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The Meat Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2024-2025 scholarship awards. Twenty-two high-performing undergraduate and graduate students received a total of $110,000 to pursue degrees in animal, meat and food sciences at their respective universities.
"We are incredibly proud of this year’s scholarship recipients," said KatieRose McCullough, Chief Scientist of the Foundation. “We are thrilled to support their efforts to learn about our industry and cultivate future leaders, in the meat industry.”
The 12 undergraduate and 10 graduate scholarships recipients, selected from a competitive field of applicants, are as follows:
UNDERGRADUATE
BARRY CARPENTER SCHOLARSHIP
Ryan Heitschmidt, West Texas A&M University, Animal Science.
ROSEMARY MUCKLOW SCHOLARSHIP
Blake Robbins, Oklahoma State University, Food Science.
AL PICCETTI SCHOLARSHIP
Hayden Lott, Kansas State University, Animal Science.
MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
Helene Keiser, West Texas A&M University, Animal Science.
Lauren Thompson, Kansas State University, Animal Science and Industry, Global Foods Systems Leadership.
Ashley Rivera, University of Arkansas, Animal Science.
Reagan Rippey, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Animal Science
Clara Bates, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Animal Science.
Lane Golla, West Texas A&M University, Animal Science.
Stevie Thate, Colorado State University, Animal Science.
GRADUATE
RON GUSTAFSON SCHOLARSHIP
Megan Eckhardt, West Texas A&M University, Agriculture and Meat Science.
JOHN DUYN SCHOLARSHIP
Michael Starnes, Texas Tech University, Food Science.
FLORENCE SMITH POWERS SCHOLARSHIP
Amrit Pal, University of Georgia, Food Science and Technology.
FRANK DEBENEDETTI SCHOLARSHIP
Arshdeep Singh, University of Missouri, Food Science.
MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
Clint Lee, University of Georgia, Animal Science with Meat Science Focus.
Colton Smith, Colorado State University, Animal Sciences.
Conor McCabe, University of California, Davis, Animal Biology. Nicholas Gallina, Purdue University, Microbiology/Immunology
Stephanie Witberler, Kansas State University, Animal Sciences and Industry. Yureni Carvajal, Iowa State University, Meat Science.
For information on each of the scholarships, visit http://meatscholars.org/.
USDA ANNOUNCES $35 MILLION IN MEAT AND POULTRY PROCESSING GRANTS
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the USDA is awarding more than $35 million in grants to 15 independent meat processors in 12 states to increase processing capacity, spur competition to expand market opportunities for U.S. farmers and create jobs in rural areas.
This marks the final investment in the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP), funded by the administration’s American Rescue Plan, which was first launched in 2022.
The investments also advance the President’s Investing in America agenda and support the Administration’s Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain, which dedicates resources to expand independent processing capacity.
“For the past four years, the Biden-Harris Administration has advanced a sustainable vision of agriculture that prioritizes the needs of the hardworking producers and small business owners who keep rural communities strong,” Secretary Vilsack said. “Through investments like these, USDA is working to give farmers and ranchers a fair chance to compete in the marketplace, which will increase local food options and lower grocery costs for American families.”
Since the beginning of the program, USDA has provided 74 awards totaling more than $325 million through MPPEP to expand processing capacity and strengthen the food supply chain.
Many projects are still in development and have already increased the processing capacity at these facilities by more than 800,000 cattle, 14,000 hogs, 23 million chickens and 5 million turkeys annually. Additionally, these projects are serving almost 900 additional meat and poultry producers and have created more than 1,200 new jobs.
As part of the announcement, the funding will help build new processing plants, create hundreds of jobs, give local producers and entrepreneurs better business opportunities, and give consumers more options at the grocery store. For example:
• America’s Heartland Packing is receiving a $10 million grant to build a large beef processing plant outside of St. Louis, Missouri. The plant will be LEED certified and will supply beef to domestic and international wholesalers, retailers, pet food companies and food manufacturers.
• Mark’s Custom Meats in Pennsylvania is receiving a $750,000 grant to double the size of their current meat processing facility, serving an additional 15 producers and creating four new full-time jobs.
• Damian's Craft Meats is a Latinx-owned processor and is using a $4 million grant to build a new facility in southeastern Michigan to serve local cattle, hog, goat, and lamb producers. Damian's will offer fee-for-service processing and will also purchase animals from local producers through competitive and transparent pricing.
