processed. The applications have gone through the Agricultural and Food Sustainability Advisory Committee.”

Each brother’s work complements the work of his siblings in the company, and each leads the sector that highlights his strengths. Fabien chairs the entire group and manages animal production, field crops and herd feed. Donald oversees transportation and vegetable production while wearing the hat of “opportunity detector.” As for Alexandre, he is responsible for meat processing and marketing meat products.

The facility is proposed on a 25-acre property within the Agricultural Land Reserve at 5175 184th St. The planned 30,000-square foot abattoir in Cloverdale would process up to 100 head of cattle per day.

According to a city report, that would make it larger than any other processing facility in B.C.. But it would still be small by industry standards, compared to the largest meat processing plants in Alberta that process 3,000 heads of cattle per day.

The proposed facility would be fully enclosed and designed but

be a big upgrade from the site currently.”

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https://www.tcextrade.com

INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

“If Préval AG is able to ensure sustainability and maintain its competitive advantage on the North American scene, it is because we have always been able to innovate and reinvest profits wisely in the company while maintaining a long-term vision,” Fabien says. “And obviously, our success is due to our passion and hard work, values that are deeply rooted in the Fontaine family,” adds Alexandre.

Each year, Préval AG has a budget of more than $2 million for its research and development team to support actions that promote animal welfare and meet the principles of sustainable development while preserving profitability. With this in mind, several innovations have been implemented in agricultural and food production, such as the use of whey from local cheese factories for feeding calves, the establishment of a grain processing plant for better digestibility of animal feed and a second plant that recycles nutrientrich straw for calves. The company also regulates the daily use of propane and has installed solar walls and windows on farm buildings.

In terms of slaughter and meat processing, considerable sustainability efforts are also being made, including the use of packaging with a lower environmental impact, the recovery of residual materials, systematic recycling and the reduction of energy consumption.

FAMILY SPIRIT

Recognized in 2021 as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for its organizational purpose and commitment to the health and well-being of its people, Préval AG has always valued the family aspect of its business. It cultivates a sense of belonging and ownership for those who participate in its management. “They are more invested in the company’s performance and feel empowered to do their best,” Alexandre says. What’s more, five of the Fontaine brothers’ children are already employees of the group.

Among other forward-thinking management practices, the Fontaine brothers designed a system that offers high-performing executives the opportunity to become partners by making them shareholders in the company. These executives have access to financial indicators, participate in strategic decision-making and play an active role in the company’s growth.

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 and you won.

“The associated executives form a close relationship with us, feel a greater sense of belonging and definitely feel more invested,” Fabien says. In addition, the regular presence of Fabien, Donald and Alexandre on the floor in the company allows employees to have direct access to the CEOs.

VISION FOR THE FUTURE

DF: Yeah! That was a very nice moment for us. But I don’t like to use the word win actually. However, being recognized for our commitment was a real honour. If you want to know the truth, it was a pretty humbling experience. As I said to CBC when they phoned me after the conference, I was just floored, really couldn’t believe it.

CMB: So now that you have been recognized, do you think that will draw more attention and garner more nominations out of Atlantic Canada going forward?

The Fontaine brothers’ key to achieving vertical integration has been the ongoing optimization of their business strategy, within and across various stages of production and distribution, throughout the entire value chain. With its business model that effectively meets the everincreasing demands of the market, Préval AG continues to think big for its future.

Article courtesy of Farm Credit Canada

DF: Absolutely. We’ve gotten a lot of good press highlighting the island cattle industry. I’m positive you’ll see more farms in our neck of the woods https://www.yesgroiup.ca

THE RISE OF AI IN AGRICULTURE

Is it time to move away from human labour?

Artificial Intelligence, also known as AI, has been the talk of the town in recent times with the publication of easy-to-access programs such as ChatGPT. We know that the purpose of AI is to help make our lives easier, but there is also confusion surrounding what it is and how it works, especially for sectors such as agriculture where automation has already saturated the field. The following is an in-depth look at what AI can potentially do for your agri-business.

