Focus on the highest standards for sustainability, food safety and animal welfare

Ontario's Government announced a $34.5-million investment in Maple Leaf Foods' modern and innovative chicken processing plant in London over the next five years.

 

"This is the largest investment in the history of Ontario's agriculture sector, it demonstrates industry confidence in our growing economy, and it's another example of how we're making Ontario open for business," said Ford. "It's great to see a company like Maple Leaf investing here in London. This innovative new plant will modernize processing and help make Ontario's chicken farmers more competitive."

 

The new plant will focus on the highest standards for sustainability, food safety and animal welfare, and will raise productivity and help increase demand for more chickens from Ontario's farmers.

 

Also in attendance were Monte McNaughton, Minister of Infrastructure and Jeff Yurek, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London and Minister of Transportation.

 

"It is a pleasure to attend this Maple Leaf Foods announcement of a $660-million poultry facility in this community. I am proud to welcome this great news for Southwestern Ontario," said Yurek. "This shows that Ontario is open for business. I want to thank Maple Leaf Foods for continuing to invest in our great province and in Elgin-Middlesex-London."

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.