The awards will benefit people living in Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York and Pennsylvania.
DELIVERING ON FAIR, COMPETITIVE, AND TRANSPARENT MARKETS
MPPEP is one of many actions that USDA is taking to expand processing capacity, create more revenue streams and market opportunities for producers, and improve the competitive landscape in food and agricultural markets. Under President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in America’s Economy and as set out in our competition report, USDA has led a whole-of-USDA approach and partaken in a wholeof-government initiative to improve the competitive landscape in food and agricultural markets.
Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested over $1.4 billion to support new or expanded small-sized and medium-sized processing facilities and to create a more resilient, diverse and secure U.S. food supply chain. Additional information on all these programs is available at www.usda.gov/ meat. In addition, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has been holding small plant roundtables to assist small businesses with federal regulations. Between 2023 and 2024, 11 roundtables were held to provide an opportunity for communication and to help small plant owners and operations be successful.
In the last three and a half years, USDA has put forth a suite of critical new rules under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 to promote transparency in contracting and tournaments; address unfairness and deception in broiler grower payments; poultry grower ranking systems and capital improvement systems; prohibit discrimination, retaliation, and deception in a range of circumstances; and provide better clarity around unfair practices and competitive injury. With two final rules, two more proposed rules and more on the way, USDA is reinvigorating the century-old fair and competitive market laws to empower producers and growers.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas.
For more information, visit www.usda.gov.
U.S. PORT WORKERS REACH DEAL TO SUSPEND STRIKE TO ALLOW TIME FOR NEGOTIATION
The union representing 45,000 striking U.S. dockworkers at East and Gulf coast ports has reached a deal to suspend a three-day strike until January 15, 2025 to provide time to negotiate a new contract.
The International Longshoremen’s Association resumed working immediately. The union and the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies, also reached a tentative agreement on wage increases, but no details were given, according to a joint statement from the ports and the union.
A person briefed on the agreement said the ports raised their wage offer from about 50% over six years to 62%. The person didn't want to be identified because the agreement is tentative. Any wage increase would have to be approved by union members as part of the ratification of a final contract.
In a statement welcoming the news, U.S. President Joe Biden said, "today's tentative agreement on a record wage and an extension of the collective bargaining process represents critical progress towards a strong contract."
AUTOMATION AND WAGES AT STAKE FOR WORKERS IN STRIKE
The union went on strike October 1 after its contract expired in a dispute over pay and the automation of tasks at 36 ports stretching from Maine to Texas. The strike came at the peak of the holiday shopping season at the ports, which handle about half the cargo from ships coming into and out of the United States.
The walkout raised the risk of shortages of goods on store shelves if it lasted more than a few weeks. Most retailers, though, had stocked up or shipped items early in anticipation of the dockworkers' strike.
The union's membership won't need to vote on the temporary suspension of the strike.
Until January 15, the workers will be covered under the old contract, which expired on September 30.
The union has been demanding a complete ban on the use of automation at the ports, which they see as a threat to their jobs.
Both sides also have been apart on the issues of pension contributions and the distribution of royalties paid on containers that are moved by workers.
Just before the strike had begun, the Maritime Alliance said both sides had moved off their original wage offers, a tentative sign of progress.
GLENGARRY FARM FINANCE PARTNERS WITH FARM CREDIT CANADA
Glengarry Farm Finance Corporation (Glengarry) has announced an investment from Farm Credit Canada (FCC) that will allow it to provide farmers with a more accessible source of financing.
Founded by a group of farm credit specialists, farmers and finance industry professionals, Glengarry is a wholly Canadian alternative lender in the agricultural market focused on providing flexible financing solutions for primary producers in Western Canada and Ontario.
Glengarry primarily works with farmers who, due to temporary credit issues, cannot secure loans through primary institutions. The company acts as a “transitional lender,” providing farmers with the financial backing they need to eventually become bankable.
FCC has committed up to $60 million, which significantly increases Glengarry’s capacity to support this underserved transitional lending market.
“FCC is committed to supporting Canada’s agriculture and food industry and that includes responsibly expanding capital solutions in underserved areas, said Darren Baccus, executive vice-president, investment, FCC Capital. “Glengarry serves a segment of the market that complements our current capital solutions. With the right support, qualified primary producers have the potential to continue to contribute to the resiliency, diversity and innovation of Canadian agriculture despite temporary financial disruptions in their operations.”
