2024 - Page 4 of 174 -

Restraining order halts Alternative Animal Auction in Ohio

A severely emaciated White Park cow for sale at the Mt. Hope Auction (PETA photo).

SALEM, Ohio — A judge for the U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio issued a temporary restraining order against the popular Mt. Hope Alternative Animal Auction in Millersburg, Ohio, a multi-day-long auction where over 200 different species of domestic and exotic animals are sold, citing the auction’s violation of the Animal Welfare Act.

A preliminary complaint filed on Sept. 6 cited numerous and repeated violations of the law, spanning from inadequate veterinary care and unsafe housing of animals in enclosures, to improper animal handling, inaccurate record keeping and sales of animals from unlicensed sellers.

This year’s auction, which was set to take place Sept. 19-21, was canceled, according to the auction’s website, due to the temporary restraining order. In a statement online and on their Facebook Page, Mt. Hope wrote, “We are very sorry to do this so close to the auction but do not feel comfortable attempting to hold the sale. We apologize to all of our customers but feel this is the best decision at this time.”

Mt. Hope Auction President Thurman Mullet declined to comment pending further litigation.

The complaint

According to the complaint, since 2022, Mt. Hope has been cited by USDA for neglecting to provide 39 different animals at its facility during the Alternative Animal Auctions with proper veterinarian care. The court provided a detailed account of events that took place at Alternative Animal Auctions with photographs, including government inspectors’ discovery in September 2022 of a small, dead ram in the facility’s main sale barn.

The inspectors concluded that the auction staff had not carried out enough daily observations to notice the dead ram or to determine that it required veterinary care before it died.

On the last day of the September 2023 auction, inspectors saw a calf lying down with its back legs splayed. A member of the public reported that the calf, which was later found to be unable to walk, had been in the same position since the day before. More animals in the fall 2023 auction, including two nilgai, a kind of Asian antelope, and several cattle, were discovered to be malnourished with ribs, scapula, pelvic bones and individual vertebrae exposed.

The complaint said that although Mt. Hope Auction has made clear that buyers and sellers are responsible for the animals they consign, the auction has not ensured that there are enough staff members on duty to effectively monitor the health and welfare of the thousands of animals at the auction each day and to promptly report any problems to the attending veterinarian.

“The lack of diligence regarding the health and well-being of the thousands of animals that are part of the Alternative Animal Auctions has caused many animals to suffer, and will continue to do so unless (Mt. Hope) and its attending veterinarian alter their practices in compliance with the AWA,” the complaint reads.

The USDA conducted 11 inspections of Mt. Hope Auction in the last two years, all of which have identified “multiple violations of the AWA and its regulations and standards,” for a total of 69 AWA violations in less than two years.

Thirteen of these violations were classified as critical or direct, the two most serious types of AWA citation.

“Despite written inspection reports and oral exit interviews after every inspection, as well as an Official Warning from USDA, (Mt. Hope) has been unable or unwilling to come into compliance with the AWA, showing a disregard for the applicable laws, the well-being of the animals that come to the Auctions and the safety of the public,” the complaint reads.

PETA

The temporary restraining order follows numerous complaints and reports issued from PETA, the animal rights organization, about alleged abuses and other incidents occurring at the Mt. Hope Alternative Animal Auctions.

PETA reporting dating back to 2022 includes numerous incidents of alleged cruelty at the Mt. Hope Alternative Animal Auctions, some of which are also included in the court order as evidence of poor conditions at the auctions.

“Mt. Hope auctions off sick, injured and neglected animals for scofflaw sellers who can’t be bothered to provide them with basic, needed veterinary care or even adequate food and water,” said PETA Foundation Senior Director of Captive Animal Welfare Debbie Metzler in a press release the organization issued in July in response to a February USDA inspection report at Mt. Hope.

