JBS acquisition of XL Foods moves ahead Saturday, January 12, 2013 by SUSAN MANNThe Canadian subsidiary of JBS U.S.A. is set to complete buying some of the assets of beef processor XL Foods Inc. next week.When it completes the deal on Monday, JBS Foods Canada, Inc. will acquire XL Foods’ Canadian properties in Alberta, including a beef packing plant in Calgary, the processing plant in Brooks, a feedlot and the farmland adjacent to the feedlot.Three months ago, JBS U.S.A. took over management of the XL Foods beef processing facility in Brooks, Alberta during the largest meat recall in Canadian history due to beef contamination by E. coli. At one point during the almost two-month long recall, the XL Foods plant in Brooks was shut down by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for almost a month. There were 18 confirmed cases of people getting sick after consuming meat contaminated by E. coli linked to the XL Foods facility.In addition to the Canadian purchase, JBS U.S.A. has the exclusive option to buy the American operations of XL Foods. JBS U.S.A. is a wholly owned subsidiary of global protein giant JBS S.A.Canadian Cattlemen’s Association president Martin Unrau says in a press release the announcement is good news for beef farmers. It gives them certainty the facility will remain viable well into the future. The Brooks plant is one of Canada’s largest beef processing plants with the capacity to process 4,000 head a day.“JBS has done a great job in managing the plant and helping it to reach its full potential,” he says. BF Dairy Farmers respond to Chobani pullout Province beefs up Corn Fed marketing with $2.5 million grant
Pilot project supports Ontario and Quebec ag Friday, July 24, 2026 A new two-year pilot project is designed to help livestock farmers in Quebec by giving them access to an Ontario abattoir. The project, a collaboration between the Quebec and Ontario governments, with additional support from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), would see a limited... Read this article online
Canada Opens Interprovincial Alcohol Sales Thursday, July 23, 2026 A major change to Canada's internal marketplace is set to create new opportunities for wineries, breweries and distilleries after nine provinces signed a landmark agreement allowing direct-to-consumer sales of alcoholic beverages across participating jurisdictions. The deal is being hailed... Read this article online
Heat and Rain have led to a challenging growing season for Cauliflower Growers in Ontario. Thursday, July 23, 2026 There are only 1,225 acres dedicated to growing cauliflower in Ontario, but they produce 14,545,000 lbs of the vegetable. Growers across key vegetable-producing regions are preparing for increased shipments of locally grown cauliflower to grocery stores, restaurants, wholesalers and... Read this article online
Who Knew so Much Canadian Watermelon is Grown in Ontario Thursday, July 23, 2026 Many consumers may think of watermelon as an exotic fruit, but Ontario grows about2,000 acresof watermelons each year, more than 35,084tonnesof watermelon.Watermelonharvest now is underway. Watermelon originated in northeastern Africa, particularly in the region that today includes Sudan... Read this article online
Ontario Farmers Harvest One of Canada’s Top Carrot Crops Wednesday, July 22, 2026 Carrots are among Ontario's most important vegetable crops, contributing significantly to local food production and year-round fresh produce availability. Ontario grows the most carrots of any Canadian province – 45% of the country’s carrots. According to Statistics Canada, Ontario... Read this article online