ABOUT FARM CREDIT CANADA:
NSF INTERNATIONAL FOCUSES ON CANADIAN FOOD INDUSTRY WITH NEW WEBSITE FOR SERVICES IN CANADA
FCC is proud to be 100 per cent invested in Canadian agriculture and food. The organization’s employees are committed to the long-standing success of those who produce and process Canadian food. FCC provides flexible financing and capital solutions, while creating value through data, knowledge, relationships and expertise. FCC offers a complement of financial and non-financial products and services designed to support the complex and evolving needs of the industry. For more information, visit fcc.ca.
Global public health organization showcases services for Canada’s growing and fast-changing food industry
NSF International in Canada recently launched a new website - www.nsfcanada.ca - to give Canada’s growing and complex food and beverage industry easy access 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.
“We have an unshakeable belief in the farming community. That’s why we want to modernize farm financing and make it more accessible. We understand agriculture is an unpredictable business, and many determinants of success are well beyond a farmer’s control,” says Glengarry CEO Greg Kalil. “This new partnership with FCC puts us in the unique position of being able to offer a more comprehensive set of financing solutions to give farmers the support they need to work their way back to bankability.”
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.
NSF International’s Canadian website provides information on the following services:
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 brand protection and customer confidence. Certifications and audits are available for animal and produce in the agriculture industry, GFSI certification and management system registration.
ABOUT GLENGARRY FARM FINANCE:
Glengarry Farm Finance is an alternative institutional lender in the agricultural market in Canada providing flexible financing solutions to the farming community. Glengarry has extensive experience helping Canadian farmers navigate their way back into traditional banking. This has driven significant growth in its loan portfolio, which is expected to continue in the years to come. To learn more, please visit glengarry.ca.
Consulting: A full-service team approach providing technical resources, expertise and insight for a wide range of food safety and quality services. NSF International provides finished product inspection testing for food, packaging and non-food testing for rapid analysis and insight to protect the brand, technical support services from on-site temporary or permanent technical staffing placements, and various types of consulting.
Technical services: A one-stop solution for food product compliance and formulation, from concept to finished product, including food and label compliance, packaging, product and process development, and shelf-life and product evaluation.
Training and education: Training for the global food and beverage industry across the supply chain as an
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, 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, submit a question or read an FAQ.
https://www.yesgroup.ca
USDA INVESTS $466.5 MILLION IN FOOD ASSISTANCE, AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WORLDWIDE
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide $466.5 million to strengthen global food security through its two premier international development programs, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced at the recent Clinton Global Initiative 2024 annual meeting.
For the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, USDA is allocating $248 million in fiscal year 2024 funds to support projects in nine countries that will provide critical school meals and boost literacy and primary education, especially for girls. Through Food for Progress, USDA will provide $218.5 million to help seven countries strengthen their agricultural systems, adopt climate smart technologies, sustainably increase productivity and expand international trade.
“The McGovern-Dole and Food for Progress programs are the embodiment of USDA’s multi-faceted approach to combatting hunger and poverty and addressing the effects of the climate crisis worldwide,” Vilsack said. “Teaming up with both private- and publicsector partners, we’re not only providing direct food assistance, but also fostering sustainable agricultural productivity growth, promoting climate-smart agriculture and enhancing developing countries’ ability to engage in trade, which is critical to food security.”
Under both programs, USDA purchases U.S.-grown commodities and provides them to implementing organizations, including the United Nations World Food Program. Food for Progress implementing partners sell the commodities locally and use the proceeds to support local development projects. McGovern-Dole partners use the commodities directly in school feeding programs. Of this year’s $248 million McGovern-Dole allocation, $24 million will be used to support local and regional procurement of commodities to supplement the donated U.S. commodities, consistent with the provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill.
Through the McGovern-Dole Program, the United States is the largest donor to global school feeding programs. This year, USDA will provide more than 37,000 metric tons of U.S. commodities to support projects in Angola, Bangladesh, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Laos, Malawi and Rwanda, benefitting approximately 1.2 million children and their family members in more than 2,800 pre-primary and primary schools.
The Food for Progress projects funded this year will utilize 315,000 metric tons of U.S. commodities and ultimately benefit nearly 200,000 farmers in Benin, Cambodia, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Tunisia and will focus on priority topics including climate-smart agriculture, food security, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, access to capital and trade facilitation.
