Our August Issue

THE BEEF, PORK & POULTRY INDUSTRY DIGITAL MAGAZINE

August 2021

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

FCC Reports Strong Financial Performance in 2020-2021 Government Taking Action to Support Farmers Facing Extreme Weather Can Eggs Crack World Hunger?

Beef for Generations Family-owned Businesses Finally Get Fair Playing Field to Sell to Next Generation

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MEAT BUSINESS 2017 MEATBUSINESSPRO August July/August 2021 2 CANADIAN

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New $5M Investment in State-of-the-art Hog Processing Facility The Kids are Alright

FCC Reports Strong Financial Performance in 2020-2021 Government Taking Action to Support Farmers Facing Extreme Weather

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Can Eggs Crack World Hunger?

Beef for Generations

2021 Canadian Beef IndustryVirtual Conference

Family-owned Businesses Finally Get Fair Playing Field to Sell to Next Generation China

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THE BEEF, PORK & POULTRY INDUSTRY DIGITAL MAGAZINE

August 2021 Volume 21 Number 8 PUBLISHER Ray Blumenfeld ray@meatbusiness.ca MANAGING EDITOR Scott Taylor publishing@meatbusiness.ca DIGITAL MEDIA EDITOR Cam Patterson cam@meatbusiness.ca CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Scott Taylor, Wayne Greene, Evelyn Greene, Jonathan Alward

NEW $5M INVESTMENT IN STATE-OF-THEART HOG PROCESSING FACILITY The Canadian government recently announced it will make an investment of up to $5 million to assist CBCo Alliance increase capacity at its new hog processing facility in Les Cèdres, Quebec.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Patrick Cairns

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This investment, made through the Emergency Processing Fund, supported infrastructure upgrades and the purchase and installation of advanced processing equipment to increase productivity and boost production capacity. According to the company's projection, it will have the capacity to process up to 20,000 hogs per week by 2024.

Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food stated "This is a significant development for the local economy near Vaudreuil, and a big help to the processing capacity challenges we have experienced over the past number of years. With this investment, CBCo Alliance is setting up a state-of-the-art facility to increase hog processing capacity here in Quebec, which helps our producers continue to deliver quality pork products to our grocery shelves. This project not only responds to challenges brought on by COVID-19, but also positions the industry for a stronger future."

The new facility began operations in November 2020 and is expected to create a total of 250 jobs in Vaudreuil–Soulanges once it is running at full capacity. This project supports the sustainability of Canada's domestic food supply and increases hog processing capacity in Quebec, both now and in the future.

"We are very pleased to participate in the development of pork slaughter and processing in Quebec,” said Mario Côté, Jocelyn Bertrand and Janin Boucher, Co-Owners, CBCo Alliance. “We are proud to be Canadian pork producers and we want the best for this industry. This plant is the future of our organizations."

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant challenges for Canada's meat processing sector and has shown the need for more diversified processing capacity. The Government of Canada responded with targeted investments to help meat processors invest in safety measures to protect their workers and in facility improvements to ensure a strong food supply for Canadians.

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THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

By Scott Taylor Photos by Heather Beswitherick and the Central Plains Capitals Hockey Club Shaelyn (Beswitherick) Toews and her younger sister Megan Beswitherick don’t spend a lot of time playing video games or chilling on the couch.

Shaelyn is a 21-year-old student, heading into her second and final year of the diploma agriculture program at the University of Manitoba. Megan, 18, just graduated from MacGregor Collegiate and is off to study business administration and marketing – while playing hockey and soccer – at Brandon’s Assiniboine Community College.

“B2 Cattle Co. was formed when Lyndon and I got married in 1996,” explained Laurelly. “Lyndon grew up on a dairy farm, Beswitherick Farms, and it was still a dairy farm at that point and when we got married, we started a beef component that was a just a partnership between my husband and myself.

If that’s not enough, they also own Lil Chicks Cattle Co., a purebred Simmental breeding and sales operation on the family farm, just eight miles south of Austin, Man. To say the cattle business is in their blood would be underestimating the quality of their blood. They are the daughters of Lyndon and Laurelly Beswitherick, owners of B2 Cattle Co. and the 2003 Young Farmers of Canada Manitoba Branch Champions. The cattle business has framed Shaelyn’s and Megan’s entire lives.

“In 2003, the quota prices for dairy were pretty good and it was a good opportunity for Lyndon’s parents to capitalize on that as part of their retirement. That sale dissolved Beswitherick Farms, Lyndon’s parents retired and then the B2 Cattle Co. expanded once more.”

It certainly hasn’t always been easy for Lyndon and Laurelly. They survived BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) in 2003 and right now they’re battling a horrible summer drought in Manitoba, but they’ve been able to maintain and, as they paid off debt, have actually grown in the last few years.

“We would like to expand even more but we’re kind of locked into the amount of land we can purchase because there are some grain and potato guys in the area, so we have a hard time finding new pastureland to increase our herd size,” Laurelly said. “So, we make do with about 3,000 acres. As anyone in our business will

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tell you, you need a sharp pencil and a lot of paper to make sure things work out.”

“Lil Chicks formed in the fall of 2014,” explained Megan.

“We had grown up around cattle and we were learning how to appreciate the purebred business, as well, through our involvement in 4-H. So, we went out and bought our first animals in the fall of 2014 and decided on the name Lil Chicks because we wanted something that would stand out and people would remember us at the sales.”

Laurelly remembered the discussions that took place before Lil Chicks came to be.

By 2014, the B2 Cattle Co. was doing well, and Lyndon’s and Laurelly’s two youngest daughters (the girls have an older sister, Heather), might only have been 11 and 14, but between their parents and Beef 4-H they had developed some personal opinions about the cattle business.

VEMAG

REPLACEMENT PARTS

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“What these two aren’t saying is that they had this money sitting in the bank and as we all know, bank interest rates aren’t something you can live off of,” Laurelly recalled. “So, we said to them, ‘You girls need to take that money and you need to invest it.’ And we hinted that probably buying cattle and building up a small herd in order to put them through college would be a good investment. Lyndon and I said that we don’t have an overabundance of pasture and we’re tight on numbers but, ‘You guys can build your herd to 10 head and we’ll let you pasture and feed your animals here.

Over 10 and you’re getting a bill.’

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“That was a way we could help them out without actually handing over money. That’s how Lil Chicks got started. And then once they saw how that would work and we got the idea into their heads, they ran with it.