Next steps

In addition to ensuring that all animals present at its Alternative Animal Auctions are provided with adequate veterinary care, including daily observations to assess their health and well-being and the use of appropriate methods to prevent, control, diagnose and treat diseases and injuries, U.S. District Court Judge John Adams ordered Mt. Hope to begin keeping complete veterinary records of all animals evaluated or treated at Alternative Animal Auctions, including those that die.

The order also requires establishing a safe distance and/or barriers between animals and people and that USDA inspectors be able to access Mt. Hope facilities and records without interference or harassment.

Mt. Hope was given two weeks from the date of the order to comply.

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Grains Australia invites applications for Oilseed Council

Carinata is a non-food cover crop which could be used for lower carbon biofuel feedstock. Source: Nufarm

GRAINS Australia is calling for expressions of interest from those wishing to join its inaugural Oilseed Council.

It will sit alongside the industry-good organisation’s existing wheat, barley, oats, pulse, and market-access councils, and the Australian Oilseeds Federation, with which Grains Australia has a memorandum of understanding.

AOF chief executive Nick Goddard said an aspect of the MOU was that AOF would act as an oilseeds council, but Grains Australia has decided a council representing Australia’s oilseeds sector is needed.

“They’ve made sure AOF is involved, and the council…will be going ahead hand in glove with AOF,” Mr Goddard said.

“The remit of Grains Australia is clear around classification, and trade and market access, and we’ve been making sure we’re not duplicating.”

The EOI process and selection of the Oilseed Council members is being carried out with the support of the AOF.

Mr Goddard said AOF has a role to play in the burgeoning sustainable aviation fuel industry and bioenergy in general.

“One of AOF’s strengths is its technical support, particularly to crushers and oilseed refiners, in areas like running tests for laboratories.

“Also, Grains Australia is not in a position to advocate to governments for bioenergy and liquid fuels, whereas AOF is…able to provide technical support from a sustainability perspective.”

AOF has been instrumental in setting up Sustainable Grain Australia, initially with the environmentally conscious EU canola market in mind to satisfy International Sustainability & Carbon Certification requirements.

SGA is integrated with Australia’s National Grower Register, and saw 2.7 million tonnes of 2023-24 canola from 4200 growers delivered.

Richard Simonaitis.

Grains Australia is inviting those across the Australian oilseeds industry with skills and experience in areas including production, research, breeding, trade and market access, storage and grain-handling, processing, or developing products for consumers, to apply for a place on the council.

It will be responsible for overseeing implementation of classification frameworks for crops, providing expertise and advice in identifying trade and market-access priorities, and requirements for market information and market education relevant to oilseeds.

“We welcome applications from individuals across the Australian oilseeds sector who have a thorough understanding of the industry and can offer strategic advice on its market needs, priorities, and opportunities,” Grains Australia chief executive officer Richard Simonaitis said.

Grains Australia is an initiative of the Grains Research and Development Corporation, and is responsible for vital industry services and functions that improve the industry’s competitiveness and profitability.

It has already absorbed the tasks previously performed by Wheat Quality Australia, Barley Australia, Pulse Australia, and the Grains Industry Market Access Forum, as well as forming Australia’s first national oat council.

Governments fund Ontario ag sustainability initiative

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing an additional $9 million in the Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Initiative through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Funding will be used to help with the adoption of new technologies and best management practices to support soil health, water quality and energy efficiency.

The initiative will also help Ontario farmers improve the long-term environmental resilience of their farms. Farmers will be able to submit two applications to the program, depending on their needs, with successful recipients receiving up to $90,000 depending on the project category.

“Farmers care deeply about the environment and they’re constantly making their operations more sustainable,” said Lawrence MacAulay, federal minister of agriculture and agri-food, in a press release. “This important investment will help farmers here in Ontario adapt to environmental challenges, so they can continue to succeed for generations to come.”

The Agricultural Stewardship Initiative is being delivered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA).

