The Risk Management Program (RMP) is getting a $100 million boost over three years from the Ontario government. “Our government promised farmers we would continue to expand and enhance RMP, and with this historic investment, we have delivered,” said Rob Flack, minister of Agriculture Food and Agribusiness at VanQuaethem Farms Ltd. in Eden, Ont., January […] Read more
Tag Archives veal
Ontario pledges $100 million increase to Risk Management Program
Farm groups have been calling for the increase as they considered the program underfunded
Ontario extends deadline to lock in RMP coverage
Final date to secure coverage moved to June 30
Grain and oilseed growers and cattle, hog, sheep and veal producers in Ontario now get until June 30 this year to secure coverage under that province’s Risk Management Program (RMP). The province on May 29 announced the deadlines for grain and oilseed producers to submit their completed RMP applications and make any coverage changes — […] Read more
Licence fees on veal now apply at sales barn
Sellers of veal through sales barns will now have to pay licence fees to Veal Farmers of Ontario. Veal Farmers of Ontario recently announced amendments to regulations that came into effect Jan. 1 that update the definitions of veal cattle and include the collection of licence fees on veal cattle sold in sales barns. VFO […] Read more
VFO takes ‘next step’ by hiring compliance officer
Former police officer will target non-payment of veal checkoff fee
Former police officer will target non-payment of veal checkoff fee
Veal Farmers of Ontario (VFO) has hired a veteran of both municipal policing and border services for a newly-created position of inspection and compliance officer. The organization is acting on a recommendation to bring in expertise in auditing and compliance. Geoff Holwell will join the producer organization on a part-time basis, with his primary responsibilities […] Read more
Heavier weight limit now in effect for Canadian veal
Top processor says enforcement will be strict and farmers shouldn’t ship heavier animals
Despite recent changes that allow veal carcasses to weigh 10 kilograms more than previously, producers were recently advised not to set the heaviest limit as the goal for all calves. During a morning session at the Veal Farmers of Ontario annual general meeting, the organization’s executive director Jennifer Haley impressed upon producers the importance of […] Read more
Contest celebrating veal postponed due to COVID-19
Not all Best Veal Sandwich hopefuls were made with veal in past years
Veal Farmers of Ontario’s contest celebrating great veal sandwiches has helped promote veal, but it has also revealed the level of non-veal meat passed off as veal. The organization has cancelled this year’s Ontario’s Best Veal Sandwich due to the closure of most restaurants in the province due to COVID-19. Before the organization had to […] Read more
Veal farmers join national check-off agency
Fees were already being collected, but now Ontario farmers have more say in spending
Veal Farmers of Ontario (VFO) is now part of the Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency (CBCA), following an agreement that included a voting role on a subcommittee charged with promotion. The western Canada-based chair and general manager of the agency were on hand at VFO’s recent annual general meeting to usher in the arrangement. A federally […] Read more
U.S. meat industry sues California for animal protection ‘overreach’
Reuters — California was sued on Friday by the largest U.S. trade group for meat packers and processors, which wants to block enforcement of a voter-approved measure requiring farmers to provide more space for animals being raised for food. The North American Meat Institute, whose members include processors such as Tyson Foods and retailers including […] Read more
Major veal processor launches new brand, non-GMO label
Quebec veal, lamb and beef processor Delimax-Montpak is set to launch a new consumer brand across Canada featuring what it bills as the only GMO-free milk-fed veal on the market. The company said Tuesday it expected to have the new brand — Fontaine Family, named for the company’s founding family — available via “most major […] Read more
Producers reluctant to sign on with verified veal program
Lack of Ontario-based federal processing capacity cited as factor limiting adoption of the program
Veal producers in Ontario are looking on as their counterparts in Quebec see gains in access to both domestic and international markets while their own ability to supply Ontario-raised meat to Ontario consumers continues to be hampered. “I agree, it is always nice to see a local product on a local shelf,” said Auburn-area producer […] Read more
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