More information about USDA’s international food assistance and development programs can be found at https://fas.usda. gov/topics/food-security.
https://www.beaconmetals.com
PEI CATTLE PRODUCERS EXPLORING WAYS TO BUCK BEEF HERD DECLINE
By Nancy Russell, CBC
PEI Cattle Producers Exploring Ways to Buck Beef Herd Decline
Canada's cattle herd is shrinking, according to the latest numbers from Statistics Canada, but beef producers in Prince Edward Island are exploring ways to turn that trend around.
There is a new pilot project in the Maritimes offering price insurance to cattle producers. Meanwhile, the P.E.I. government has a livestock strategy that it says is beginning to make a difference.
"It puts more pressure on the beef industry because we need land to grow those crops. And then the beef industry kind of takes a back seat."
The new figures from Statistics Canada show that the number of cattle in the country has dwindled to the lowest level since 1987.
Dennis Hogan has been in the beef industry for four decades and has about 200 head of cattle on his farm in Cumberland. He's also chair of the P.E.I. Cattle Producers Association.
He said margins have been tight in recent years because the price of beef has increased to producers, but so have their costs.
The Canadian cattle herd fell 1.4% from last year on July 1, to 11.9 million head. Beef cattle took an even harder hit, dropping 2.2%.
It's the third year in a row the federal agency has recorded a decline in cattle numbers.
Hogan said P.E.I.'s beef and potato industries used to be closely linked. But potato growers have moved toward
Continued on page 16
It certainly put more pressure on trying to find available cattle feed. And then the price of feed went up in the last few years with strong exports," he said. "So that's playing a role in the decline of the cattle numbers."
He said it's important to attract new people into the beef industry, especially as the average age of farmers increases.
"Like any industry, it's [expensive] to get into it. It takes some capital for sure," Hogan said. "To get those people who are interested to get the money they need, to back them, would certainly be a big bonus."
Hogan said the new Maritime-wide price insurance pilot may also help. The program offers protection against an unexpected drop in cattle prices over a defined period of time.
"If you bought an animal today, it takes one to two years to see your return on that investment. You don't know where the market is going to be in that time frame," he said.
"We're at a high point now, but maybe by the time you were going to sell those animals it's at a low point, and the price insurance would help take some of that risk away."
OFF-ISLAND COMPETITION
Allan Larsen, a fourth-generation beef and potato farmer in Cape Traverse, feeds about 600 head of beef cattle and grows 400 acres of table stock potatoes. He said that combination helps him navigate some of the challenges in the cattle industry.
"We have a pretty good land mass, and we're able to grow all the feed we need to feed our cattle in rotation with our potatoes," Larsen said.
Larsen struggles to compete with farmers from other parts of the country who come to the Island to buy feeder cattle, and in turn drive up prices for local producers who want to add to their herd.
P.E.I. producers are also paid less for their finished product than their competitors in Ontario and Quebec, he said.
"In order for us to buy those same cattle, we have to be on par with the price they're paying and driving the price of feeder cattle up," Larsen said.
"There needs to be a way for feed lots and farmers that are finishing cattle to be more competitive with other regions in Canada."
Les Halliday, beef development officer for the P.E.I. Department of Agriculture, said he is seeing some positive signs in the industry.
"P.E.I. is in the enviable position and that we do have lots of feed. We've had two years of good crop growth. So our hay and silage inventory is is very high," Halliday said.
"We've been working hard with farmers to improve grazing management practices, crop yield, and then it comes back to manure," Halliday said.
"If we can get more and manure back into the land to improve soil health, then we get more productivity from our crops.... So you don't have to rent as much land and you don't have to own as much land."
NEW SURREY SLAUGHTERHOUSE ‘WOULD OPEN DOOR’ TO NEW BEEF MARKETS
Halliday said the strategies appear to be paying off.
"We are starting to see an increase now. Our StatsCan numbers show a slight increase in beef cow numbers," he said.
"Farmers are telling me that they're keeping a few more heifers this year. Those heifers will come into the herd next year, and over the next two or three years we should start to see an increase."
Proposed 30,000-square-foot beef abattoir in Cloverdale would be B.C.’s largest such facility
"That kind of makes a farmer feel that [they] ... can feed a few more cattle. So we've started to see ... that our cattle numbers are just starting to level out again."
