Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has announced a new agreement which allows in-vitro fertilized (IVF) bovine embryos to enter Canada from the U.S. Previously, only IVF bovine embryos produced within Canada were accessible to producers. A Canadian Food Inspection agency release said this represents the first agreement Canada has developed with another country to permit the […] Read more
In-vitro bovine embryos allowed from the U.S.

Domino’s Canadian arm commits to Canadian cheese
In the wake of a rival’s play to import cheaper U.S. mozza, the Canadian franchisee of U.S. pizza chain Domino’s has formally gone all-in on the Canadian brand. Domino’s Pizza of Canada on Wednesday announced what it bills as a “major partnership” with Dairy Farmers of Canada, which will see DFC’s 100 per cent Canadian […] Read more

Ontario’s Gay Lea to buy Hewitt’s Dairy
A 127-year-old family-owned Ontario dairy processor is set to go co-op. Gay Lea Foods, the province’s largest dairy co-operative, announced Wednesday it reached a deal to buy Hewitt’s Dairy of Hagersville for an undisclosed sum, effective Nov. 1. Hewitt’s is an icon in southern Ontario for its dairy bar just north of Hagersville, about 25 […] Read more

Feds back livestock genetics marketing push
A bid to boost sales of Canadian dairy, sheep and goat genetics in export markets has picked up seven-figure federal funding. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz on Wednesday announced $1.6 million for the Canadian Livestock Genetics Association (CLGA), mainly to help the association achieve its target of increasing sales and exports of dairy genetics by 10 […] Read more
EU provides aid to dairy sector after Russian ban
Brussels | Reuters — The European Commission announced financial support for exporters of dairy products hit by Russia’s ban on Western food imports, adding to emergency measures already taken to help fruit and vegetable producers. Moscow this month imposed a one-year embargo on meat, fish, dairy, fruit and vegetables from the U.S., the European Union, […] Read more
Supreme Court rejects raw-milk dairyman’s appeal
An Ontario dairyman’s legal challenge of bans on the sale of unpasteurized milk has ended at the Supreme Court of Canada’s doormat. The country’s top court on Thursday dismissed — without costs — the application from Durham, Ont. farmer Michael Schmidt, in which he sought leave to appeal previous losses at Ontario’s Court of Justice and […] Read more

Trade mission to Turkey opens doors
Need to upgrade cattle, sheep and goat genetics offers opportunities for Alberta companies
Reading Time: 2 minutes A provincial trade mission to Turkey has identified significant opportunities for Alberta in the areas of sheep and goat genetics, live cattle and cattle genetics, pulses, pet food, and agriculture-focused post-secondary education and training. The Alberta delegation included OC Flock Management (a Bowden-based company specializing in small ruminants’ reproductive technologies and genetics), ITS Global (a […] Read more

Milk prices sink as ‘white gold’ floods even China’s demand
Wellington/Shanghai | Reuters –– Hopes of a “white gold” rush fuelled by booming Asian demand for milk and other dairy products have been dealt a blow, as swollen stockpiles in top consumer China and a flood of supply pummel dairy prices. Global dairy prices have fallen more than 40 per cent since February, according to […] Read more
Saputo posts bigger profit, hikes dividend
Reuters –– Saputo Inc., Canada’s largest dairy producer, reported higher quarterly earnings on Tuesday, lifted by recent acquisitions. The Montreal-based company also increased its quarterly dividend by 13 per cent to 26 cents from 23 and announced a two-for-one stock split. For Saputo’s first quarter through June 30, net income rose to $145.3 million, or […] Read more

U.S. officials call foul over Canada’s ‘pizza kit’ clampdown
Ottawa’s move to plug a regulatory hole that eased pizzerias’ access to U.S. mozza seems to have halted traffic in “pizza kits” — but U.S. officials see that move as potentially trade-unfriendly. Officials also estimate the move will effectively shut Canada’s ports to thousands of tons of U.S. pizza toppings valued at up to US$30 million […] Read more