Chicken Farmers of Ontario expands chicken processing capacity in the province

Mar 16, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON - Chicken Farmers of Ontario’s (CFO) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the Ontario chicken industry is growing by three new entrant processors in two strategic market segments – “value-added” and “ethno-cultural”.

The CFO New Entrant Chicken Processors Program was designed to help provide new strategic market segments with processing capacity to benefit the sustainable economic growth of fresh, high quality, locally-farmed and processed chicken in Ontario. Each year CFO advances one or more strategic markets to be served by an approved new entrant processor.

“Our success continues to depend upon our ability to understand consumers, markets, our food customers and fellow industry-value chain stakeholders, and to ensure that we are responsive to their evolving needs,” said Ed Benjamins, Chair of CFO.

“Ontario has a tradition of growing premium quality chicken, and investments by new entrant processors will enhance the ability of our industry to meet consumer demands by providing locally grown, locally processed premium Ontario chicken,” said Rob Dougans, President and CEO of CFO.

In the strategic “value-added” market segment, two new entrant processors: Fenwood Farms, and Simcoe Street Meat Packers, will process organic chickens. In the strategic “ethno-cultural” market segment, new entrant processor: Conscious Living Cuisine Processing Ltd., will process smaller chickens for the Portuguese barbecue chicken market.

“This announcement further demonstrates the importance of building and implementing supply management policies and programs that can stimulate new industry development and investment, and which can continue to support and nurture the entrepreneurial energies and economic growth ambitions of the Ontario chicken industry,” Dougans also noted.

CFO’s New Entrant Chicken Processors Program was established to ensure that enterprises wishing to process chicken in Ontario and address changing market opportunities would be able to do so following a successful application process.

Source : Chicken Farmers of Ontario

Video: FLEECED! Sheep Shearer Hands Over Clippers!

It's sheep shearing day at Ewetopia Farms! ?? Our Dorset lambs and ewes are getting fleeced — and for the first time, our shearer hands over his clippers to a beginner. We finish shearing the last of our adult ewes and this year’s Dorset ewe lambs.

From moving the sheep between barns, loading them into chutes, and watching the wool come off, this is always one of the most satisfying days on the farm. But this video has a twist — we welcomed a new helper, Gian, who’s not only lending a hand but also learning how to shear! With guidance from our experienced shearer, he got a crash course in sheep shearing and even tried his hand at shearing a couple of lambs himself.

You’ll see firsthand how both teacher and student handled this unique challenge. Shearing is more than just removing wool — it’s about sheep health, comfort, and giving us a closer look at the flock. It’s always amazing to see the transformation from woolly sheep to freshly shorn ewes and lambs.