Nova Scotia Weekly Market Report: March 11, 2013 to March 15, 2013

Nova Scotia Weekly Market Report: March 4, 2013 to March 8, 2013

Nova Scotia Weekly Market Report: February 25, 2013 to March 1, 2013

Remember last year…

Bridging the Gap 2012 brought together farmers from different generations, specifically, those who were ready to turn their businesses over to entering farmers, whether it is family succession or outside buyers.  It was a great success full of lots of information, things to think about and challenges identified with farm succession.  One thing I remember from last year is Farm Succession begins on the day you take over the farm, so start thinking about it now.  SAVE THE DATES of March 26 & 27th because ‘Bridging the Gap’ is back for part 2.  The agenda is shaping up to provide a ton of motivation and steps to get you on your way with effective business management and strategic planning as well as dive into some more farm family coaching.   Lots more detail to come very soon

Nova Scotia Weekly Market Report: February 18, 2013 to February 22, 2013

Click the image Below to watch the commercial from the 2013 Super Bowl.

Nova Scotia Weekly Market Report: February 11, 2013 to February 15, 2013

Nova Scotia Weekly Market Report: February 4, 2013 to February 8, 2013

From Atlantic Farm Focus:

An agriculture sector under pressure and a dwindling supply of local livestock for production has lead O.H. Armstrong Limited in Kingston (Nova Scotia) to discontinue it slaughter operations.

The decision means 14 employees who work on the company’s kill floor will lose their jobs on Jan. 25. Those affected are a combination of skilled meat cutters and unskilled labour.

Armstrong general manager Ted Devitt confirmed the action was taken out of economic necessity.

“It is no longer economically feasible to operate a kill operation. We had to let it go.”  Devitt said the move came as no surprise in the industry.  “When we informed the department of agriculture, the resounding response was ‘how have you hung on this long?” reported Devitt.

He added the company has been “hoping for the best over the past two years” and trying to keep the kill service for local producers.  “It is an unfortunate situation and we felt a responsibility to our farmers, but when the (local meat) supply dwindles there is little that can be done.”

Devitt explained Armstrongs needed to slaughter 250 animals per week to meet their production quotas. The company has been averaging only 15-30 animals a week from the local market and been forced to purchase meat from outside suppliers to meet production. With the closure of the kill floor, all meat will come from purchased sources.

While slaughtering on site is no longer an option, Devitt pointed out other facets of Armstrong’s business “are solid” and will remain unchanged.  “O.H. Armstrong will remain a local meat processing facility. That is not going to change,” stressed Devitt.

The company is a provincially inspected meat processor which produces a line of specialty and portion-controlled beef and pork items at the Kingston production facility. It is also a full service food distributor catering to the food service industry in Nova Scotia.  The business was originally established in the early 1900s.

Nova Scotia Weekly Market Report: January 28, 2013 to February 1, 2013