By Amy Reid, Peace Arch News
A federally licensed beef processing facility is in the works in Surrey, BC.
“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.”
Halliday said there is work being done on feed efficiency to make raising cattle more cost-effective. There are also breeding programs to produce animals that will achieve the same growth from less feed.
Agricultural Land Reserve at 5175 184th St. The planned 30,000-square foot abattoir in Cloverdale would process up
CHICKEN FARMERS OF ONTARIO AND MAPLE LEAF FOODS INC. TO PROVIDE CHICKEN TO FOOD BANKS
Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) and Maple Leaf Foods Inc., one of Canada's leading producers of valueadded prepared meats and poultry products, formally announced their partnership to provide Ontario's food banks with a steady supply of healthy, high quality, locally-grown chicken.
The partnership includes Feed Ontario, the province's largest collective of hunger-relief organizations. Rob Flack, Ontario's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness and MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London, joined the announcement, which took place at the London Food Bank. Also present were representatives from Maple Leaf Foods, food bank staff and volunteers, and local chicken farmers.
"Feed Ontario relies on the generosity of food producers in Ontario and we are grateful for Chicken Farmers of Ontario and Maple Leaf Foods commitment to ensuring everyone in Ontario has access to healthy and nutritious food, especially during this unprecedented time of need. This important partnership will make a significant impact on our ability to ensure that high protein chicken is available to all food banks in our network that are serving communities in every corner of our province”, stated Carolyn Stewart, Chief Executive Officer, Feed Ontario.
The partnership will support the CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks Program, a program that enables Ontario chicken farmers to donate their chicken to food banks across Ontario.
The CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks Program was launched in 2015, in partnership with Feed Ontario, an organization that unites food banks, industry partners, and local communities in efforts to end poverty and hunger across Ontario. The CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks Program, at its core, helps to ensure Ontario food banks can access high quality protein, like chicken, which is in high demand. CFO's family-run farms are each eligible to donate up to 300 birds per year, through the CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks Program. Ontario's world-class chicken farmers have donated at least 1 million meals annually since the inception of the program.
Andrea Veldhuizen, 1st Vice-Chair & Board Director for CFO Cares, Chicken Farmers of Ontario, said, "The CFO Cares program is persistently focused on getting chicken to food banks to support our local communities. This has been accomplished through a longstanding partnership with Feed Ontario, and now Maple Leaf Food Inc. Together we are ready to keep the food bank chicken protein supply chain strong."
These significant donations are made possible in part by Feed Ontario, which provides logistical and administrative support, and Maple Leaf Foods, which processes and tray- packs the Ontario-grown chicken. The tray-packed chicken is distributed throughout the Feed Ontario distribution network, allowing for food bank volunteers to spend less valuable time repackaging chicken and allowing for more food banks with capacity constraints, including smaller food banks, to participate in the CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks Program.
"Through the CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks Program, Ontario's chicken farmers donate chicken contributing to over 1 million meals, each year”, said Murray Opsteen, Chair, Chicken Farmers of Ontario. With Ontario food banks experiencing increased pressure, we are pleased to be formally announcing a partnership with Maple Leaf Foods Inc., ensuring that Ontario food banks are continually able to access a steady supply of healthy, high quality, locally-grown chicken."
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.
CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks donors are eligible for a tax credit of 25 per cent of the fair market value of their donated chicken through the Government of Ontario's Community food program donation tax credit.
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?
Food bank use remains at an all-time high, 2024 marks the eighth consecutive year of food bank use increases with more than 1 million Ontarians relying on a food bank, a 25 per cent increase over 2023 and nearly double that of four years ago. With now 1 in 16 Ontarians relying on a food bank, Ontario chicken farmers and Maple Leaf Foods are continuing to step-up to provide high quality proteins to people in need with this recently announced partnership.
"Food insecurity is a crisis in Ontario. In addition to our work to address the root causes of food insecurity, it is important to meet the immediate needs of people for nutritious, high quality foods. With the support of our London poultry facility, we are proud to be part of this cross-sector partnership,” stated Sarah Stern, Director Community Involvement, Maple Leaf Foods Inc. & Executive Director, Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security.