“Accelerating the adoption of industry-leading management practices to support soil health, water quality, and productivity on agricultural land across Ontario aligns with OSCIA’s mission to facilitate responsible economic management of soil, water, air, and crops through innovative farming practices,” said Phil Oegema, OSCIA president, in a press release.

CIH’s Hog Margin Watch Report for September 1-15, 2024 – Swineweb.com

Margins deteriorated over the first half of September as hog prices declined, particularly in nearby futures, while the feed markets were steady to slightly firmer. Both hog slaughter and weights are tracking above year-ago levels, consistent with data from the June Hogs and Pigs report as industry participants wait for the next quarterly update at the end of the month. Hog slaughter last week was estimated at 2.571 million head, up 1.4% from last year with the prior four-week average slaughter run averaging 1.8% above a year ago. Slaughter last year between mid-September and mid-October averaged 2.586 million head/week, projecting this year’s slaughter over the next month to average 2.63 million head/week. Slaughter weights are currently averaging about 1% higher than a year ago and will be watched closely in weeks ahead to see how well producers are positioned heading into the fall and winter. The pork cutout has held in the low-$90’s but is down around 6% since the beginning of the month with a 10% decline in ham primal values over that period contributing around 40% of the total drop in pork cutout. A recent weakening of the Mexican Peso relative to the U.S. dollar has not been helpful, although export sales and
shipments have generally held up well in recent weeks. With increased slaughter and higher carcass weights, more product has been available in the spot market, making exports critical in helping to clear that supply. Our clients have benefited from adding new coverage in deferred marketing periods recently to take advantage of the recent margin improvement ahead of the upcoming September USDA Hogs & Pigs report.

The Hog Margin calculation assumes that 73 lbs of soybean meal and 5.3 bushels of corn are required to produce 100 lean hog lbs. Additional assumed costs include $44 per cwt for other feed and non-feed expenses.

Webinar: Baking & Snack to present ‘State of the Snack Industry’

KANSAS CITY — The snack industry as a whole remains a growing, dynamic category in wider food. Consumers’ needs around snacking are diverse, and this lends itself to many opportunities for growth across different snacking categories.

Every year Baking & Snack partners with SNAC International to deliver a State of the Industry Report, culling through a year’s worth of Circana data across the many different snacking categories. This year, Baking & Snack dives even further into that data with a free State of the Snack Industry webinar, Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. EDT.

The webinar will not only explore Circana data but also offer insights from and conversation between snack industry panelists: Justin Spannuth, vice president and chief operating officer, Unique Snacks, Reading, Pa., and chairman of SNAC International; Nico Roesler, North American pretzel and snack equipment sales manager, Reading Bakery Systems; and Rocco Fucetola, vice president of sales and marketing, BluePrint Automation. Together the panelists will discuss what challenges and opportunities are driving the sales numbers. The webinar will be moderated by Baking & Snack Editor Charlotte Atchley.

“We can certainly glean a story about what’s going on from a sales perspective from the data, but with this webinar and the conversation that comes from it, I want to bring attendees insight from those living this reality every day, whether they are manufacturing and selling snacks or supplying the companies that do that work,” she said. “I hope that attendees can have a better understanding of how the snack industry is doing and where there are opportunities for growth going forward.”

The webinar will explore categories such as potato chips, pretzels, tortilla chips, cheese snacks, cookies, crackers and more. It’s sponsored by BluePrint Automation, Reading Bakery Systems and Unique Snacks.

Mars Appoints New CEO For KIND

Mars has promoted Daniel Calderoni, a manager within its pet nutrition division, to be the new CEO of KIND Snacks North America.

Pistachios: The Little Green Nut Surging in Popularity

There’s more to pistachio nuts than shells that are dyed red and cakes dyed green – and manufacturers, restaurateurs, and grocers are taking notice.

From Starbucks’ pistachio latte to a cream-filled pistachio croissant at Lafayette Grand Café & Bakery in New York, the little green nut’s popularity is growing among those looking for healthier snacks.

