The packaging industry largely prefers to manufacture its products from cheap, virgin plastic. Packaging technology can be key to less food waste, but if it’s damaging to the environment with its reliance on non-renewable resources, what’s the point? A new report aims for some positive actions for growers, industry and government to address these conflicting priorities.
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When beef processing facilities close due to worker illness, such a Covid-19 outbreak, livestock farmers quickly feel the fallout. We’ve seen it happen at numerous plants recently in Canada and the U.S. Instead of generating cash flow for animals shipped, producers incur additional costs for a longer period of care and feeding. But a bit of early business planning can mitigate the situation.
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Butchers and meat managers say they feel confident in continuing to be able to supply us with the high quality products we enjoy. Meat and Poultry Ontario reminds us that we can still support the restaurant members of its association through take-out and delivery options. Photo: CNN.com
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Tree planting, like farming, can be physically demanding, solitary work. And just like farming, it isn’t a get-rich-quick occupation. But on the plus side, there’s real reward in seeing the fruits of your labour grow and flourish. Unfortunately, many young people are missing the opportunity; agri-food jobs far outnumber those interested to fill them. Photo: Jennifer Gonzale
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Prime Minister Trudeau’s recent announcement of financial help for the agri-food industry was a welcome move, but insufficient for one of the nation’s hardest hit sectors in this pandemic. After enduring two years of terrible weather coupled with brutal trade wars, many producers were ready to quit farming, even before COVID-19. Photo: The Western Producer
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Owen Roberts is a faculty member in the Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications program at the University of Illinois. As an agricultural journalist, he is the past president of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists and a lifetime achievement award recipient from the Canadian Farm Writers' Federation. His programs and research papers have been recognized nationally and internationally through awards from the Journal of Applied Communications, the National Agri-Marketing Association, the Association for Communications Excellence, and others.