They did a lot of looking at the breeding and the type of animals they wanted to invest in and how they can market that. We do all of our own A.I. here, as well.

That helped increase the quality of the girls’ herd very quickly.”

Meanwhile, their mom sees a future in which she and Lyndon will eventually sell off their herd as they ease into retirement and the girls will continue to buy their own animals and take over the ranch.

“We’re incorporated so they won’t be buying the farm,” explained Laurelly. “It’s not something most people can afford to do anymore. Through shares and different investments, they would eventually take on the farm.

There will definitely be a transition from B2 Cattle to Lil Chicks.”

Shaelyn was just married to a young man who works for Bayer Crop Science so her new husband understands what she’s trying to build. And what she and her sister are building comes with a pressure-packed summer and fall. The Pembina Triangle Simmental Female Sale will be held Friday, Nov. 19, in Cypress River, Man., and Lil Chicks Cattle Co. will be there for the first time.

“It’s a big fall for us because we have two heifers in the sale,” said Shaelyn. “It’s our first sale that we’re consigned into. It’s pretty exciting.”

Laurelly is also pleased that her daughters have committed themselves to the beef industry.

“We’re very happy that they’re staying in the industry, but we’re not surprised at all,” she said. “Shaelyn, since she was a very young girl, was always out with her dad, investigating the crops, helping to fix machinery and Megan has a real knack for the animals. They will be a really good team. And they know how much work is involved, they absolutely love it and they’re good at it.”

At a time when a growing number of young Canadians are heading to university, getting business, legal or medical degrees and leaving the farm behind, the young Beswitherick sisters are committing to their future to a plot of land in southwestern Manitoba.

“This is basically what we’re going to do when we finish university and college,” said Megan. “Shaelyn just invested enough to purchase 16 more head this fall (they will be getting a bill) and we’ll just continue to invest in more animals and grow our herd. Hopefully, I can bring the marketing that I’ll learn at ACC in Brandon back to the business.”

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FCC REPORTS STRONG FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN 2020-2021 Farm Credit Canada (FCC) reported strong financial performance last year, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of the Canadian agriculture and food industry during a challenging time.

“In a year filled with so much uncertainty, FCC was able to serve the agriculture and food industry as it stepped up to overcome many challenges,” said FCC president and CEO Michael Hoffort, in releasing the federal Crown corporation’s annual report.

In 2020-21, FCC grew its portfolio by 7.6 per cent to $41.5 billion. The portfolio included payment schedule adjustments to 14.8 per cent of the total value of outstanding loans compared to nine per cent in the previous year. This increase was primarily due to pandemic-related support. Since deferring, 98 per cent of customers have returned to regular payments.

“FCC continues to be in a strong financial position to support those in Canada’s agriculture and food industry,” Hoffort said. “In the early stages of the pandemic, FCC collaborated with the federal government to provide working capital relief and additional lending for the industry and our customers.”

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“We continue to respond to the needs of the industry,” Hoffort added. “We are currently offering support to customers whose operations are impacted by the extreme heat and dry conditions in western Canada.

We stand with our customers during these and other challenges.”

From March 2020 to the end of this fiscal year, more than 4,900 customers used payment deferral options on loans totalling $5.6 billion. Over the same period, more than 1,800 customers were approved for COVID-19 FCC Credit Lines. As the year progressed, operations and businesses adapted resulting in a decline in requests for COVID-19 loan products.

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us closer to our government’s target of $75 billion in exports by 2025. Not only is the increase good for farmers, but the results are also positive for Canadians as exports drive one in five jobs in this country.” Bibeau added.

“Canadian farmers and agri-food businesses have shown incredible resilience through what has been a year filled with great challenges, but also great successes. When the pandemic hit, our government moved quickly to boost FCC’s lending capacity so that farmers and food businesses were supported as they headed into stormy waters,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. "The strong performance of the sector last year is reflected in FCC’s outstanding results. FCC is a key partner in supporting our government’s mandate to increase exports, job creation and innovation in Canada."

“Canadian food exports increased by more than 10 percent in 2020 compared to the previous year, getting

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As part of FCC’s purpose to enhance rural Canada, the self-sustaining Crown corporation continues to invest in communities across the country. In 202021, FCC contributed $1.5 million to 92 community projects. FCC’s annual Drive Away Hunger food drive also provided over 17 million meals for food banks and feeding programs nationwide—another record-breaking year despite disruptions caused by the global pandemic.

FCC contributed to Ag in the Classroom, local clubs under 4-H Canada and promoted farm safety through the Canadian Agriculture Safety Association and support of STARS air ambulance service.

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“A year marked by COVID-19 highlighted the importance of something that has always mattered to us: giving back to the communities where we live and work,” Hoffort said. “Looking ahead, there is a lot of important work to do as we grow the next generation of producers, support sustainability and promote a more inclusive industry, including the delivery of our Indigenous lending strategy.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FCC will hold an online annual public meeting on August 18, 2021. Details will be posted on the FCC website. A full copy of the annual report can be found at www.fcc.ca/annualreport.

2020-2021 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE:

• Total portfolio of $41.5 billion.

• Net income of $812.5 million, allowing for reinvestment in agriculture and food through funding new loans and developing knowledge, products and services for customers.

• This year, FCC withheld paying a dividend to the federal government as part of the capital response to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.

• Disbursements totaling $13.2 billion.

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FCC is Canada’s leading agriculture and food lender, with a healthy loan portfolio of more than $41 billion. Our employees are dedicated to the future of Canadian agriculture and food. We provide flexible, competitively priced financing, management software, information and knowledge specifically designed for the agriculture and food industry. As a self-sustaining Crown corporation, we provide an appropriate return to our shareholder, and reinvest our profits back into the industry and communities we serve.

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THE BEST DEFENSE IS A STRONG OFFENSE PROMOTING THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF MEAT AND POULTRY

By Ronnie P. Cons

Red meat is often wrongly portrayed as being unhealthy. Even chicken has been getting attacked by some in the media as unhealthy or not environmentally friendly.

Vegan, fish and other non-meat diets have been proposed as healthier alternatives. The result of this onslaught of negative meat messages has influenced many families to cut back on their meat and poultry purchases. Perceptions may reality but truth trumps misinformation. Parents and other consumers want what is best for their health and that of their families.

They are also aware that a lot of false information is out there and as such, are open to scientific facts that can correct their misconceptions.

liver, 625 grams of cooked beef or an astounding 2.4 kg of spinach.

