Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Are You Aware of Walmart's Power To Control Farm Production Practices?

Walmart wants Iowans to
farm by its principles


Never mind the government regulators. When it
comes to influencing the way farmers grow their
crops, the real power someday may be Walmart, the
nation's largest food retailer.

Walmart pledges to double sales of locally grown
food by 2015 and also is taking steps to ensure that
all the food it sells is produced in sustainable ways.
Walmart wants to measure and set farm-to-fork
standards for the energy and natural resource
impacts of food production.

The company hasn't been specific yet about what
these initiatives will mean for farmers in Iowa. Work
on the sustainability standards for domestically
produced foods has just started.

But Walmart says it is interested in improving soil
quality and conserving water and fossil fuels. In the
run-up to announcing the plan last month, top
Walmart executives flew into Iowa at least twice and
toured three Iowa farms that either follow organic
methods or are known for innovative environmental
practices.

"They seemed to get it," said Ron Rosmann, an
organic farmer near Atlantic. He said the Walmart
executives talked knowledgeably about hot-button i
ssues such as antibiotic usage in livestock and the
environmental benefits of organic practices. "They
were saying this is what we need more of," he said.

Farm groups are watching Walmart's plans
cautiously, given that the company has the market
power to force them to change practices without
compensating them for the higher production costs
that could result.

"I'm not under any illusion that farmers are going to
get premiums for these practices," said Russell
Williams, who is following the Walmart initiative for
the American Farm Bureau Federation. "It's going to
be a cost of doing business. If that's the case, we're
going to have to focus on how not to destroy farm
income."

I saw this article in the Des Moines Register and thought it is relevant here in Ontario as well.

Here is the link to the whole article: 

 

 

 

 

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20101107/BUSINESS01/110703...

 

 

 

Views: 77

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by OntAG Admin on November 8, 2010 at 4:15am
Interesting article from New York state on consumer preferences influencing farming practices.

Farmers React to Changing Marketplace to Survive http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20101031/NEWS09/310310003

Also in the article::

Wegmans Food Markets Inc. requires its suppliers to provide documentation that they follow Good Agricultural Practices, or GAPs, a national program that Cornell University runs in New York that monitors risk-reducing procedures surrounding worker hygiene, water quality, manure and other factors. For years, Wegmans has recommended that local growers get GAP-certified; this was the first year it was required.
Permalink Reply by Bristow on November 8, 2010 at 6:37am
When do Monsato come into the picture. It will be soon than you think from production to the table. With the trend of government take over of some commersial enterprizes. As with the oil industry with opec countries holding lion shares in banks, car production and of course the shipping and production. It is only a matter of time before the producer of seed, chemicals for production will move into the transport, and distrubution of its production as it will be the only one produced. A push by Walmart to sell a organic product cuts into profits of large scale gm food production. But I guess they would have some cosely deal we don;t know. As for shares in these companys, I am quiet sure, your franked shares will be worth something one day, like the money producted out nothing but debt.

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

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

Pilot project supports Ontario and Quebec ag

The project will improve access for livestock processing for some producers

Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Agriculture advance a shared vision for the Next Policy Framework

Federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture concluded their annual conference today in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Their shared commitment to building a competitive, innovative and resilient agriculture and agri-food sector was reaffirmed, while also recognizing the importance of taking a collaborative approach in supporting all producers and processors from coast-to-coast-to-coast. 

Ontario Farmers Harvest One of Canada’s Top Carrot Crops

Ontario's 2026 carrot harvest is underway, reinforcing the province as Canada's leading producer with a steady year-round supply despite recent summer heat challenges.

Shane Hedderson, MBA, Appointed Cleanfarms Executive Director Effective July 1, 2026

Cleanfarms has named Shane Hedderson, MBA, as its new Executive Director, effective July 1, 2026, following a national search for the organization’s next leader. A long-standing member of Cleanfarms’ senior management team, Mr. Hedderson brings deep experience in agricultural stewardship, circular economy initiatives and industry partnership development to the role. He succeeds Barry Friesen, who retired in April 2026. “Shane is a dynamic leader who brings a rare combination of strategic insight, operational expertise and strong industry relationships to this important national role,” said Boyd Bergstrom, Chair of the Cleanfarms Board of Directors. “The board has had the opportunity to work with Shane over many years, and we have every confidence in his ability to guide Cleanfarms through the opportunities and challenges ahead.” “It is an honour to take on this role and to continue building on the accomplishments of the past 15 years alongside our talented team,” said Shane Hedderson

Drone company, German-based company among Innovation Award winners

Organizers of Ag in Motion held the Innovation in Agriculture Reception on Monday night. A total of four gold award winners and 10 silver award winners were honoured. “Ag in Motion is built around sharing ideas and bringing the industry together to see what’s possible,” says show director Rob O’Connor in a news release. “The Innovations Program gives farmers an early look at new solutions and technologies, made possible through strong collaboration with our industry partners.” LandView Drones, based in Camrose, Alberta, was one of the gold winners for its SwathView Technology. "This was the game-changing year here in Canada because the stars really aligned," said Markus Weber, the President and CEO of LandView Drones, referring to new federal regulations, combined with very wet fields in parts of eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba, have led more farmers to use drones to apply fungicides. "Everybody wanted to get started with drones this year, Weber said. "The only problem i

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service