Confectionery News reported that a Google trends analysis shows there has been a 60% rise in searches for pistachios since 2019, and the trend platform Tastewise showed that conversations about pistachios grew 10% in the past year along with a 15% increase in interest in the pistachio as an ingredient, positioning product manufacturers, restaurateurs, and grocers to take advantage of this explosive growth.

People have been eating pistachios for at least 300,000 years. The nuts are packed with healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants. They also contain essential nutrients that help with weight loss and gut health.

“Now is the time to hop on the pistachio train. Everything from pistachio baklava to pistachio lattes is experiencing a surge in popularity,” said Safira Adam, owner of Tiffin and Tea.

“Restaurants should be thinking about introducing mains like pistachio pesto pasta or brunch recipes like pistachio French toast,” Adam told The Food Institute.

Häagen-Dazs marketing director Rachel Jaiven noted that the premium ice cream-maker just released a new flavor made with larger and saltier California pistachios, both in retail stores and at Häagen-Dazs shops nationwide.

An ounce of pistachios – about 49 nuts – contains 159 calories, 8 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 6 grams of protein, and 13 grams of fat. That same ounce also packs potassium, phosphorus, vitamin B6 (in fact, pistachios are one of the most B6-rich foods around), thiamine, copper, and manganese.

Lenny Chase, CEO at the CPG alternative beverage brand Rasa, said there’s great potential for pistachios to be incorporated to create healthier products.

“Brands can build a strong story about their pistachio-based products by informing consumers about the particular health benefits of pistachios,” Chase said. “When combined with other health-conscious components, this approach can be especially successful in producing a synergistic health message that appeals to consumers who pay close attention to their health.”

The U.S. is the world’s largest producer of pistachios – responsible for 54% of the world crop in 2022 and 2023 – followed by Turkey (27%) and Iran (14%). The nuts also are grown in Syria and Greece.

The Food Institute Podcast

Restaurant results for the second quarter weren’t stellar, but people still need to eat. Are they turning to their refrigerators, or are restaurants still on the menu for consumers? Circana Senior Vice President David Portalatin joined The Food Institute Podcast to discuss the makeup of the current restaurant customer amid a rising trend of home-centricity.

PCC to open small-format store in Seattle

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Dive Brief:

PCC Community Markets plans to open a small-format location in downtown Seattle at the same site where it had, until recently, been operating a full-service grocery store, the co-op announced on Friday.
At approximately 6,500 square feet, the new store will be a fraction of the size of the 20,000-square-foot store it will replace, which was unprofitable and closed in January.
PCC plans to use the remaining space at the site for its corporate office after its existing office lease runs out next year, the co-op said, adding that the shift will help it save money on rent.

Dive Insight:

PCC said the new store, which does not yet have a formal name, will be designed to serve people who work and live in the downtown area.

The store will feature hot and cold bars, grab-and-go deli items, drinks and snacks intended to meet the needs of office workers, as well as a limited variety of grocery, produce and pantry products, PCC President and CEO Krish Srinivasan said in a message to the co-op’s membership. The store, at the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Union Street, will also sell ice cream, beer and wine, he said.

“We continue to hear– from co-op members, our staff, and downtown residents — about a strong need in the city center for the kind of unique shopping and dining experience that only PCC offers. We are thrilled to be able to meet that need by returning with a new concept that promises significantly better economics than a full-service grocery store,” Srinivasan said in a statement.

The co-op noted that it came up with the idea to use the space for a smaller store because it is locked into a long-term lease for the location. Executives worked with the owner of the space, Wright Runstad, “on innovative ways to reactivate the space in a manner consistent with the co-op’s triple bottom line focus on people, planet and profit,” according to the announcement.

Srinivasan said the co-op drew lessons from the previous store as it crafted plans for the new one, indicating that the former location’s prepared foods and deli department performed well even as the store proved to be unprofitable. The former store opened in January 2022, but ran into trouble because the COVID-19 pandemic drove down the number of office workers and local shoppers, according to PCC. The pandemic also delayed the store’s opening.

PCC has struggled financially during the past several years and was unprofitable last year, prompting Srinivasan to appeal in May to the co-op’s members to spend more at its stores to help strengthen its finances. That strategy paid off, helping PCC turn in improved sales during the second quarter of 2024, Srinivasan said in an Aug. 30 letter to members.

Molson Coors bets on booze-free ‘mocktails’ with Australian brand

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Molson Coors is making a play for the “mocktail” craze with the help of a trendy brand from down under.

The beer giant announced a strategic partnership with Naked Life, which sells nonalcoholic canned cocktails in Australia. It plans to bring the drinks to the U.S. market in March.

Naked Life touts its better-for-you attributes compared to other cocktail products. Its booze-free drinks contain 10 calories per can as well as botanicals and natural sweeteners. Molson Coors will distribute five of its sparkling nonalcoholic cocktails: Mojito, Negroni Spritz, Gin and Tonic, Cosmo and Margarita.

“Consumers want more than just an alternative. They want a sophisticated, great-tasting option that aligns with their lifestyle,” Kevin Nitz, the vice president of nonalcoholic beverages at Molson Coors, said in a statement. “Naked Life provides a high-quality non-alc cocktail, delivering an experience of the best alc based versions.”

The brewer said Naked Life is the best-selling nonalcoholic cocktail in its native Australia.

Molson Coors indicated the move is a part of its years-long “Beyond Beer” plan to premiumize its portfolio under CEO Gavin Hattersley with higher-quality brands across the beverage landscape.

The Naked Life move also comes amid sluggish demand for the drink it is best known for: beer. During its most recent quarterly earnings call in August, the maker of Blue Moon and Coors Light reported a 1.5% year-over-year decline in net sales revenue and a 7.3% decline in brand volumes. On the call, Hattersley teased the launch of a nonalcoholic beer product soon.

Earlier this year, Molson Coors debuted the Gen Z-targeted Happy Thursday, a line of ready-to-drink spiked refresher cocktails that do not contain carbonation.

The nonalcoholic space has grown rapidly, especially with Gen Z consumers imbibing less than previous generations.

Brands such as Mingle Mocktails, Free AF and Ghia’s Le Spritz are some of the products carving out a niche in zero-proof drinks. The mocktail market was valued at $8.2 billion last year and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.7% by 2030, according to Grand View Research.

Shipley Do-Nuts to hold giveaway for 88th birthday

Houston, Texas-based Shipley Do-Nuts is celebrating its 88^th birthday on September 18 with a social giveaway of one dozen birthday prizes.

Shipley is thanking its fans with a social giveaway of one dozen prizes with the grand prize giving one individual their own party catered by the brand. Eleven secondary winners will win surprise birthday presents. Fans can enter on social media beginning September 18, and details on how to enter are online.

Lawrence Shipley Sr. opened the first Shipley Cream Glazed Do-Nuts bakery in Houston in 1936, selling hot glazed donuts for five cents a dozen. Using a proprietary recipe that he created himself, Shipley made the donuts fresh daily, hand-cutting them into their now-famous hexagon shape and cooking them to light, fluffy perfection. The signature hot glazed donut – still handmade fresh using the same recipe – remains the brand’s best seller.

Today it has more than 350 locations – and counting – in 12 states and has also been named an official Texas Treasure by the Texas Historical Commission.

“Our 88^th birthday marks one dozen – our favorite number here at Shipley – years from our 100^th. We wanted to take a moment to celebrate the sweet success we’ve experienced for nearly a century as we keep growing and bringing our famous donuts and kolaches to more people across the country,” says Shipley Do-Nuts chief executive officer Flynn Dekker. “Not many brands have had the opportunity, like we have, to serve generations of guests and become a part of family traditions. We’re looking forward to even more growth and innovation over our next 88 years.”