By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Thursday February 24, 2022

Feb 24, 2022 | 11:23 AM

MELFORT, Sask. — The federal government is putting money towards the wool industry.

Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau said the Canadian Wool Council will receive roughly $150,000 to conduct market research, promote trade and export opportunities, and improve industry and consumer awareness through education and promotional activities.

Bibeau said the demand for natural and environmentally-friendly products continues to grow.

“By promoting the benefits of locally made, sustainable and biodegradable wool products, this initiative will help the Canadian wool industry tap into markets both domestically and around the world,” Bibeau said.

This announcement coincides with the release of a report which maps opportunities for new and existing products in Canada’s carpet sector, which is valued at more than $367 million.

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Applications are being accepted for the second Canadian Agricultural Youth Council.

The group meets regularly with the agriculture minister and departmental officials to discuss the issues of concern for young people working in the agriculture and agri-food sectors and to advise on agriculture-related policies and programs.

The first Canadian Agricultural Youth Council provided feedback on several issues including sustainable agriculture, understanding the challenges around the urban-rural divide, and how best to attract young people to the sector.

The second cohort’s 18-month term will officially start in the summer of 2022 and will be made up of new and returning members.

Young people aged 18 to 30, who work in or study the agriculture and agri-food value chain, can apply here.

The application deadline is March 22.

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Maple Leaf Foods reported its fourth-quarter profits fell compared with a year ago as it faced rising labour and production costs.

The company said it earned $1.9 million for the quarter ended Dec. 31, compared with a profit of $25.4 million in the last three months of 2020.

Maple Leaf said meat protein group sales amounted to nearly $1.09 billion compared with $1.08 billion a year ago, while plant protein sales fell to $45.5 million compared with $52.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Last year, Maple Leaf launched a review of its plant-based food business. The company said the analysis so far shows a clear slowdown in the projected growth rate for the category compared with very high growth rates predicted in 2019, and it is making changes to its strategy for the business.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW