From the editors of Feedstuffs
Maple Leaf Foods Inc. has unveiled that Canada Packers Inc. will be the future name of the new pork company once it completes the previously announced separation of its pork business as a new independent, public company.
“We are thrilled to launch Canada Packers as the new name for our future independent pork company,” said Dennis Organ, president of Maple Leaf Foods’ Pork Complex and incoming CEO of Canada Packers. “This choice reflects our deep respect for the history and legacy of this iconic brand, while affording us the opportunity to bring it forward and blend it with our ambitious vision for the future as a world-leading pork producer.”
The heritage of Canada Packers as a leader in the pork business goes back nearly a century. The new company will build on this legacy as an industry leader and will move forward with a focus on sustainable solutions and global reach.
“Canada Packers is a distinctive, memorable and authentic name for the new pork company,” said Curtis Frank, president and CEO, Maple Leaf Foods. “While grounded in solid roots that have been an important part of Maple Leaf Foods’ history, Canada Packers also provides a platform for the forward-thinking vision that Dennis and his team have embraced as they chart their next steps as an independent company. We are excited for what the future holds for Canada Packers as we advance plans to complete the separation of the businesses in 2025.”
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TARGAN launches automated feather sex identification system
Animal AgTech company, TARGAN Inc., will make the European debut of WingScan at EuroTier 2024. The US-based manufacturer’s automated chick feather sex identification system leverages artificial intelligence (AI)-powered advanced imaging technology to identify and sort male and female day-old chicks based on their feathers.The WingScan system offers a throughput of up to 100,000 chicks per hour, depending on the configuration, with up to 98% accuracy. Read more
De Heus, a global leader in animal nutrition, has further strengthened its presence in Indonesia with the successful acquisition and launch of its fifth production facility in Purwodadi, Central Java. This strategic expansion underscores De Heus' unwavering commitment to advancing sustainable livestock farming and empowering local communities.
Since its entry into Indonesia in 2018, De Heus has been driving growth to become one of the country's largest and well-established animal feed producers, providing best-in-class animal feed products to customers and providing additional customer-centric services in relation to farm design and management as well as animal health. Furthermore, through strategic investments in genetics and by taking on an active role in coordinating the value chain, De Heus contributes significantly to the further professionalization of the independent livestock and aquaculture farming sector in Indonesia.Read more
The National Pork Producers Council and a coalition of livestock and farm groups filed a Motion for Summary Judgment asking a federal judge to reject activist challenges to the Environmental Protection Agency's regulations exempting livestock farms from filing reports on routine air emissions associated with manure storage and handling. This comes a week after NPPC successfully defended the pork industry against activist attempts in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to force permitting requirements on livestock farms under the Clean Water Act.
In a nearly 16-year battle over air emissions reporting, the latest development stems from a challenge to EPA rules established after Congress passed the Fair Agricultural Reporting Method Act in 2018. The law, which had strong bipartisan support, exempted concentrated animal feeding operations from reporting routine manure emissions to the Coast Guard's National Response Center under the Superfund Act.
USDA announces initiatives to increase competition and lower food prices
USDA has announced a series of steps aimed at increasing market competition and lowering food prices. Those steps include establishing a framework for seed competition, providing access to a new retail report and issuing an executive order to address issues in livestock markets.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the announcements are part of a broader effort of the Biden-Harris administration to help farmers, small businesses and rural communities “get a fair shake.”
“Our work on competition is about opening up new markets for farmers and delivering fairer, more competitive choices,” Vilsack says. “Today’s actions will help to deliver on more choice and lower costs for seeds used by farmers, more choice and lower food costs for consumers, and a fairer marketplace for ranchers.”Read more