Iron found in vegetables is harder to absorb than the iron found in meat as it is attached to fibre which inhibits its absorption.

GOVERNMENT TAKING2.ACTION TO SUPPORT Eat Meat for a Healthier Brain!

Being deficient inWEATHER the micronutrients found in meat have been FARMERS FACING EXTREME

This provides an opportunity for retail meat departments The Government of Canada has announced it is taking to implement an instore ‘Healthy Meat Facts’ nutritional action to deliver the necessary support and resources campaign to set the record straight and convince their for producers areas by actually extremegood weather. customers thatin meat andaffected poultry are for one’s health and that they should increase rather than decrease

theirannouncement purchases of it. The belowMariecan have The wascampaign made byoutlined Ag Minister a direct Bibeau impact on sales: Claude after having spent the day meeting with Start by displaying instore posters promotingInterlake the nutritional drought-impacted farmers in Manitoba’s value ofto meat. shouldhow be innovative, eye catching and Region see They first-hand drought conditions are be designed to specifically contradict any meat myths.

The creating crop losses, affecting crop quality, and reducing comments should all be literature based quoting research forage and water supplies available to livestock. The papers or MDs for maximum effect. Various posters should Minister accompanied bypowerful representatives be made was - each with a brief but message from covering Manitoba one theme.Beef Producers, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and Keystone Agricultural Producers.

Posters can convey the following healthy meat fact messages:

Minister Bibeau said, “Our Government is working 1. Let’s IRON out the Truth on Meat! closely with our to provincial partners to respond ontoa “You would need eat a massive amount of spinach rapid to content) the evolving drought situation in Western equal basis (the iron in a steak,” says Christopher Golden, an ecologist epidemiologist at help Harvard University in Canada.

I amand here to listen and those farm families Cambridge, Massachusetts.

(As quoted nature.com in the hard hit by this extreme weather.

OurbyGovernment ‘Brain food- clever eating’.) isarticle taking action to help them through the challenges For face a woman receive her recommended daily intake we todaytoand ensure they are supported for aof 18 mg of iron, she would need just 300 grams of cooked bovine sustainable future.”

linked with low IQ, autism, depression and dementia says Dr. Charlotte Neumann, a paediatrician at the University of California, as quoted in the article clever eating’.

Minister Bibeau announced the‘Brain earlyfooddesignation of the

Livestock Taxfor Deferral for prescribed Zinc is crucial learningprovision and memory.

Vitamin B12drought regions of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, preserves the sheaths that protect nerves.

Manitoba andImmunity Ontario.with ThisMeat! will allow beef producers 3.

Boost Your whotoare to sell a significant amountinof their Due its forced antioxidant powers, zinc is involved creating antibodies to fight freetoradicals that increase our for the breeding herd due drought conditions to risk offset chronic diseases. resulting revenues with the costs to replace the herd.

The Government of Canada closely with 4.

Power Your Muscle Growthwill withwork Meat!

The protein governments in meat helps build repair bodytotissues. provincial and and stakeholders continue adding other regions throughout the year as additional Muscles are made of protein.

That is why athletes who are building muscle strength increase their meat consumption. information is collected.

The protein and zinc found in meat are important for muscle growth and repair.

“Livestock, grain and forage producers across Manitoba

5. is the Complete Protein! areMeat concerned about the impact of ongoing drought Meat contains all of the nine essential amino acidsBill that your conditions on their farm operations,” stated body cannot make by itself. Say ‘hello’ to histidine, leucine, Campbell, President, Keystone Agricultural Producers. isoleucine, lycine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, “Now, more ever, important that producers threonine, andthan valine.

Thatitisiswhy meat is called a complete look out for ourselves, our neighbours and our protein.

communities.”

6.

Eat Meat for a Healthy Heart!

Meat contains lots of the B vitamins needed for the production of hormones, red blood cells and for the proper functioning of your nervous system.

Say ‘hello’ to niacin, folic acid, thiamine, biotin, panthothenic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6. They are all found in meat.

The line that ‘the best defense is a good offense’ does not only apply to sports. It also applies to countering negative meat health myths. Implementing an instore ‘Healthy Meat Facts’ nutritional campaign to set the record straight on meat and poultry. It is a good way to go on the offensive by using education your customers and increasing your sales..

Ronnie P. Cons is CEO of C&C Packing Inc., a leading Canadian distributor of meat and poultry. He can be reached at RCons@CCpacking.com.

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22 CANADIAN MEAT BUSINESS September/October 2017

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NSF INTERNATIONAL FOCUSES ON CANADIAN FOOD INDUSTRY WITH NEW WEBSITE FOR SERVICES IN CANADA Global public health organization showcases services for Canada’s growing and fast-changing In addition, Minister Bibeau announced federal food industry support to all Prairie provinces for immediate bilateral NSF International in Canada recently launched a new accredited International Association for Continuing adjustments to the cost-shared- AgriInsurance program website - www.nsfcanada.ca to give Canada’s growing Education and Training (IACET) site. Topics include HACCP, to make drought-damaged crops available for feed. and complex food and beverage industry easy access food safety and quality, GFSI benchmarked standards, These measures will increase the amountexpertise of cropsand to the global public health organization’s regulations (including FSMA), food science, food packaging, services in Canada.

The website combines information food microbiology and ISO standards. Training modalities available for livestock producers in this time of need. on the depth, experience and capabilities of the NSF include eLearning, on-site, customized and open enrolment.

Minister Bibeau also jointly announced Manitoba’s International Canadian office with access to NSF Additionally, the website includes information about proposal to expedite any payments under the Hay International’s global services dedicated to food safety management system registrations for the food, automotive, Disaster Benefit. and quality. environmental, security, medical devices, Minister Bibeauinformation repeated the Government of Canada’s Evolving regulations across countries and increasing aerospace and chemical industries, as well as for Ontario AgriRecovery assessments are underway with Manitoba offer to raise the AgriStability compensation rate from complexities associated with a globalized food supply drinking water programs. and network the other provinces impacted byInternational the drought, to 80% and urged Prairie governments to match present challenges for NSF clients in 70% Visit the new Canadian website at www.nsfcanada.ca to review the food including Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Thisservices wouldcapabilities providevideo, farmers across the country an Canada and around the world. The new Canadian website it.safety find a list of Canadian food experts, learn Columbia.

