USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says farmers have exceeded expectations of corn planting progress in the past week. Even with continued rain showers in many areas, farmers planted 24 per cent of the crop since last week’s crop progress report. As of May 11, 51 per cent of the U.S. crop was planted. That compares with 71 per cent for the same time last year and 77 per cent of the five-year average. Cool weather and cool soils have kept corn emergence to 11 per cent, which is far behind the five-year average of 33 per cent. With the feed costs climbing higher, the progress of this year’s corn crop is attracting a lot of attention in the markets. Click play button below to hear Rippey’s comments on the corn crop.

The USDA is calling for a drastic cut in corn ending stocks for the new crop year. In its first official supply and demand forecast for 2008-09 (released May 9), the department predicts that ending stocks will be down 45 per cent to 763 million bushels. If realized, this would be the lowest since 1995/96. Other highlights from the report:
The 2008/09 U.S. corn crop is projected at 12.1 billion bushels, down 7 per cent from the record 2007/08 crop.
Feed and residual use is projected down 14 per cent as corn feeding declines with increased production of distillers grains, higher corn prices and reduced red meat production.
Ethanol use is projected at 4 billion bushels, up 33 per cent from 2007/08. The slowing pace of plant construction and expansion, and lower capacity utilization are expected to modestly dampen growth in ethanol corn use.
The season-average price is projected at $5.00 to $6.00 per bushel (U.S.), well above the current year’s forecast record of $4.10 to $4.40 per bushel.
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Despite increasing demand for ethanol and animal feed, record high supplies from imports and production have kept total stocks of grain corn at 6.0 million tonnes, 10 per cent higher than March 2007. In its latest stocks report (released May 7), Statistics Canada notes that on-farm stocks of Ontario grain corn rose 18 per cent to a record 2.7 million tonnes. Except for grain for corn and oats, total stocks of major Canadian grains and oilseeds declined compared to March of 2007.
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Hundreds of people got a taste of Ontario Corn Fed Beef at the Good Food Festival in Toronto. The Ontario Cattle Feeders’ Association served more than 25,000 samples during the event, April 25-27 at the International Centre. The display promoted the new Norpac All-Beef Franks and smoked eye of the round. Click the play button below to hear the rave reviews.

The beef industry is welcoming the launch of the McDonald’s Angus burger in Canada. Director of foodservice marketing for the Beef Information Centre Rob Giguere says the new burger is made from all Angus verified supply, sourced from Canadian producers. Laurie Laykish, senior vice-president, menu and strategy, at McDonald’s Canada says the company is proud to support the Canadian beef industry.
“The Quality beef produced by committed ranchers across the country plays an integral part in our efforts to provide our customers with more choices to satisfy a wide range of tastes.”
Click play button below to hear clip of Rob Giguere of BIC on the new McDonald’s Angus burger.

Statistics Canada released the results of its Planting Intentions Report on Monday (April 21). Growers in Ontario and Quebec reported that they intend to plant fewer corn acres this year. The potential acreage in Ontario is pegged at 1.8 million, a decline of 13 per cent. Quebec farmers said they may plant a record 593,100 acres of soybeans this year, up 36.4% from 2007. The previous record was 494,200 acres set in 2004.On the other hand, Ontario farmers intend to plant 6.2% fewer acres in soybeans, taking acreage to 2.1 million acres, the smallest level since 2003. Meanwhile, total area seeded to barley on the Prairies is expected to tumble by 15.4%, or 1.6 million acres, to an estimated 8.7 million acres. This would be well below the five-year average of 10.0 million acres. Prairie farmers reported that they expected to plant 4.1 million acres of oats, a decline of 16.8% or 825,000 acres from the area planted in 2007.
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The Beef Information Centre (BIC) is showcasing “Breakfast” Beef – a new product from Ontario Corn Fed Beef – this week at the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservice Association Show. The new product is excellent for a breakfast item, and an alternative to pea meal bacon. BIC is hosting a booth at the Show – March 2-4 at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto – to discuss how Canadian beef makes sense for restaurant and food service businesses.


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Link to Beef Information Centre Info

Mike McMorris is back in the cattle business. The former Executive Director of the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association has been the general manager of Beef Improvement Ontario (BIO) since February 4. McMorris recently spoke to the News Feed about his decision and about BIO’s focus on providing information that can help farmers find competitive advantages.

Canadians are going to have to get used to paying higher prices at the grocery store as food inflation is just around the corner. That’s the assessment of Dave Sparling, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at the College of Management and Economics at the University of Guelph. The issue has become a hot topic throughout the world, and Canadian consumers and media are beginning to notice. Sparling explains that there are a number of reasons why the price of food is on the rise.

The Ontario Cattle Feeders’ Association served thousands of samples of Ontario Corn Fed Beef to food fans at the Good Food Festival in Toronto. The event was held April 25 to 27 at the International Centre. OCFA had a strong presence at the Show, teaming up with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Ontario Potato Growers, to promote Ontario-grown food. OCFA Executive Director Jim Clark says the Festival is a great way to raise awareness among consumers, as well as retailers.

Meet Bob Brander, President of the Ontario Cattle Feeders’ Association and Ontario Corn Fed Beef Inc. Bob farms between Brampton and Caledon in Peel Region. He takes the reins from Curtis Royal who completed his term in 2007-08, and is now Vice President of the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association. In this interview, Bob discusses in his involvement in the cattle industry and his goals for Corn Fed Beef.