Ontario PC’S Announce another Ag Survey but This Time Targeting the Food Processing Industry

Nov 01, 2012

Ontario PC’s Seek to Strengthen Ontario’s Food Processing Sector

On Thursday, Ontario’s Agriculture Critic Ernie Hardeman, Member of Provencal Parliament for Oxford announced that the Ontario PC Party has launched a survey for Ontario’s food processing industry to identify some of the key challenges faced by the industry and what can be done to strengthen the sector and increase competitiveness.

“There are over 3,000 food processors in Ontario who have a combined economic impact of $39 billion and employ 120,000 people. This includes large manufacturers as well as local abattoirs, bakeries and wineries,” said Hardeman “We need to ensure that government policies allow our food manufacturers to be successful here at home and allow them to compete around the world.”

Those involved in the food and beverage industry are encouraged to participate and the survey can be accessed online at www.ErnieHardemanMPP.com/processors or to request a hard copy call Mr. Hardeman’s office at call 416-325-1239 or e-mail ernie.hardeman@pc.ola.org.

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.