The Government of to Canada will collaborate additional $75 million per year, benefitting about upcoming events and global news releases, adistressed question offers expertise and services help companies navigate YesGroup_CanadianMeatBusiness-Qtr-pg.pdf 1 submit 2014-05-16 1:20:17 PMor read an FAQ. who need help now more than ever. challenges, including certification withthese provincial governments to gather alland theauditing, necessary farmers consulting, services,to training and the education, information astechnical fast as possible evaluate food and label compliance, packaging, and extraordinary costs faced by producers and product provideand process development. joint support as required. This could include direct NSF International’s Canadian provides information assistance to producers for the website added cost of livestock on the following services: feed, transportation and water infrastructure.

Certification & auditing: Third-party food safety audits and certifications, are integral components Provinces affected bywhich drought can invoke the lateof supplier selection and regulatory compliance. Accurate participation provision of AgriStability to allow audits are the first step toward successful verification producers who have not yet enrolled to access of a company’s food safety system, providing improved program supports. canconfidence. also applyCertifications for interim brand protectionProducers and customer payments under whichand canproduce help them and audits areAgriStability, available for animal in thecope industry, GFSI certification and management withagriculture immediate financial challenges. system registration.

TylerConsulting: Fulton, President, Manitoba Beef Producers A full-service team approach providing resources, expertise and insight for a wide range said,technical “Drought conditions are exacting a heavy toll on of food safety and quality services.

NSF International Manitoba’s beef sector, forcing producers to make provides finished product inspection testing for food, difficult management decisions about the size of their packaging and non-food testing for rapid analysis and herds going forward. MBP is working with the federal insight to protect the brand, technical support services and from provincial and Manitoba Agricultural on-sitegovernments temporary or permanent technical staffing Services Corporation on strategies to assist producers placements, and various types of consulting. on both an immediate and a longer-term basis. This Technical services: A one-stop solution for food product includes gainingand access to alternate feed sources such compliance formulation, from concept to finished as crops damaged by the drought, as well as other product, including food and label compliance, packaging, productaimed and process development, and shelf-life and initiatives at helping producers deal with the product evaluation. effects of this very serious situation.”

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Training and education: Training for the global food and beverage industry across the supply chain as an meatbusiness.ca meatbusinesspro.com

September/October 2017 MEAT BUSINESS 23 15 August 2021CANADIAN MEATBUSINESSPRO

QUICK FACTS • Producers have access to a suite of Business Risk Management programs to help them manage significant risks that threaten the viability of their farm and are beyond their capacity to manage.

Minister Bibeau also echoed a recent Farm Credit Canada (FCC) announcement of a customer support program for farmers and ranchers across western Canada facing financial challenges due to adverse growing conditions. FCC will work with customers to come up with individual solutions for their operations and will consider additional short term credit options, deferral of principal payments and/or other loan payment schedule amendments to reduce financial pressures on those impacted by unfavourable weather conditions.

Extreme weather conditions, exacerbated by climate change, are challenging farmers across Canada. Now is the time for governments and all Canadians to rally around those who work tirelessly to put food on our tables each and every day. The Government of Canada stands with farmers during this difficult time, and is listening to their needs and taking action to respond.

During a crisis such as this, farmers facing the stress and uncertainty of providing for their families may suffer serious mental health impacts. Those needing help are encouraged to reach out for support, and can contact The Do More Ag Foundation, a not-for-profit organization focusing on mental health in agriculture across Canada.

• The Livestock Tax Deferral provision allows livestock producers in these regions who reduced their breeding herds by at least 15% due to drought or flooding, to defer a portion of their 2021 income from sales until the 2022 tax year, when the income may be at least partially offset by the cost of reacquiring breeding animals, which may reduce their potential tax burden.

Eligible regions are identified based on weather, climate and production data, in consultation with industry and provinces. The criteria for identifying regions for Livestock Tax Deferral is forage shortfalls of 50% or more caused by drought or excess moisture. AAFC officials will continue to monitor weather, climate and production data from across Canada and will add regions to the list when they meet the eligibility criteria.

When prescribed regions are identified, the list is announced publicly and posted to this web page.

• AgriRecovery is an federal-provincial-territorial disaster relief framework intended to work together with the core BRM programs to help agricultural producers recover from natural disasters. AgriRecovery helps with the extraordinary costs associated with recovering from disaster events.

• AgriStability is one of the BRM programs under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. It protects Canadian producers against large declines in farming income for reasons such as production loss, increased costs and market conditions. While the deadline to enroll for the 2021 program year has passed, provinces may request late participation to make the program available to other producers during a crisis situation.

• An interim payment under AgriStability is based on estimates of a participant’s program year production margin and reference margin. To receive an interim payment, the participant’s estimated reference margin must decline by more than 30% of their estimated reference margin. Participants can apply for an interim payment to access program funds early.

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CAN EGGS CRACK WORLD HUNGER? For stunning to be considered humane, the stunning Every night, approximately 690 million people around the world go to bed hungry, with 270 million “marching toward starvation,” according to David Beasley, executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

For these people, a basic meal is even further out of reach as coronavirus joins conflict, climate change and economic troubles in increasing levels of hunger around the world.

Sadly, the problem of food security is set to get worse, with the world’s population expected to increase by 2 billion in the next 30 years, putting more pressure on already limited resources.

Many scientists believe we need to find new, sustainable ways to produce enough food to satisfy everyone, or risk more starvation and habitat loss, with one study estimating farmers would have to clear an area at least the size of Mexico to grow enough crops to feed everyone.

keep our nervous system, bones and muscles healthy.

Eating an egg a day can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke according to scientists in China, while another study links them to good eyesight. Egg consumption can also help young children grow and aid cognitive development, making eggs an efficient, and scalable way of improving child nutrition, especially in developing countries.

“The consequences of poor nutrition not only have life‐long consequences for a child but also for the economic development of a country, [so] the potential contribution of eggs to brain development is particularly noteworthy,” the researchers of one leading study write.

Saul Morris, director of services at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) told the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Forum: “Eggs can be produced at prices which make them accessible even to the moderately poor,” suggesting they could prove to be a good option in helping to solve the global food shortage.

GOOD EGGS While no one solution or food can crack the problem of world hunger, the humble egg could play an essential role in future food systems around the world.

Eggs are packed with high quality protein, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. They are rich in selenium, which helps our immune system to function, plus vitamins to 18

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EGGS IN AFRICA

DF: I don’t think being on the island has really impacted us negatively one way or the other. We’ve traveled a lot, The protein-power eggs provide is met a lot of other farmers and livestock desperately needed in Eswatini in southern producers in other parts of Canada, and Africa, where quarter of the children under five we all a seem to have same issues years oldand aresame malnourished due to a myriad concerns.

of factorsCMB: including unemployment, high I understand that your farm rates of HIV recurrent droughts, was and the first in Atlantic Canada towhich be all adversely affect food security. involved in the TESA program.

DF: Yes, I think we were the first farm

In Eswatini, multi-commodity eastaof2,500-acre Ontario as far as I understand. farm thatI’mis not home 5,000 hens is meeting sureto why the eastern this challenge by providing eggs every associations wouldn’t 4,000 have previously nominated anybody because there are day to hungry children, many of whom many farms here on PEI doing have lost their parents to AIDS. Set every up by as Africa much as we are as attain a of the Heartbitfor charity, EggtoFarmers high level of sustainability. Anyway, Canada helped transform a patch of barren we were very surprised when the PEI land into a farm with two highly efficient Cattleman’s Association nominated our egg barns, as one of a number of projects it farm. supports.

CMB: And then you were attending the Canadian Beef conference in Calgary With no and roads, youwater won. or electricity, it was

a huge project. “Everything is hard here.

DF: Yeah! That was a very nice moment We take two steps forward, and three steps for us. But I don’t like to use the back,” says Janine Maxwell co-founder word win actually.

However, being of Heart forrecognized Africa. But strong partnerships for our commitment was made it possible. a real honour. If you want to know the truth, it was a pretty humbling experience.

AsFarmers I said to CBC when they Volunteers from Egg of Canada phoned me after the conference, I was designed the barns, while a local commercial just floored, really couldn’t believe it. egg farm in Eswatini provided young hens So nowegg thatfarmer, you haveRoger been and feed.CMB: Canadian recognized, do you think that willbarns, Pelissero, helped pick a spot for the draw more attention and garner morecool. which have open sides to keep the hens nominations out of Atlantic Canada “Recently the temperature reached 43°C, but going forward? the wind from the hillside helps,” he says.

DF: Absolutely. We’ve gotten a lot of good press highlighting the island cattle industry. I’m positive you’ll see more farms in our neck of the woods nominated next year. And I have to give the Canadian Cattleman’s Association recognition for choosing a farm from Prince Edward Island. We are small players in the national beef industry and I think it was a real credit to their organization to recognize us. They treated all the nominees royally and it was a real class act. It was a wonderful experience.

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He arrived at the orphanage just before his second birthday suffering with the effects of AIDS, and was so malnourished he weighed less than half that of a healthy child his age. Jonathan barely had the strength to move, but protein from eggs helped him rebuild muscle, so that just two years later, he won the class award for best athlete. “I almost burst into tears,” says Ian Maxwell. “Love and medical care is really important, but nutrition is critical. Eggs are the perfect protein for our kids.”

The barns may be simple, but they boast one unique feature. “The roads are so poor we couldn’t deliver the eggs uncooked … and locals didn’t necessarily have the cooking facilities at churches or schools,” Tim Lambert, CEO of Egg Farmers of Canada explains. To overcome this, engineers came up with a boiler to cook the eggs, while a food scientist developed another solarpowered machine that cools and preserves them in a lime solution, sealing the outside of the shells. “It's all set up to work in the conditions we have in the region,” Lambert says. The equipment enables eggs to be stored for 30 days with no refrigeration, making it easier to get them into the hands of children, because they are sturdier to transport.”

The Canadian volunteers trained locals to operate the egg boiling machines as well as look after the birds. Like on any farm, work begins early and workers check the hens’ supplies and health, collecting eggs twice a day.

“They’re now able to achieve efficiencies in line with the US, Canada and the UK. They're doing a fantastic job,” Pelissero says.

EGG-CEPTIONAL BENEFITS Not getting enough protein at a young age is one important factor in stopping children reaching their full potential, says Lambert. “It's profoundly important, not only that we feed people, but that we introduce high quality protein,” he adds.

The six-year partnership has seen the production of more than six million eggs, feeding 3,500 children every week from schools and churches, as well as the charity’s orphanage, which is home to 275 children including Jonathan.

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Food insecurity is not just a problem in Africa, with families in some of the world’s richest nations missing meals. In Canada, one in five children go to school on an empty stomach, so Egg Farmers of Canada provides eggs for school breakfast programmes. “We're also very involved in food banks and have donated millions of eggs this year,” Lambert says.

In Eswatini, egg farming creates vital jobs as well as providing nutrition. “Anyone who is willing to work is employed,” says Janine Maxwell. The farmers learn new skills from Egg Farmers of Canada volunteers, including crop rotation and animal husbandry. “They can take that knowledge home to keep their own chickens healthy,” Janine Maxwell says.

The Eswatini operation employs 313 locals, enabling them to pay for food, electricity and school fees. “The ripple effect through the community is huge,” says Lambert.

Before the chicken barns were built, the Maxwells saw only darkness and the occasional orange glow of cooking fires when they looked towards the hills at night. Now, their neighbours’ houses are lit using electricity. “This helps families prepare meals and children, who now go to school, to do some reading. It’s made a huge difference,” Pelissero says. meatbusinesspro.com

Lambert is among the experts who hope we may see more egg farming in the developing world, bringing nutrition and wealth. Colleen Farrell, a technical adviser at the charity CARE, told the FAO Forum that “egg production can offer an additional source of household income, providing families with more resources to mitigate the effects of poverty and food insecurity.”

While the farm has changed the landscape dramatically, its environmental footprint is small so it can be cheaply and easily maintained, and it’s set to shrink further with the installation of a solar farm. “Our electrical needs in the daytime will be pretty much satisfied,” says Ian Maxwell. The farm’s efficiency measures follow a trend in the industry which already has one of the lowest environmental impacts of any form of animal agriculture. In Canada, the environmental footprint of the egg production supply chain declined by almost 50% between 1962 and 2012, while egg production increased by 50%. “There’s even an egg farm striving to be net zero in Alberta,” says Pelissero.

What comes next?

In Eswatini, egg farming produces food and hope.

“When people walk in the gates to work and the egg truck goes out to deliver, that’s hope. It’s life-giving,” Ian Maxwell says. The project has overcome hurdles that have blighted others, such as the availability and cost of equipment and feed, providing a blueprint for success that could be replicated in the right conditions.