For more information, visit https://www. ontariochicken.ca/en/
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 nominated next year. And I have to give the Canadian Cattleman’s Association recognition for choosing a farm from Prince Edward Island. We are small players in the national beef industry and I think it was a real credit to their organization to recognize us. They treated all the nominees royally and it was a real class act. It was a wonderful experience. https://www.yesgroiup.ca
meatbusiness.ca
2ND CHINA INTERNATIONAL SUPPLY CHAIN EXPO (CISCE)
The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) has announced that it will be hosting the 2nd China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) from November 26-30, 2024 at the China International Exhibition Centre, Shunyi in Beijing, China
This cornerstone event is set against the backdrop of rapid technological advancements and significant shifts in the global economic landscape. Amidst the challenges faced by global industrial and supply chains, the imperative for strengthened cooperation has never been clearer.
Last year's inaugural CISCE in Beijing, hosted by the CCPIT marked a pioneering effort to unite the entire supply chain ecosystem, from upstream to downstream. Themed "Connect the World for a Shared Future," the expo not only facilitated vital connections but also showcased the comprehensive supply chain, emphasizing collaboration over competition.
The event attracted over 100 executives from Fortune Global 500 companies, reinforcing its timing and effectiveness as a platform for enhancing supply chain structures, reducing costs, and improving efficiency. With high-level participation, including a keynote from Chinese Premier Li Qiang and global leaders, the expo set a new standard in fostering international supply chain partnerships.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE 1ST CISCE:
• High standards and influential presence, underscored by participation from global and Chinese leaders.
• Strong exhibitor and visitor engagement, with 515 exhibitors from 55 countries and regions, including major Fortune 500 companies.
• Fruitful expo activities, including six forums on hot topics, attracting significant business and organizational leadership insights.
• Extensive coverage and publicity, with over 25,000 daily news items on the internet and significant international media attention.
• Over 150,000 visitors, including 80,000 professional buyers, and 110 delegations organized by ministries and local governments.
Looking ahead, the 2nd CISCE promises to continue its focus on essential industry chains and service areas including Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Smart Vehicles, Digital Technology, Healthy Life, and Green Agriculture and Supply Chain Services, supplemented by special forums and activities.
The CISCE offers a premier platform for networking with Fortune 500 leaders, specialized firms, and emerging champions. It's an invaluable opportunity for overseas enterprises to engage with the Chinese market, for organizations to align policies with market needs, and for industry associations to foster international exchanges.
This event is open to all entrepreneurs and associations to explore technological advancements, optimize supply chains, and forge new partnerships. The CISCE is committed to providing an exceptional experience, emphasizing internationalization, specialization, and sustainability.
visit Home China International Supply Chain Expo (cisce. org.cn)
GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES FUNDING TO IMPROVE ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE
At the recent 2024 Animal Health Canada Forum, the Canadian government announced up to $13,343,409 over five years to Animal Health Canada (AHC) for three projects through the AgriAssurance Program – National Industry Association component, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
This investment aims to enhance animal health and welfare, while safeguarding Canadians, through improvements to disease surveillance, emergency management, and animal care standards.
“Healthy animals mean healthy communities. This investment in disease monitoring, emergency planning, and quality animal care shows our commitment to animal welfare and management, and to the well-being of Canadians. With Animal Health Canada's help, we’re ensuring our farms are resilient and our food remains safe and trusted here in Canada, and around the world,” stated Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
AHC will receive up to $3,534,174 to expand its animal health surveillance networks and shift the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System to a One Health approach. AHC aims to minimize the economic, health, and welfare impacts of potential disease outbreaks in Canadian livestock by improving disease surveillance and information sharing.
AHC will also receive up to $5,000,000 for a second project aimed at improving emergency management practices. Project activities include developing comprehensive emergency plans, training industry staff and producers across Canada, conducting educational workshops, and testing industry preparedness.
Finally, AHC will receive up to $4,809,235 to update, amend, and review several Codes of Practice. These Codes are nationally developed guidelines for the care and handling of animals, which help guarantee high standards of animal welfare. AHC will also ensure awareness of the changes to the Codes throughout the sector.
Colleen McElwain, Executive Director, Animal Health Canada, said, “This funding strengthens our ability to work with our members and partners to enhance foreign animal disease planning and preparedness, promote sustainable approaches for animal welfare, and improve our disease surveillance capabilities. Through collaboration and innovation, we are building a more resilient and responsive industry that can meet both current and future challenges.” Animal health and disease management are a priority for the Government of Canada. These efforts aim to strengthen sector resilience, confirm Canada’s high standards of animal care, and ensure the health and safety of Canadians.
