The shortage of specialized hog barn contractors and a shortage of labour for those contractors could create challenges as Ontario’s swine sector works its way toward compliance with planned loose-housing requirements for sows. So far, these factors haven’t slowed a boom in hog barn construction, a trend that could continue at least in the short […] Read more
Tag Archives COVID-19 — page 13
Labour shortage a challenge for hog barn construction
Rebounding market and loose sow deadline push building boom
CNH to temporarily shut several plants in Europe
Eight-day shutdown due to supply disruptions
Reuters — Italian-American vehicle maker CNH Industrial said Wednesday it will temporarily shut several of its European agricultural, commercial vehicle and powertrain manufacturing facilities due to the disruptions of procurement of components, including semiconductors. The maker of farm machinery, Iveco commercial vehicles, construction equipment and powertrains plans to shut the concerned plants for eight working […] Read more
White House heeded pressure to reopen Canada border, U.S. lawmaker says
Washington | Reuters — A U.S. congressman from New York said on Wednesday that political pressure had persuaded the White House to end a historic 19-month closure of its land borders with Canada and Mexico to millions of non-essential foreign visitors. Representative Brian Higgins, a Democrat representing a district along the Canadian border, said: “You […] Read more
‘Containergeddon’: Supply crisis drives Walmart, rivals to hire own ships
Bulk grain ships pressed into container service
Los Angeles | Reuters — The Flying Buttress once glided across the oceans carrying vital commodities such as grain to all corners of the world. Now it bears a different treasure: Paw Patrol Movie Towers, Batmobile Transformers and Baby Alive Lulu Achoo dolls. The dry bulk cargo ship has been drafted into the service of […] Read more
British milk sours amid labour crisis
London | Reuters — Some British dairy farmers have been forced to destroy tens of thousands of litres of milk due to rising costs, labour shortages and an acute deficit of truck drivers which has strained supply chains to breaking point, farmers said. A post-Brexit shortage of workers, exacerbated by the global strains of the […] Read more
Britain facing mass cull of pigs due to butcher shortage
London | Reuters — Britain’s farming industry has warned that hundreds of thousands of pigs may have to be culled within weeks unless the government issues visas to allow more butchers into the country. An acute shortage of butchers and slaughterers in the meat processing industry has been exacerbated by COVID-19 and Britain’s post-Brexit immigration […] Read more
Canada’s CPPIB to buy major U.S. port terminal operator
Canada Pension Plan's play furthers its infrastructure push
Reuters — Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) said on Wednesday it had agreed to buy Ports America, one of the largest marine terminal operators in the U.S., from investment firm Oaktree Capital Management. While no valuation was given in the announcement, the deal values Ports America at over US$4 billion, according to two sources […] Read more
Scotlynn SweetPac Growers and owner charged with 20 workplace violations
This is the first time charges related to a COVID-19 outbreak have been laid
Scotlynn SweetPac Growers Inc. and owner Scott Biddle face charges following Ontario’s Ministry of Labour investigation. The Ontario Ministry of Labour laid 20 charges against the company and Biddle relating to a COVID-19 outbreak in May 2020 where 199 workers tested positive for COVID-19 and Juan Lopez Chaparro, a 55-year-old father of four, died. In […] Read more
PHOTOS: Rodeo barrels back in use
With his trademark smile, showman Ross Millar engaged the capacity crowd at the Orangeville Rodeo grounds on Aug 29. “Welcome back, Orangeville. We missed you!” The response was deafening with hands clapping, feet stomping and piercing whistles competing against hollers and ‘yee haws.’ “It really didn’t feel like we missed a day,” said Millar. Rodeos […] Read more
CBOT oats climb on supply woes
Prairie drought eats at availability
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade December oats futures climbed their daily maximum of 25 cents per bushel on Wednesday, nearing a 7-1/2 hear high, after drought slashed supplies from top global supplier Canada at a time of robust demand for the grain, traders said. The December oats contract surged 25 cents to […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
