In The Nicasio Valley, Cheese Is The New Wine

December 29, 2011 Wayne Freedman, KGO-TV

It's becoming a trend: 27 small dairies now make Artisan cheese in Sonoma and Marin Counties, employing some 400 people. Ellie Rulla, a researcher at UC Davis, sees this as a viable strategy for saving family farms.

Iberico's Blend Of Milks Produces Distinct Flavor

I've noticed Iberico cheese here and there over the past few years. Without close examination it looks a lot like Manchego — another Spanish cheese with a bone-white paste and a waxy brown rind imprinted with a woven grass esparto design. I mistakenly assumed that it was a Manchego knock-off produced outside the Manchego DOC area.

Colabor Group Acquires Quebec Meat Company Viandes Decarie

December 29, 2011 Staff Reporter, Canadian Press

Colabor Group Inc. has signed a deal to buy Viandes Decarie Inc., a Quebec wholesaler and distributor of meat and meat products.

Beef Prices Hit Record; Hog Rally Forecast

The continued shortage of cattle, made worse this past year by the drought in Texas, has set up tight beef supplies going into 2012. University of Missouri economist Ron Plain notes ominously “since no turnaround in cattle numbers is likely soon, the closing of another cattle kill plant is likely.”

Ontario Rabbit One Step Closer To Marketing Board Status

December 29, 2011 Ontario Rabbit

Ontario Rabbit has reached another milestone with the formal submission of its proposal for marketing board powers to the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission.