Federal Government Announces Financial Assistance for Ag Industry

May 11, 2020

Recently, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture called for 2.6 billion dollars in emergency aid for the farm sector.

This morning, the Prime Minister finally announced federal assistance for farmers and others in the agri-food sector to the tune of 252 million dollars.

"For cattle and hog producers we will launch a 125 million dollar national agri-recovery intiative. Farms and processing plants are raising more animals than the system can process, into things like steak and bacon, because of COVID-19. For many farmers, this crisis means they have to keep animals for longer periods of time and that can be expensive. With this funding we're giving extra help to beef and pork producers so that they can adapt to this crisis," announced Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in his media availability today.

Part of that funding, about 70 million dollars, will be used to help packing plants adapt their facilities to better protect workers from COVID 19. As well, the PM announced the government will use 50 million dollars of the program to buy excess groceries to prevent them from being tossed away. The PM insisting this 252 million dollars is only an initial investment and if more is needed, it will be coming.

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Video: What Does 20 MILLION Hogs a Year Look Like?

?? The Multi-Plant System Processing 20 Million Hogs Annually in the Midwest JBS USA operates multiple large-scale pork processing facilities across the Midwest, including major plants in Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana. Combined, these facilities have the capacity to process approximately 20 million hogs annually.

Each plant operates high-speed automated slaughter systems capable of processing up to 20,000 head per day, followed by fabrication lines that break carcasses into primals, sub-primals, and case-ready retail products.

Hog procurement is coordinated through electronic marketing platforms that connect regional contract finishing operations and independent producers to plant demand schedules. This digital procurement system allows for steady supply flow and scheduling efficiency across multiple facilities.

Processing plants incorporate comprehensive food safety systems, including pathogen intervention technologies, rapid chilling processes, and integrated cold-chain management. USDA inspection is embedded throughout the harvest and fabrication stages to ensure regulatory compliance and product integrity. Finished pork products — from bulk primals to retail-ready packaged cuts — are distributed through coordinated logistics networks serving domestic and export markets.