Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

AgVisionTV.com The High Cost of Cheap Food. Do you agree with Dr. Charlebois? Comments

The High Cost of Cheap Food
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois talks about why consumers paying less for food, doesn't help anyone.

Check out this video…
http://agvisiontv.farms.com/default.aspx?vid=vid_11162009135816843

Views: 467

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I found Dr. Charlebois' comments confusing and distorted. On one hand he associates increased fertilizer outputs to increased global agricultural production and then speaks of domestic consumer trust of food integrity. Dr. Charlebois' discussion flows between global production and the need to invest domestically in nutrition and the food chain. There was little discussion about primary domestic agricultural production. It's as if primary domestic agricultural production was of little to no consequence in Canada's food debate.

I fail to see how Dr. Charlebois' suggestion to increase food costs would automatically equate in a secure food supply with a highly expected level of integrity.

While I find that suggest noble, I would suggest Mother Nature and global partners might not be on the same page when it comes down to his suggested business model.

As with every product the consumer buys there are 3 important elements. Production, transportation and communication. If any link in that chain breaks or weakens, it would have an effect to the end user, the consumer.


Does Dr. Charlebois have a comphresive understanding and knowledge of primary agriculture in Canada? Can he produce the last unmitigated audit on agriculture?

Could Dr. Charlebois answer one question that is of prime importance to the domestic consumer before he suggests moving to the next level? If the borders were to close, could Canada supply their domestic needs?

Most people (ask OMAFRA, they will tell you) would answer very quickly....YES... as we are a net exporting country.

But with every product, there are inputs and agriculture is no exception. Where do our agricultural inputs come from? Our seed? Fertilizer? Energy? Pharmaceuticals of animal welfare? Labour? Parts? Tractors? Machinery? Pesticides? Chemicals? etc..

If the borders were to close will Canadian production sustain the population? 25 years ago, we produced 80% of our domestic needs. Today we are importing 80% and only supplying 20% of our domestic needs. Do we have enough farmers with their unique knowledge to sustain our population if borders were to close? Are we self sufficient in primary agricultural production?

The other notable aspect absent was mention of our Sovereign Food Policy. Without that information, in my private opinion, his suggestions do not resonate with confidence. Without an absolute and irrefutable audit of agriculture in Canada, I fail to see true merit in his remarks.
I thought this was an excellent piece. I agree that we don't pay enough for our food in Canada or even in North America as a whole and that has to change.

Any ideas as to how this can be achieved across the whole agri-food chain?
And so that consumers mostly understand and at least partially accept the change?

Sara
A good old fashioned pandemic with the requisite border closures might change attitudes in a hurry....
I don't think we have enough current processor capacity or infrastructure to feed Ontarians a balanced diet in that unfortunate event.
Our infrastructure is going downhill, we rely to much on our so called friends south of the border.
Look at COOL etc. etc., who sets the rules?

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Travel Safe: Stop Foot and Mouth Disease at the Gate

As summer approaches, many Canadians begin planning vacations and welcoming visitors to their farms. With increased travel and farm traffic, everyone —both those working on and visiting farms— are part of keeping Canada free of foreign animal disease such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). For beef cattle producers, travelling safe involves knowing key information before returning to Canada. A few of these guidelines include:   Before you travel:   Inform Canadian Border Services of your travel plans.  Know the FMD status of the region(s) you will be travelling to.  Be aware of the most up-to-date information on FMD outbreaks and FMD status.   While travelling: Avoid direct contact with livestock and wild animals.  Do not purchase or bring back any meat or animal products.  Clean and disinfect footwear and clothing regularly.  Leave behind any items that cannot easily be disinfected. 

Manitoba Planting Advances Amid Mostly Dry Conditions

Manitoba planting has jumped to about one-third complete, but things are drying out. The latest weekly crop report pegged planting across the province at about 32% complete as of Tuesday, up from just 8% a week earlier. That is 3 points ahead of last year’s pace and 8 points ahead of the five-year average. Precipitation was variable across Manitoba the past week, but with most regions receiving less than 3 mm. The Boissevain area received the largest amount at 12.5 mm. Accumulations in most areas of the province are far below normal - less than 50% - since May 1, the report said, noting that recent wildfires in northern Manitoba have significantly impacted areas around The Pas, causing ‘extensive damage’ to pastures and fence lines. Spring wheat, oat, and barley planting is almost complete in the Southwest, Central, Eastern and Interlake regions, the report said, with corn planting seeing a major jump in the Central, Eastern, and Interlake regions. The earliest planted corn acres

Pulse Market Insight #274

Running out of Runway Even though farmers are out busy in the field and focused on the next crop, we often get questions at this time of year about selling the remainder of last year’s crop. For most farmers, there isn’t much left to sell but there are often a few tonnes held in reserve for a possible spring or summer rally, or just in case the upcoming crop runs into trouble. The question is often phrased something like, “What are the things that could push the market higher?” or “Could we see a bounce yet?” At that point, we usually start listing possible (usually weather-related) factors that could give prices a lift but in most cases, our answer is that a meaningful rally at this time of year is quite unlikely. Of course, we then get the classic Jim Carrey line, “So you’re telling me there’s a chance.” Yes, there’s always a chance but the odds of a summer rally are quite low. We often talk about seasonal price tendencies and one of the most consistent patterns is for prices to d

High Liner Foods Shareholders Approval All Matters at Annual and Special Meeting

High Liner Foods Incorporated (TSX: HLF) ("High Liner Foods" or "the Company"), a leading North American value-added frozen seafood company, reports that all nominees in the Company's Amended and Restated Management Information Circular dated March 24, 2025 were elected as directors of the Company at the Annual and Special General Meeting of shareholders held on May 13, 2025. In addition, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was appointed as the Company's auditor and shareholders also approved an amendment to the Company's articles of association and the advisory resolution on executive compensation.

Chicago Close: Corn Remains Under Pressure

Downtrodden corn futures remained under pressure on Tuesday, while soybeans posted small gains and wheat was mixed. 

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service