“You need stability, young hens, feed, and people who can do the work and build knowledge,” Lambert says, adding that while this mixture can sometimes be hard to find, egg farming is relatively easy to set up and scale.

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While small projects are the easiest to set up, Morris says, “small producers can only boost rural consumption in a handful of countries where poultry ownership is unusually high,” whereas large farms hold the key to bringing down prices ‘significantly’ and allowing more poor households to access the benefits that eggs bring.

This has already been seen in Thailand, and with three quarters of the world's egg production concentrated in just 14 countries, there is a huge opportunity to share the benefits more widely.

However, more work is needed across all agricultural sectors to provide enough food for everyone in a more sustainable way. As Beasley put it when he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the WFP: “Failure to prevent famine in our day will destroy so many lives and cause the fall of much we hold dear.”

While eggs are part of the answer, a variety of solutions are required. After all, “The power of food, the power of love and the power of hope – it all works together,” says Ian Maxwell.”

Article courtesy of Egg Farmers of Canada. For more information, visit https://www.eggfarmers.ca/

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BEEF FOR GENERATIONS

By Wayne Greene and Evelyn Greene Beef has been on the dinner table throughout our history in modern society. When humankind transitioned from being hunters and gathers to farmers and ranchers, efficiency of our food supply chain increased. The efficiency of producing food has continued to increase throughout our recent past generations.

Statistics show that in the 1930s one farmer fed four other people. In the 1970s the statistic was 73 people; and today, one farmer feeds approximately 170 people.

The data indicates that one farmer has increased the number of people fed by two individuals each year since the Great Depression. Prior to 1950 the increase was only one person per year; but, during the latter half of the 20th century the annual increase in the number of people a farmer fed was 2.4 people. This rapid shift in the increase of efficiency of the American farmer and rancher is directly related to the development and implementation of technology in modern day agriculture. This is especially true for beef production systems. Today, the innovative development of genetics, management, nutrition and reproduction technologies into cow herds results in 36% fewer cattle needed to produce the same amount of beef that was produced in 1975. Implementation of these technologies developed by scientists at land grant universities, USDA and private industry has been the foundation of the increased efficiency in beef production.

Unfortunately, the rate of growth in the number of people fed by the American farmer and rancher is decreasing. Within the last decade the rate of growth in the efficiency of one farmer or rancher

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feeding others declined from 2.4 to 1.4 persons per year. We believe a reason for the recent loss of efficiency growth is in part related to the many areas of activism negatively affecting the development and implementation of technology in farming and ranching.

Activists, under the banner of animal care and wellbeing, environmental sustainability, greenhouse gas production, animal harvest for food, deforestation and many other areas, negatively affect food production.

At a time in our history when agricultural lands are being consumed by urban sprawl amidst a rapidly growing world population, the need for increasing the number of people a single farmer or rancher can feed is increasingly important. Increasing the efficiency and quantity of food production is imperative to provide food security in future generations.

As farming and ranching developed, beef (and other farm-raised animal protein) became a staple on the plate. Beef has been in the human diet worldwide for generations. Beef provides needed high-quality protein supplying dietary essential amino acids, vitamins and

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minerals for a healthy lifestyle. It fits well in a balanced diet for growth, health, reproduction and maintenance of the human population. However, beef is being threatened by activists from many different angles.

There has been a growing campaign to take beef (and meat in general) off the table. In the past, animal protein production faced animal care and well-being, animal harvest for food, greenhouse gas production and other issues brought forth by animal activists. Recently, it has faced the challenges of fake meat, lab-grown meat and alternative protein as a replacement for beef (and meat) to maintain its place on the table. Activists are working hard to take the farm animal out of the food equation.

Additionally, cows and growing cattle, along with pork and poultry, are fed feedstuffs that contain by-products of other industries that are not feasible for human consumption.

These include cotton industry by-products, corn distillers’ grains generated by the use of corn grain for alcohol production and corn gluten and corn bran generated from the production of starch and corn oil. Wheat used for the production of flour generates significant amounts of by-products not consumed by humans to include screenings, bran and germ that is targeted for food animal feeds. Corn, wheat and other grains that do not meet the specifications as food grade are destined for animal feeds. Citrus pulp, apple pomace, potato waste and hundreds of other by-products are found in animal feeds—products humans do not eat. Without farm animals producing high-quality protein for a consuming public, all of these Proposed 30,000-square-foot beef abattoir in Cloverdale would be B.C.’s largest such facility by-products would create a significant environmental

By Amy Reid, Peace Arch News hazard by their disposal into waste dumps. These so as toare not emit odours. Andand whilenever there is presented an operational by the A federally licensed beef processing facility is in the works stories overlooked 6,000-square-foot abattoir on the property now, it’s can in Surrey, BC. activists working to remove beef (and other meat) from only process a limited number of cattle.

“There’s a new building coming forward, a new abattoir, I the diet.

Chris Les is general manager of Meadow Valley Meats, think that’s the French pronunciation of slaughterhouse,” the company behind the project. Meadow Valley Meats is said Councillor Mike Starchuk. “So Surrey will have a seeking a Canadian Food Inspection Agency license for facility with we a better capacity so people At a time in thenewer world when must increase thewill have the proposed abattoir, to become a federally registered the ability to not have to ship an animal to Alberta to have quantity and efficiency ofThe food production to through prevent meat establishment and expand the operation. This would it processed. applications have gone the allow the meat products to be transported beyond B.C.’s and Food Sustainability Committee.” food insecurity,Agricultural it does not make sense toAdvisory remove boundaries.

The facility is proposed on a 25-acre property farm animals from the food equation.

There is nowithin the “Our focus is on trying to bring a more efficient, sustainable Agricultural Land Reserve at 5175 184th St. The planned other replacement for the efficiency of a cow (and local product to the market, realizing we can do that now 30,000-square foot abattoir in Cloverdale would process up her offspring) harvesting own food by grazing in a very limited sense,” said Les. “I caution people when to 100 head ofher cattle per day. talking to them and they say, ‘What a big plant, that’s going grass and otherAccording foragestowhile converting itmake intoithigha city report, that would larger than to go allow you to go mainstream.’ Well, yes, if you look any and other processing facility in B.C..

