An Ontario dairyman’s long-fought legal scrap to be able to distribute unpasteurized (“raw”) milk has hit another wall — this time a dismissal by Ontario’s Court of Appeal. The decision, released Tuesday, upholds a September 2011 decision from the provincial Court of Justice against raw-milk advocate Michael Schmidt. [Related story] The 2011 ruling overturned previous […] Read more
Ontario court dismisses raw-milk appeal
Cows learn dairying faster when housed together: study
Housing new dairy cows in pairs rather than individual pens could improve their ability to learn new feeding and milking technologies, a new B.C. study suggests. The study by Rebecca Meagher, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of British Columbia, shows dairy calves become better at learning by way of a “buddy system” — and […] Read more
Ben + Jerry’s to go full non-GMO by mid-year
Premium ice cream maker Ben + Jerry’s plans to soon pull any genetically modified (GMO) ingredients from its supply lines in both Canada and the U.S. The Vermont-based company, which makes and sells ice cream in over two dozen countries through major retailers and its chain of ice cream shops, and last year pledged to […] Read more
Saputo eyeing further buys
Reuters — Canada’s largest dairy producer Saputo Inc., which recently won control of Australian dairy Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory Co., is hungry for further acquisitions in that country, as well as in New Zealand, Brazil and the U.S., CEO Lino Saputo Jr. said on Thursday. Saputo gave no indication that further big purchases are […] Read more
Ont. dairy co-op buys Hamilton cheesemaker
Hamilton’s family-owned Salerno Dairy, a specialty Italian-style cheesemaker, is becoming part of Ontario’s largest dairy co-operative. Gay Lea Foods announced Monday it has reached a deal, effective Feb. 1, to buy Salerno for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 1962 by cheesemaker Carmine Marzaro and his family, Salerno today makes hard, soft, semi-soft and shredded cheese […] Read more
Flatulent cows start fire at German dairy farm, police say
Berlin | Reuters — Methane gas from 90 flatulent cows exploded in a German farm shed on Monday, damaging the roof and injuring one of the animals, police said. High levels of the gas had built up in the structure in the central German town of Rasdorf, then “a static electric charge caused the gas […] Read more
Saputo wins majority control of Australia’s Warrnambool
Sydney, Australia | Reuters — Canada’s Saputo said Wednesday it has secured majority control of Australia’s Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory Co., putting pressure on rival bidder Murray Goulburn Co-operative Co. to concede defeat. Saputo said it had increased its shareholding in Australia’s oldest dairy maker to 52.7 per cent, giving it control after a […] Read more
Saputo to buy Scotsburn fluid milk business
Quebec dairy giant Saputo plans to buy its way further into Atlantic Canada’s milk market with the fluid milk business of regional dairy co-op Scotsburn. Saputo on Friday announced a cash deal to buy Scotsburn Co-operative Services’ fluid milk operations for $61 million, pending a vote by Scotsburn members and approval from the federal Competition […] Read more
Saputo nearing majority control of Australian dairy firm
Canadian dairy giant Saputo said Friday its shareholding in Australia’s Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory Holdings has jumped to 46.17 per cent, putting it close to majority control. Former rival bidder Bega Cheese said Thursday it was selling its 18.8 per cent stake to Saputo, all but handing victory to the Quebec-based company in the […] Read more
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