Keystone Processors Blog

We were really pleased to hear that on Tuesday, the Canadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Trade Minister Peter Van Loan announced that Panama has partially re-opened its domestic markets to imports of breeding cattle and bovine genetics.

“The Government of Canada is pleased with Panama’s decision to re-open its market to Canadian cattle exports,” Minister Van Loan said in a statement issued in Ottawa, Ont. “This is great news for Canada’s cattle industry.”

Canada’s cattle industry has been battling to regain access to foreign markets it lost in 2003 with the discovery of the first native born case of BSE.

Ritz said, “Market by market, we are creating more opportunities for farmers to benefit from expanded sales to more consumers around the world.”

The announcement follows the signing of the Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement on May 14th. The agreement will eventually allow for duty free access for all Canadian beef to Panama.

Improving access to international markets is extremely important for adding value to Canadian cattle. We’re hopeful it’s a sign that Keystone Processors and Manitoba cattle producers will be able to expand our market and deliver premium, nutritious beef to more tables.

Keystone Processors Ltd. is focused on raising the best quality cattle with the benefit of top notch farming practices. Our goal is to bring branded Manitoba beef products such as Natural Prairie Beef to the world.

Environment, Export markets, Government policy, Manitoba cattle, Natural beef cattle industry, domestic markets, farmers, Free Trade Agreement, opportunities, Panama

The Canadian Beef Export Federation has estimated that the Colombian market for Canadian beef exports is small, worth about $6 million.

Improving access to international markets is extremely important for adding value to Canadian cattle. We’re hopeful it’s a sign that Keystone Processors and Manitoba cattle producers will be able to expand our market and deliver premium, nutritious beef to more tables. Read more…

Community, Environment, Export markets, Manitoba cattle Canadian Beef Export Federation, Columbia, Manitoba Cooperator, Natural Prairie Beef

This week we read in the Manitoba Co-operator that Canada’s cattle herd fell to its smallest size in 15 years last year. Cattle and calves slaughter levels in Canada were down 3.7 per cent compared to 2008. More alarming was the fall in live cattle exports of 31.6 per cent.

These declines are the result of a number of things. It was the first year of mandatory U.S. country-of-origin labelling (COOL). The continued demand for ethanol has caused a surge in grain prices, which means feed costs have skyrocketed. And the higher Canadian dollar has also cut in to profit margins. The result is fewer cattle and fewer cattle producers. Read more…

Export markets, Government policy, Manitoba cattle COOL, Gerry Ritz, trade

Farmer-owned company to market premium beef from Manitoba farms to the world

Winnipeg, November 2, 2009 – The employees and investors of Keystone Processors Ltd. welcomed Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz to their plant today as he announced his government has conditionally approved the farmer-owned company for a loan of up to $10 million.

Additionally, Manitoba Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Rosann Wowchuk joined Minister Ritz to announce that the Manitoba Cattle Enhancement Council would increase its investment in the plant by up to an additional $7.5 million. The money will be used to upgrade the former pork plant on Marion Street into a federally-licensed beef slaughter and processing plant.

“These funds are critical for us to move forward with significant plant upgrades, which will eventually allow us to export Manitoba beef across the country and around the world,” said Kelly Penner, President and CEO of Keystone Processors Ltd. “Our company represents Manitoba farmers taking control of their destiny by owning every part of the value chain from farm gate to our customers’ plates.” Read more…

Buy Local, Export markets, Government policy, Kosher and Halal, Manitoba cattle, Natural beef, News Release, Nutrition, Online shopping, Uncategorized kelly penner, MCEC, Minister Gerry Ritz, Minister Rosann Wowchuk

One of many top restaurants and food service operations opting for premium, Manitoba beef

Winnipeg, October 1, 2009 – A growing number of Manitoba’s top chefs and restaurants are now serving premium, Manitoba-raised beef from Keystone Processors Ltd. The Winnipeg-based, farmer-owned beef plant has landed more than 40 retail and restaurant clients since it opened earlier this year, including the high profile and high volume casino restaurants operated by Manitoba Lotteries.

“Manitoba Lotteries proudly uses the best products available from local farmers, manufacturers and suppliers,” said Manitoba Lotteries President and CEO Winston Hodgins. “When it comes to our casino restaurants, buying food locally makes sense from economic and environmental perspective. We welcome the addition of premium beef from Keystone Processors to our menus, and invite our guests to enjoy the great tastes of Manitoba that we offer.”