QUICK FACTS
* A One Health system is an approach to disease management and prevention that recognizes the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health. It promotes collaboration across multiple sectors and disciplines to ensure the well-being of all.
* The Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System is a distinct division of AHC that is dedicated to promoting a coordinated, national surveillance system through partner engagement and information sharing.
* Updates to the Codes of Practice will be made through the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC), a distinct division of AHC.
* Enhanced emergency management practices aim to build sector resilience and protect Canada’s agricultural resources through comprehensive planning and training.
* AHC previously received over $6 million in funding under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
* Animal Health Canada (AHC) is a national organization that brings together industry, federal, provincial, and territorial partners to provide guidance on a cohesive, functional, and responsive farmed animal health and welfare system in Canada.
* The AgriAssurance Program – National Industry Association Component, under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, provides funding for national-level projects to help industry develop, verify, and integrate assurance systems to address market and regulatory requirements and to enable industry to make credible, meaningful, and verifiable claims about the health, safety, and quality of Canadian agriculture products.
* The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a $3.5-billion, 5-year agreement (April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2028), between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based products sector. For more information, visit https://www.cisce.org.cn/
SUPPORTING LOCAL DURING SMALL BUSINESS MONTH
Our communities are built on the success of local businesses. They are the backbone of our local economies. That’s why every October the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) celebrates Small Business Month by shining a spotlight on the entrepreneurial spirit and the people who take the risks to keep our communities thriving.
Small businesses, including small farms, make a BIG impact: from providing local jobs, to sponsoring community initiatives, to donating time and goods to local fundraisers.
According to CFIB’s report, Small Business, Big Impact: Small Retailers’ Local Contributions, when a consumer makes a purchase from a small local business, 66 cents of every dollar stays within the local provincial economy. On the other hand, multinational companies with physical locations in Canada recirculate only 11 cents of every dollar into local economies, and only 8 cents stays local when Canadians buy from online giants.
The research found that consumers mistakenly believe that small independent retailers and large multinational retailers recirculate almost the same share of their revenues locally, at 38% and 37%, respectively, and that major online retailers recirculate 19% of every dollar. CFIB’s #SmallBusinessEveryDay campaign raises awareness of the true impact of shopping small on our communities.
Almost every consumer (92%) says they value small businesses and their local contributions. Yet consumers’ actual shopping habits do not reflect their sentiments, as 87% of consumers spend more at big businesses than at independent retailers. If we want to boost our lagging productivity, create more jobs, and keep our local economies vibrant, we need to do more to support small businesses and rally Canadian consumers to shop locally.
We encourage all small agri-businesses to participate in CFIB’s #SmallBusinessEveryDay campaign to promote local shopping this Small Business Month. Businesses can get involved by encouraging their customers to enter the Big Thank You Contest. This contest encourages support for independent businesses by inviting Canadians to send thank-you messages to their favourite small businesses. Every week from October 1 to October 28 an entrant can win $750 cash and a Big Thank You Box full of small business products from across Canada. Every week from October 1 to October 28 an entrant can win $750 cash and a Big Thank You Box full of small business products from across Canada. The winning business that was thanked also receives a $2,000 cash prize, a one-year CFIB membership, and a Big Thank You box.
Businesses can also download CFIB’s digital toolkits, which include printable posters and customizable social images to promote the contest and the importance of keeping loonies local.
Beyond Small Business Month, there are some strategies that small agri-businesses can consider adopting to increase retention of existing customers, gain new ones, and further establish their local presence. For example, they can attend farmers’ markets, host on-farm events, and participate in community-supported agriculture programs.
Where possible, businesses can provide incentives for customers, such as exclusive discounts, referral programs, and loyalty programs with special rewards for repeat customers. They can also collaborate with other local businesses by participating in community events, through sponsorships and partnerships, or by sourcing the goods and services they need locally.
We all stand to gain from our local small businesses’ success. We encourage everyone to take advantage of Small Business Month to celebrate the small businesses that power our communities and shine a spotlight on the impact of local shopping.
Juliette Nicolaÿ is a Bilingual Policy Analyst for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). CFIB is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 97,000 members (4,900 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.
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Remco and The Yes Group Protecting
your Customers
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.
