I am going to tell you a story. It’s a story that probably will leave your mouth agape and thinking, “People wouldn’t actually do that, would they?” But I assure you, this story is true. Last Wednesday, our employee at our second solar grazing site (about 1.25 hour drive from the home farm) texted to… Read More
This week was a bit of a wild ride in the markets following the JBS fire that occured in Granville Island, Nebraska. The plant — that has the capacity to process 6,000 head of cattle a day — is now back up and running, but it has many asking “how does this impact the cattle… Read More
Four U.S. senators are attempting to answer the call to fix “broken” cattle markets in the country, with new legislation to restore mandatory country of origin labelling. Greg Henderson of Drover’s says he’s not entirely sure how it’s going to work, as mCOOL, as it is called, was eliminated after a lengthy World Trade Organization… Read More
Those in Western Canada looking for hay and those in other areas willing to supply hay for the Hay West 2021 initiative can now access a web portal to connect. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture has launched HayWest2021.net where individuals and businesses can enter the pertinent details of their situation and await word. The program… Read More
Editor’s note: According to a representative of JBS USA, the fire was limited to the rendering facility and processing is set to begin again this week at the site, pending an assessment of the site. There were no injuries reported. A fire at the Grand Island, Nebraska, JBS beef slaughter and processing facility has closed… Read More
Four U.S. senators are pushing, once again, for some form of mandatory country-of-origin labelling (mCOOL) of beef. Earlier this week, on September 8, two Republican and two Democrat senators announced a bill entitled the American Beef Labeling Act, which would require the U.S. Trade Representative to develop World Trade Organization-compliant mCOOL within a year of the bill… Read More
Olymel management has announced today (Sept 10) the start of a second slaughter shift at its newly renovated hog slaughtering, cutting, and boning plant at Ange-Gardien, Montérégie (formerly Agromex – F. Ménard). The addition and $3 million investment has created 150 new jobs so far, bringing the number of employees over the 700 mark, with 100… Read More
The title of livestock sustainability specialist could infer that there’s a finite amount of time that the role is relevant. After all, shouldn’t we, at some point, reach being sustainable, and move on? The trouble is, there isn’t a universally agreed upon measurement of sustainability. As Christoph Wand, livestock sustainability specialist for Ontario Ministry of… Read More
The drought across much of the Prairies has forced plenty of cows to “come to town” long before the rancher had intended due to a lack of feed. Early weaning creates a challenge for the rancher, as they try and get these calves to a heavier weight before selling. When it comes to feeding light… Read More
Alberta ranchers can now apply for AgriRecovery payments totaling $200 per head through a $340-million support program. Through the 2021 Canada-Alberta Livestock Feed Assistance Initiative, cattle and bison will be eligible for an initial payment of $94 per head, and a secondary payment of $106 per head, for a total of $200 per animal. According… Read More
The 2021 Dave Reid Award — formerly known as the Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) Canada Producer Innovation Award — has been presented to Duane Movald. Movald has been an ALUS Brazeau participant and chair of the Partnership Advisory Committee (PAC) since the program launched in Brazeau County, Alta. in 2016. Bryan Gilvesy, CEO of… Read More
B.C. has released details of its 2021 Canada-British Columbia Wildfire and Drought AgriRecovery Initiative, funded through a 60/40 cost share with the federal government. Ranchers will be eligible for a cut of $20 million to help with extraordinary expenses they incur for feed, shelter, animal health and safety, and the transportation of their livestock as a result… Read More
As Anne Wasko, of the Gateway Livestock Exchange puts it, here in Canada “cattle slaughter has been outstanding.” Following some really good weeks, total Canadian harvests hit 72,400 this week, as Wasko explains in this week’s Beef Market Update. “Breaking that down into young cattle and cows, the steer and heifer kill is basically 63,000…. Read More
Olymel’s management has announced resumption of operations at its hog slaughterhouse and cutting plant at Vallée-Jonction, in Beauce, Que. The result of the vote by members of the Olymel workers union at the location ratified the agreement in principle and return-to-work protocol reached on August 29. The vote puts an end to the strike that began… Read More
The Manitoba government has opened up the process for applications and unveiled details on how livestock producers can receive funding through a pair of AgriRecovery drought programs designed to help producers move feed to their animals, or animals to feed. Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Ralph Eichler shared the news alongside leaders from Manitoba Beef… Read More