AI is certainly not brand-new for small businesses and consumers alike. For instance, when you’re using a search engine such as Google, using Siri on your iPhone, or scrolling through social media, looking through a carefully curated feed made just for you, you’re using AI. Generally, the way it works is that information is constantly fed to the system and the system learns its language and trends, making it easier or more suitable for your palate to find information. So, what does the next step in AI for agriculture look like and how can this affect your agri-business?

Recently on agriculture Twitter, a video of an AI based laser weeder went viral. In the video, we see an autonomous robotic weeder shooting lasers at the field and precisely eradicating weeds. According to the maker of the weeder, Carbon Robotics, the machine “utilizes high-power lasers to eradicate weeds using thermal energy, without disturbing the soil”. The makers also promote that the machine is not only more effective than herbicides, but also improves yields.

This is clearly a game changer; the tweet garnered an incredible number of responses in a very short amount of time (14.5 million views in one day) with even Elon Musk showing interest. Machines like this could save a lot of time and worry for many Canadian farmers who are currently facing labour shortages. The machine not only runs 24/7 but it works in virtually all weather and is better for the environment.

Another AI based software that has recently made headlines in the Canadian farm world is the Herd management/BETSY monitoring software, made by OneCup AI. This software is designed for livestock management. It works by placing cameras in high traffic areas of the barn, and using facial and full body recognition software, it alerts the farmer of any significant events through text messages.

This allows the farmer the breathing room to turn their attention away from the barn for a little while to tend to other business. The software also provides a portal where farmers can keep track of their livestock record, ranging from livestock health, activity, growth, to nutrition.

AI tools such as the ones mentioned above may provide incredible benefits for small agri-business owners who are running around trying to juggle ten different tasks. Not only could it save them time, but it may also save them the trouble of having to look for labour in a tight market.

This all sounds great for the future of our agriculture sector. However, is there truly no bad side to this?

To start off, machines such as the autonomous robotic weeder are very costly. While Carbon Robotics does not share the exact price of the LaserWeeder, CEO Paul Mikesell has stated that the cost is comparable to a mid-size tractor. For a small farm business, this is not a cost that’s easy to cough up. Carbon Robotics does make the argument that farmers will see a return on the money that they’re saving in the long run within 1 to 3 years. However, there’s no guarantee that the many small farms that are already struggling will survive to see the returns.

In terms of AI software costs, OneCup AI’s software pricing is on a subscription basis; the basic herd management software costs $19 per month and the BETSY Monitoring software costs $39/Month per Camera. While this does seem a lot more affordable compared to the weeder, the cost does add up, especially if you’re using more than one camera.

Another cautionary detail is cyber security. As talked about in our September 2022 column (Rural Crime & Security), interconnected smart sensors, smart meters, cameras, digital payment methods, etc., are becoming a threat to Canadian agriculture’s cyber security. Not only are finances vulnerable to attack, but information, records, and data are all at risk when using AI technology. Of course, agri-businesses can stay informed and take extra security measures, but this may come with additional time and money spent.

Lastly, although it sounds like these machines and software will be an end many longstanding problems in agriculture, AI is not without limitations. There may be angles that cameras miss, system errors creating failures to send text alerts, and certain crops that won’t be properly recognized with the current machine. AI is always learning, and companies will continuously improve features, but errors will always pop up every so often.

Like all things in the world, there’s two sides to AI. While it could be a life-changing revolutionary tool for one, it could be an unresponsive piece of junk to another. One thing for sure however, AI is not to replace people but should rather be used to help people focus on more important tasks. No matter where we sit with AI, there will always be a need for human hands.

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SeoRhin Yoo is a Policy Analyst for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). CFIB is Canada’s largest association of small and mediumsized businesses with 97,000 members (4,500 agribusiness 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. Businesses, available on the CFIB website in both English and French.

SeoRhin Yoo

Remco and The Yes Group Protecting

Remco products are colour-coded to help divide the production cycle into different zones. By identifying these zones as different cleaning areas, the movement of bacteria around the production area can be blocked.

Our products were developed with the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) in mind.

No matter what colour-coding plan is implemented, Remco Products from The Yes Group provides significant added value at no additional cost. From scoops to squeegees, from brushes to shovels, we have the products and the colours to enhance any professional quality assurance program.