Other Keystone Processors restaurant clients include Amici’s, Bailey’s Restaurant and Bar, Bistro 7 ¼, Billabong Restaurant and Bar, Fusion Grill, Inferno Bistro, Ivory Restaurant, Maple Tree Restaurant and Steakhouse, Mise Restaurant, Pineridge Hollow, and Sevala’s Catering. Read more…

Buy Local, Environment, Export markets, News Release, Restaurants Amici Restaurant, Bailey's Restaurant and Bar, Billabong Australian Restaurant and Bar, Bistro 7 1/4, Fusion Grill, Inferno Bistro, Ivory Restaurant, Manitoba Lotteries, Maple Tree Restaurant and Steakhouse, Mise Restaurant, Pineridge Hollow, Sevala's Catering, Winnipeg Casinos, Winston Hodgins

UPDATED, February 18, 2010 – Keystone Processors has stopped producing Halal certified beef for the time being. We plan to resume production and sales of Halal beef once our plant upgrades are complete. Thank you for your interest in Keystone and our Halal line of Manitoba-raised beef.

ORIGINAL STORY – Keystone Processors is happy to announce that we are now producing Halal certified beef and distributing it through Winnipeg Meat Processors. This is giant step forward as Keystone Processors moves a step closer to selling to niche markets both here in North America and around the world. In Winnipeg, consumers who are looking for Keystone Processors Halal certified beef can now find it at Millad’s Supermarket, 396 Notre Dame, the only Halal certified store in the city.

Said Ahmadi, owner of Millad’s Supermarket, is glad he can now purchase his specialty meat from Winnipeg Meat Processors. “We use to have to drive 2 1/2 hours each way to go and buy it. Having it delivered to us now makes it much, much easier.” Read more…

Export markets, Kosher and Halal, Natural beef, Retail locations Halal, Kosher, Middle East, Millad's Supermarket, Said Ahmadi, Winnipeg Meat Processors

Winnipeg’s Keystone Processors Ltd. was the scene of a Chinese cultural and business exchange this week as it strengthened its ties with a major corporation from the City of Harbin in Northeast China.

Keystone Processors joined the Manitoba Cattle Enhancement  Council in welcoming senior representatives from the POTA Information Consulting Co., Ltd. and the POTA Institute of Business to Manitoba. General Manager Peter Pang and International Business Development Manager Judy Pang were on a fact finding and business development mission with a goal of opening new two-way trade with Manitoba in general, and to establish closer ties with Keystone Processors in particular. Read more…

Export markets, Manitoba cattle, News Release, Photos CFIA, China, Harbin, Judy Pang, kelly penner, MCEC, Peter Pang, Plains Processors, POTA Group, Sperlling Industries

Last month’s decision by the Canadian government to approach the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) is a much appreciated second visit to the WTO on behalf of beef producers in as many months.

The first came after a five year stand-off with South Korea over Korea’s unwillingness to reopen its borders to Canadian beef despite reopening its borders to American beef. Both countries were given the “controlled risk” status for beef by the WTO in 2007 but this new ruling impacted only the U.S./Korea relationship. That battle continues. Read more…

Export markets, Government policy, Manitoba cattle, Uncategorized Country of Origin Labeling, Gerry Ritz, Stockwell Day

A big part of Keystone Processors’ business planning is focused on capturing a portion of the evolving markets in the Far East. The Asian demand for food is expected to increase by 3.8 per cent per year from now until 2018.

Experts say the increase is directly related to the Asian population growth rate as well as its ongoing rush to industrialize. Both forces are putting severe strain on the region’s food supplies. Asia is now home to 4 billion people and this population’s food demand is growing at a rate higher then that of the world as a whole. Read more…

Export markets Asia

Keystone Processors Ltd. celebrates official opening

Winnipeg, March 10, 2009 – Keystone Processors has completed the first phase of its ongoing renovation and sent its first shipment of Manitoba beef to market. To celebrate the milestone, the company held an official opening today where managers and investors cut into a tenderloin in lieu of the traditional ribbon.

“We’re pleased to be up and running with trucks at our loading docks,” said Corry Berndsen, Keystone Processor’s Vice President of Operations. “This is just phase one done. We’re continuing with our plant upgrades and new construction with a view to having the plant fully operational by 2011.”

Keystone Processors has begun operations processing boneless beef for retail and wholesale operations. Its first customers included Winnipeg Old Country meats and De Luca’s Specialty Foods. Read more…

Export markets, Government policy, Kosher and Halal, Manitoba cattle, News Release Canadian Food Inspection Agency, corry berndsen, De Luca's Specialty Foods, Winnipeg Old Country