'Mismanagement' by government cited in Gencor packing plant failure Wednesday, April 2, 2008 by BETTER FARMING STAFF Gencor Foods Inc (GFI) closed its doors at the end of March and announced its intention to file for an application for bankruptcy. Unspecified financial losses were cited, along with the failure to find a buyer for the distressed plant. “Regulations enacted in the United States for Specified Risk Material (SRM) are much less rigorous than the regulations established in Canada,” a Gencor press release stated. An enhanced feed ban came into place in July of last year. When the Americans opened their border to over 30 month old cattle last November, American plants buying cows in Ontario had “at least a $39 per cow cost advantage” over plants like GFI, Stewart said. Gencor Foods Inc was formed in 2004 to reopen the former MGI plant in Kitchener. “I’m really disheartened by the loss of cull cow capacity in the province,” Stewart told Better Farming. Gencor was “built up with substantial investment from the provincial government and producers.” “Governments have to get serious about addressing the regulatory inequalities,” Stewart said. “We are trying to have an integrated market here in North America … There isn’t any adequate compensation for the changes in regulations,” and it is driving processors and producers out of business.” Gencor cited a “one time” payment from the province to deal with the SRM issue as providing some relief. The province did provide packing plants with money in January, says Kelly Synnott, advisor to provincial agriculture minister Leona Dombrowsky. SRM regulations are federal, says Brent Ross, spokesman for the ministry. The province won’t reveal the amount of support it gave to Gencor. It is “proprietary business information.” Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada did not comment in time for Better Farming’s deadline. BF Ontario beef producers at a 'disadvantage' says OCA's president Plant meets construction and corn cost challenges, chairman says
Farmland Demand Strong in Alberta, Not so for the Rest of Canada Friday, October 9, 2026 Canadian farmland values continued their upward trend during the first half of 2026, although growth has moderated compared to the rapid gains seen in recent years. According to Farm Credit Canada's (FCC) mid-year farmland values review, cultivated farmland increased by an average of... Read this article online
Small Plane Crashes Near Fergus Into a Corn Field Friday, October 9, 2026 A small aircraft crashed into a corn field north of Fergus on Friday morning, sparking a fire and prompting a major emergency response in rural Wellington County. Witnesses reported hearing unusual noises from the aircraft before the collision, while police and aviation authorities... Read this article online
Meat industry leaders honoured at MPO awards gala Friday, October 9, 2026 Leaders from Ontario’s meat and poultry sector were recognized during the 2026 Meat & Poultry Ontario Awards Gala, which brought together industry members to celebrate achievements, community involvement and long-term commitment to the sector. Held October 3, 2026, at The Westin Toronto... Read this article online
Crack a Canadian egg and celebrate farmers on World Egg Day Friday, October 9, 2026 Egg Farmers of Canada is celebrating—October 9—by recognizing the 1,290 egg farmers and farm families who produce eggs across the country. Observed annually on the second Friday of October, World Egg Day shines a spotlight on the nutritional value of eggs and the farmers responsible for... Read this article online
Ontario invests $6.1 million in northern agriculture projects Thursday, October 8, 2026 The Ontario government is investing more than $6.1 million in 14 agricultural projects across Northern Ontario in an effort to improve farm productivity, support rural communities, and strengthen the province’s food production capacity. The funding is being provided through the Northern... Read this article online