But itThe would still be quality, nutritious healthy human foods. in the context of B.C., but this is still a very niche plant small by industry standards, compared to the largest meat lands used for this activity are most often agricultural and we’ll serve a niche industry for producers and for the processing plants in Alberta that process 3,000 heads of market. It’s certainly not going to be a monstrosity of a plant lands not conducive today. producing any other foodstuff. cattle per

NEW SURREY SLAUGHTERHOUSE ‘WOULD OPEN DOOR’ TO NEW BEEF MARKETS

The proposed facility would be fully enclosed and designed

but it’ll be a big upgrade from the site currently.”

Continued on page 32

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If beef continues to be a staple to provide high-quality protein for generations to come, we have to become the activist. Activist is defined as a person who campaigns to bring about political or social change.

Those that we think of today as animal activists are those that focus on animal care and well-being, environmental issues, animal harvest for food, health for the consuming public and other issues in order to “save the animal from human consumption.” However, the farmer and rancher is focused on the very same issues except in the direction of using animals to serve humankind by providing a “wholesome, safe, healthy and high-quality protein for human consumption” to feed a hungry world.

Stop and think about what the world looks like tomorrow if the activists working against beef as a safe, healthy, nutritious product for a world population were immediately granted their desires, which would mean “No Beef on the Dinner Table.”

The North American Meat Institute reported in a 2012 Meat and Poultry Economic Impact Study that the combined impact of the meat and poultry processing industry contributed approximately $894 billion in total to the U.S. economy, or just under 6% of total U.S. GDP. Based on a 2014 economic analysis, beef cattle production contributed approximately $165 billion to the U.S. economy through direct and indirect economic employment opportunities. And these statistics have continued to increase to present day. The nation and world cannot afford to remove these products from the marketplace, either economically or nutritionally.

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS: 1) Is this what our society needs? 2) Would the world be healthier? 3) Would our environment be improved?

4) Would animals (beef, pork, poultry) lead long and happy lives without the fear of being eaten (by humans or animals of prey)?

The answer to these questions is NO, because 1) Our diet needs to contain high-quality protein that supplies dietary essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals that are readily available from animal products: meat, milk, eggs, 2) lean beef and other animal protein (eggs, milk and milk products) are recognized as major nutrient dense foods needed for a healthy lifestyle, 3) food animals convert feedstuffs and by-products not directly consumed by humans that otherwise would not have a value for feeding humans and 4) if food animals were not used for food, they would not be needed in the animal kingdom and would likely become extinct. Additionally, society would likely face a severe food shortage and economic crisis, the likes of what has never been realized in modern history in this country.

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The call by the activist to take animal protein off the table must never become a reality. However, if we do not step forward and stand tall to fight the fight it will become a reality within the generation of millennials.

If no action is taken, society will have to address many issues that currently do not exist.

Some of these are: What happens to the food animals worldwide if they are not used to supply a healthy wholesome protein for humans—their only value will be in zoos? What happens to the welfare of these animals—no one will be able to afford to provide quality care and well-being if they are not productive or valued by society? Without being a valuable food staple on the table, food animals will go the way of feral hogs and unwanted horses to be released into the wild creating significant environmental damage if not controlled.

Without cattle, the non-cultivatable land in the world not conducive to growing crops will have no economic value. Many by-products of multiple industries will not be utilized. Rangelands world-wide will not be valued for their contribution to food production. At a time when world food hunger and world-wide food security is “front and center,” does it really make sense to give the activist what they ask for?

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and well-being to provide a valued life for animals and the production and delivery of safe and wholesome nutritious food. This is what we do in beef production and all of animal agriculture. If we do not take our message to the consuming public, someone else will.

And their agenda is to take meat off the table. Since the Meatless Monday movement began in 2003, it has taken hold in over 40 countries and adapted in over 22 different languages simply because of the presentation that it’s “good for you” and “good for the planet.” We know beef is good for you and good for the planet, but does the public?

Balance is the foundation to success. When the scale gets tipped one way or the other too far in either direction, it requires a readjustment to gain a “new normal.” The activists work to slowly and methodically shift the fulcrum to the left, creating change (and then readjustment of balance) in the direction of their goal.

Unfortunately, the work of the activists do not have farmers, ranchers or the consumer’s interest within their heart. They do not seem to see (or even care) where the balance point should be placed. Activists tout healthy food, clean environment and animal care as their concerns. And, consequently, their message gets millions of people joining their cause (and oftentimes unknowingly) targeted toward destroying the food animal industry.

Let’s look at this from a different perspective. Is the American farmer and rancher focused on producing a healthy, high-quality product while maintaining our environment for the next generations while simultaneously providing quality animal care and well-being for the animals in their care? The answer is certainly, yes. We know that—but does the world?

The public will “stand up” in support of environmental management for future generations, quality animal care

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In society, each crisis is overcome in some way or other. The direction of that solution depends upon those providing solutions. The farmer and rancher have always been innovative in sustaining their livelihood through the hard times and good times. Otherwise, the dramatic increases in production efficiency presented at the beginning of this article would not have been a reality. Our forefathers stood tall and fought for a better way. Today we have to do the same. We have to continue to be innovative in the way we do things in developing a safe and wholesome product for our future generations. Farm-level innovation over the past decades includes the incorporation of improved genetics, better management, enhanced efficiency and greater productivity. All of these things have led to an enhanced environment for future generations and the sustainability of our food supply. This is very ironic because the environment and sustainability of beef production is often presented in a negative light by antibeef activists, and beef production is indeed sustainable while utilizing waste products from other industries.

In fact, beef production adds sustainability to other industries. Very few industries can claim such a positive movement in efficiency and sustainability. In order to feed our future generations beef (and other animal protein), we must continue this fight.

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Today, individuals, activists and politicians are working against us. We believe balance is a key to our continued success. We need balance across all sources of protein for a well-balanced diet. Looking ahead to meet the global food security challenges, we need to recognize it will take balance between both plant and animal products. It will take innovation and adoption of best practices to ensure all global food security. We must continue our efforts to increase the efficiency of all food production, including animal protein. The future of beef for generations depends upon it.

We are thankful that every day we have our industry checkoff funds providing quality data and information, our national and state cattle organizations providing leadership, scientists providing new technology, media outlets providing quality information and farmers and ranchers working hard to deliver a quality product.

But that’s not enough—we have to do more. In order to sustain beef for generations, it will take activism.

