In a recent proof-of-concept field trial, the Canadian Sheep Federation partnered with SheepChain LLC to demonstrate how the Canadian sheep industry can capitalize on blockchain-based traceability to add value to Canadian lamb. Canada is the first sheep industry to manage the technology in a real-world setting, tracking lamb from pasture to plate, according to the… Read More
There’s not a lot of change between the existing North American Free Trade Agreement and the newly minted, United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) for Canada’s beef industry. And the political and producer group powers that be is OK with that but wants very much to see ratification move forward. In the absence of ratification, American and… Read More
With the U.K. set to leave the EU near the end of March, Britain’s trade minister, Liam Fox, seems to be keeping an eye on what he wants to happen after the fact. Many pro Brexiters believe that England would turn to the United States for a quick trade deal since President Donald Trump has shown… Read More
As we march in to February, Peter ‘Wheat Pete’ Johnson is busy making the rounds at the winter conferences: from FarmTech last week in Edmonton, to Ontario Soil and Crop’s AGM at Kingston this week. In this episode of Wheat Pete’s Word, Johnson shares some of what he’s heard on the show circuit, as well… Read More
A four-legged friend is being commended for her perfect sniffing skills at the Ottawa airport. Lacy the detector dog sniffed out undeclared pork products from a traveller who came from a region that is high risk for African Swine Fever (ASF). Veterinary councillor for the Canadian Pork Council, Egan Brockhoff, says the actions taken by… Read More
A new and timely research network being established this spring will provide the nation’s cow-calf industry with benchmark data to help with planning and management. The Canadian Cow-Calf Surveillance Network is described as “a network of herds across the country that reflects the industry.” The network will involve 175 producers across Canada and a dozen… Read More
Ontario’s provincial government, in partnership with the federal government, has announced updates to the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program. The compensation program was significantly changed under the previous Liberal provincial government, leading to a dramatic increase in rejected claims, higher fees, and much longer wait times to receive approved compensation. After consulting with farmers and… Read More
It’s that time of year when thousands of members of the cattle industry get together for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association cattle conventions. This year’s event was at New Orleans, Louisiana, in the heart of a great city known for its cajun cuisine, late nights, and the most flamboyant of costumes. RealAgriculture’s cattle analyst Anne… Read More
As of yesterday, January 31, 2019, general manager and CEO, Graham Lloyd, is no longer with Dairy Farmers of Ontario, the producer organization has confirmed. According to a spokesperson, the board will be appointing an acting general manager shortly. In the meantime, the board and directors will continue to lead the organization and work to support… Read More
With the month of January almost over, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) have announced its third and final list of prescribed areas for livestock tax deferral. The initial list was released back in the middle of September, with the second being released in October. The deferral will help producers who faced a tough year due… Read More
It’s a running joke among sheep farmers that 99% of a sheep farmer’s job is saving these wooly beasts from the 1,001 ways they try to die. After a few years owning sheep, I am still surprised by the silly ways they get into a pickle, but there’s likely nothing more frustrating than losing a… Read More
In an effort to keep its producers at the top of the global stage, the Manitoba government unveiled a first-of-its kind provincial protein strategy. The strategy has several prongs and will help both animal and plant protein development in the face of global demand, according to Manitoba Agriculture minister Ralph Eichler. “With world demand continuing… Read More
By Jeff English Canada’s Food Guide was updated this week and, not unlike anything done by government, it was met with a mixed reaction. The changes were not so big. We’ve gone from four food groups down to three. Given the year they’ve had on the trade front, it is easy to forgive our dairy… Read More
How far have we come in 30 years of plant breeding and agronomic knowledge? Well, in this edition of Wheat Pete’s Word, host Peter Johnson reflects back on corn and soybean yield averages for Ontario and the gains may surprise you. What about wheat? Well, you’ll have to listen to find out if we’ve made… Read More
What would agriculture look like without livestock? It may sound like an extreme idea but it’s one farmers and all stakeholders in the entire agriculture value chain need to contemplate, says Dr. Robin White, an assistant professor of animal and poultry sciences at the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Over the decades, livestock production has… Read More