Food inflation in 2014 tied to lower meat supply and exchange rate Thursday, January 16, 2014 by MATT MCINTOSH Retail food prices will continue to rise marginally in 2014 thanks to a fluctuating exchange rate and a lower supply of meat products, says a report released by the George Morris Centre. In their January report, the George Morris Centre – an independent research institute that studies Canada’s agri-food sector – predicts that food prices will see an inflation rate “at or below the overall rate of inflation,” hovering at less than one per cent in 2014. The report says that high demand and a lower supply of pork and beef means meat prices will continue to press upwards. Similarly, the Canadian dollar has been falling in value against the American dollar over the past year, which they say might trigger higher domestic prices this year. Despite the meat supply and exchange rate, however, the report says inflation should be low thanks to higher retail competition, and more stable food-processing costs. A slower overall economy and “lukewarm consumer confidence” may also be suppressing inflation rates. “What goes on at the retail end is of course very important to producers,” says Kevin Grier, senior market analyst at the George Morris Centre, and one of the report’s authors. “However, the predicted inflation rate likely won’t affect farmers as much as retailers. Month to month fluctuations in food prices have more to do with market competition.” The full report is available from the George Morris Centre’s website. BF New appointment on Farm Products Marketing Commission Ontario Livestock Dealers Association introduces new traceability program
Ontario Apple Growers name new Chair Monday, January 6, 2025 Chris Hedges of Vanessa, Ontario, has been elected as the new Chair of the Ontario Apple Growers (OAG). After completing a year as the organization’s Vice Chair, Hedges () takes over from outgoing Chair Brian Rideout of Blenheim, Ontario, who has led the OAG since December 2023. Past OAG... Read this article online
A Whole Lotta Innovation Tuesday, December 31, 2024 A good holiday read is hard to find. Although admittedly not very festive, we’ve got something for you: the Winter 2024 Farms.com Precision Ag Digital Digest. Coming December 28, this issue wraps up 2024 with a whole lotta innovation and a whole lotta love from our team (do you... Read this article online
Tools and Equipment for Livestock Farmers Monday, December 30, 2024 The holidays have come and gone; did you get everything you wished for during the holidays? The Farms.com team thought we would share some tools and equipment that farmers wish they had to help them out on the farm. Whether you are tending to beef or dairy cows, sheep, goats, poultry... Read this article online
Take a virtual reality tour of Ontario’s egg and sheep farms Saturday, December 21, 2024 Canadians now have the opportunity to explore new virtual farm tours on www.FarmFood360.ca, thanks to Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO), is a coalition of farmers, agriculture and food partners proactively working together to grow public trust and confidence in food and farming. The... Read this article online
Snow Begone: The RapidTrak Series Friday, December 20, 2024 BYLINE: Zahra Sadiq Winter is upon us, and with it comes thick layers of snow, making everything just a little more difficult. But it doesn’t have to be that way, thanks to the RapidTrak Snow Blowers by Ariens. This company’s story starts in 1933 when Henry Ariens took his sons... Read this article online