We must fight activism with activism, just as we fight fire with fire. It’s time we set a backfire along the inner edge of the fire line to consume the fuel in the path of the activists that are so focused on destroying the consumption of animal protein. It is our call to produce a wholesome, healthy, high-quality protein, to provide quality care and well-being for animals in our control and to not only sustain but to improve the environment for generations to come. If we have beef for generations, it will take all of us—individuals and organizations—to continue putting beef on the table.

We challenge you as a reader of this article to become an activist. Be an activist for beef. You make a difference. All of us worldwide want a safe healthy wholesome protein on the dinner plate produced in an environment that is sustainable for generations to come. We promote the same message as animal activists except from a different side of the fulcrum. In animal agriculture, we are the original animal activists.

Let’s stand up and be an activist for change in the right direction. Our next generation is dependent upon it.

ABOUT WAYNE GREENE: Wayne Greene is department head and professor in the Department of Animal Sciences in Auburn University’s College of Agriculture. He is a beef cattle nutritionist and widely published in the scientific literature focused on the development and implementation of technology for increased efficiency in beef cattle production systems.

ABOUT EVELYN GREENE: Evelyn Greene is president of the American National Cattlewomen’s Association. Her presidential theme is #beef4generations.

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For the second time the Canadian Beef Industry Conference will be hosted virtually from August 31-September 2, 2021, presented by McDonald’s Canada.

The Conference has created a new virtual format this year and the theme is “A Whole New World – Globally, Nationally, Locally”. Each morning will start with keynotes and up-to-date industry topics followed by courses and breakout sessions in the afternoon.

DR. ROBERT THIRSK

Registration is now open at www. canadianbeefindustryconference.com. The cost of this year’s event is $80 + GST and includes access to all content plus recordings following the conference.

One of the keynote speakers is Dr. Robert Thirsk, (presented by UFA) who is one of nine Canadian astronauts to fly into space. Also featured will be John Scott (presented by MNP) who is renowned for weaving the preferences of the evolving consumer into the dynamics of the food industry.

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OTHER PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• A night of cards and camaraderie at the Charity Poke Tournament presented by MNP • Discussions on how for the producer to increase consumer engagement • Gate to Plate marketing course • Ranching for Profit course • Economic updates • And more!

Each session will conclude with a live question and answer period. If you are unable to attend live but would still like a copy of the recording, go ahead and register to ensure you have access.

To stay up-to-date on the virtual conference details and events, visit www.canadianbeefindustryconference.com and follow the CBIC on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for updates.

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FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES FINALLY GET FAIR PLAYING FIELD TO SELL TO NEXT GENERATION

By Jonathan Alward 2021 has been a hellish year so far for many agribusinesses across Canada. From dealing with ongoing COVID-19 problems and labour shortages, to increasing input costs and record-breaking droughts, there have been no lack of alarming challenges for producers and processors.

Fortunately, there is finally some good news to share for the many family-run agri-businesses. Bill C-208, the Act to Amend the Income Tax Act (transfer of small business or family farm or fishing corporation), is now respected as law. Finally, family-run agri-businesses will be able to sell to the next generation at the same lower tax rate as selling to an outside company.

Bill C-208 fixes a huge problem. As we wrote earlier this year, nearly three quarters of businesses owners (72%) were planning to exit their business within the next 10 years (before the pandemic began). The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) estimated in 2018 that $1.5 trillion worth of assets will be transferred to a new generation of Canadian entrepreneurs over this period. Additionally, almost half of small business owners (46%) want to have their children take over the family business. Family succession is the case, even more so, among agribusinesses.

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However, the (now former) rules in the Income Tax Act discouraged owners from selling their business to family members, as it was more advantageous from a tax perspective to sell to an unrelated third party. This is because the sale of assets to family members was considered a dividend, whereas selling to a third party was considered a capital gain. As a result, business owners who sold to their children could not access the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) and therefore faced a much higher tax bill.

CFIB was very supportive of Bill C-208 and pushed all Members of Parliament and Senators to quickly pass the legislation. This private Members’ Bill, sponsored

by MP Larry Maguire, was far from a certainty to get passed though. Afterall, similar legislation had been brought forward twice before – by Liberal and New Democratic Party MPs – without success. But as they say, ‘third time’s a charm,’ and the Bill received Royal Assent on June 29th.

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I raise this long, complex story to show that some in government still don’t recognize the important and completely legitimate role that family members play within a business – from farms to retailers – but also to clear-up the huge amount of misinformation that has resulted from the government flip-flopping on the issue.

Simply put, it you are a part of one of the many familyrun agri-businesses that are currently drawing your retirement plans, there is a new tool for you to keep the business within your family for many years to come.

This can now be done as fairly as it should have been for years already.

It was critical the Bill passed quickly though, not just because of how unfair and significant the problem was that it was addressing, but because a federal election is imminent. It also couldn’t have come at a better time because the pandemic forced many business owners to rethink and redraw their own retirement plans. In fact, seven-in-ten business owners agreed in February that COVID-19 changed their thinking about how they plan to retire or exit their business.

Despite this, the challenges with selling your business to your family member weren’t over on June 29th when this legislation received Royal Assent. Breaking with tradition, the federal government announced the following day it would delay implementation of the changes until 2022, after they would introduce their own legislation to amend the very changes that just received Royal Assent.

Many business stakeholders, like myself, that followed Bill C-208 closely were shocked. I can’t remember any Bill being delayed after receiving Royal Assent, let alone see additional changes before it would finally become law.

So now as many businesses recover, owners can have the peace of mind that they can fairly and more affordably pass their business to the next generation as many have long hoped to do.

Finally, there is an important victory for family-owned businesses, and an acknowledgement that the next generation within our family agri-businesses play a critical role in pushing this industry and our economy forward.

To learn more about CFIB’s recommendations to government about business transfers, read Getting the transition right. For more information on CFIB’s recommendations and tools for business owners on succession planning, visit: https://www.cfib-fcei.ca/en/ succession.

Jonathan Alward is the Prairie Region Director for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). CFIB is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 95,000 members (6,000 agri-business members) across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.

It felt like small businesses owners were again being labeled as tax cheats, as was the case in 2017.

Fortunately, the federal government changed their position three weeks later, in the face of significant scrutiny from MPs and business advocates like CFIB. Deputy Prime Minister Freeland affirmed that Bill C-208 is now law. The government will still look to fix a ‘loophole’ in the legislation though in 2022 regarding ‘surplus stripping,’ where some businesses could covert dividends to capital gains without a legitimate transfer of ownership taking place. meatbusinesspro.com

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September/October 2018

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