5 www.SmallFarmCanada.ca TOP: JASMIN MERDAN - ADOBE STOCK | MIDDLE: PEAVEY MART | BOTTOM: JUVER - ADOBE STOCK 4 December 2025 FREE Catalogue NEWS & NOTES HIGH COST OF LOW EMISSIONS “Electric vehicles (EVs) have lower maintenance costs than gas vehicles, but that gets offset by a significantly higher insurance price,” says Matt Dillon executive vice president of national operations of Surex. Surex Insurance authored this study. The study notes maintenance costs are muted by the fact that EVs contain fewer moving parts than gas-powered cars; plus, they don’t require oil changes, spark plug replacement, or transmission work – all of which increase lifetime upkeep costs. “The average cost to insure a gas car annually in Canada in 2025 is $2,289.27, while for an EV, that number is $3,131.43,” says the report, which finds the average electric vehicle in Canada costs 36.8% more to insure than a gas-fuelled counterpart. A key feature of high EV insurance rates is the risk of totalling an automobile following an accident. This happens more frequently because even minor damage to an EV’s battery can lead to replacing the entire unit – a repair that runs as high as $50,000, according to Surex’s report. Source: CanadianUnderwriter.ca PEAVEY MART COMEBACK IN THE WORKS Peavey Mart is planning a comeback after closing all its stores in early 2025 due to financial difficulties. The brand name and intellectual property were purchased by a new ownership group, which aims to relaunch with a more focused strategy. They plan to open seven to 12 stores, primarily in Western Canada, with locations planned for Alberta (such as Spruce Grove, Westlock, Camrose, and Lacombe) and possibly Saskatchewan. BIRD FLU VIRUS FOUND TO SURVIVE IN RAW-MILK CHEESE FOR MONTHS A new study has revealed that the avian influenza virus (H5N1), which spilled over to dairy cows in Texas late 2023, can remain alive in raw-milk cheese for up to four months. This discovery raises concerns for US consumers who enjoy unpasteurized dairy products. Researchers tested cheeses made from raw milk and found that the virus persisted through the cheese-making process and aging when the milk’s acidity was weak (pH 6.6 or 5.8). However, when milk was acidified to pH 5.0 before processing, the virus was completely inactivated. Current US regulations require raw-milk cheeses to age for 60 days before sale, but the study shows this is not enough to eliminate the virus. Scientists recommend extra safety steps such as pasteurizing or acidifying milk before cheese-making to protect public health. In the US with raw-milk products still widely consumed and bird flu circulating in dairy cattle, these measures are critical. Source: Nature.com Is it available at retailers near you? To learn more about the DIRECT RETAIL SALES PROGRAM contact Ashleigh at 1-866-260-7985 ext. 252 or email Subscriptions@SmallFarmCanada.ca NOW STOCKS SMALL FARM CANADA MAGAZINE! St. Thomas, ON
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