As NAFTA negotiations begin on Wednesday, there’s no question dairy is one of the few agricultural issues where there’s a serious conflict between Canadian and American objectives. On Monday, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland released Canada’s list of demands, with protection of supply management for dairy and poultry on the list. Freeland made it clear… Read more »
Category: Livestock
Sausage study challenges consumer confidence
My daughter and grandson share the same birthday, August 7. They’re part of a pork-and-grain farming operation near Thamesville. At their birthday celebration on the weekend, our family barbequed pork sausage from their farm on the campfire. There was no reason to doubt the quality of the sausage. We trust the meat packers in nearby… Read more »
PED source not a mystery in some of Manitoba’s 61 cases
After almost a month without any new cases, Manitoba’s 61st case of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus since early May was confirmed in a finisher hog barn in the southeast part of the province this week. As of Thursday, there were 22 sow herds, 13 nurseries and 26 finishing operations infected, according to the province’s… Read more »
Beef Market Update, August 11: More cattle ahead, but how many?
It’s a tale of two different markets when you look at the Canadian cattle business versus what’s happening in the U.S. where feeders are anticipating a bigger calf crop this fall. Western Canadian feeders are looking at the same kind of numbers in terms of supply as last year, notes Anne Wasko in this latest… Read more »
Canadian dairy groups disappointed with Canada-EU cheese import allocation
Canada’s dairy processors and producers say the federal government has “failed to adequately support its dairy sector” after announcing plans for the allocation of cheese import licenses through the Canada-European Union trade deal (CETA). Canada agreed to tariff rate quotas for nearly 18 million kilograms of annual cheese imports in CETA under two categories: 16… Read more »
Japan to increase tariff on frozen beef imports from Canada and the United States to 50%
Starting August 1, 2017, Japan has triggered a safeguard to increase the tariff on its frozen beef imports from countries that it does not have a free trade agreement with. Increasing the tariff on frozen beef imports from 38.5% to 50% will impact Canada and the United States and not Australia, Chile and Mexico who… Read more »
CCA urges federal response for ranchers affected by B.C. wildfires
With an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 cattle left behind in areas evacuated due to wildfires in B.C.’s central and southern interior, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association says it has asked the federal government for a quick response to help affected ranchers. “As an initial start, the CCA is requesting the federal government provide a tax deferral… Read more »
No positive surprises in July U.S. Cattle on Feed report
If you were looking for the the July 1 USDA cattle on feed report to shock the market to the higher side, it did not deliver. Overall, cattle on feed in the United States were up 4 percent compared to a year ago, with heifers and heifer calves on feed up 11 percent compared to… Read more »
Dairy Farmers of Canada elects new president
Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) has a new president, as Pierre Lampron was elected on a two-year term at the group’s annual general meeting in Edmonton on Wednesday. Lampron is a seventh generation organic dairy farmer in the Mauricie region of Quebec, according to DFC’s website. He previously represented Quebec on the board of Dairy… Read more »
President Trump says U.S. gained access into China for beef because he asked for it
Negotiating trade deals to increase market access is typically not easy. Non-tariff barriers, thickening borders, and increased commerce bureaucracy all make access to global markets and free trade very difficult. But what if market access could be made easier by just asking for it. Why didn’t former Presidents, NCBA and a handful of U.S. Trade… Read more »
Blood test can identify litter-limiting genetic problem in pigs
A lab has been established in Guelph to screen boars with a genetic abnormality that results in smaller litters. The abnormality happens naturally, when cells divide. “Sometimes, the genes just don’t line up the way they should when cells are developing,” says University of Guelph Prof. Allan King, who established the lab. That results in… Read more »
Nilsson Bros. to buy back Lakeside feed yard from JBS
JBS has announced a deal to sell Lakeside Feeders at Brooks, Alberta back to its previous owner, Nilsson Bros. JBS Food Canada Inc, the Canadian subsidiary of the scandal-plagued Brazilian meat industry giant, announced on Friday that it has an agreement to sell its 75,000 head feed yard and adjacent farmland to MCF Holdings, a… Read more »
Beef Market Update: Lining up for the (potentially early) fall run
After sliding for the last few weeks, the cattle market clawed back some ground this week, in U.S. dollar terms, at least. As Anne Wasko of Gateway Livestock notes in our latest Beef Market Update, the basis for Canadian cattle values has quietly flipped. “Instead of our cash cattle prices trading above the U.S. equivalent… Read more »
Dairy Farmers of Ontario withdrawing promotional funding from Dairy Farmers of Canada
A disagreement between Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) and Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) over promotions and marketing has led the provincial group to withdraw its promotional funding from the national organization. DFO notified its members this week that it will not be sending funds for promotions and marketing to DFC as of January 1,… Read more »
$15.5 million beef research centre to be built at Elora, Ont.
Ontario Agriculture Minister Jeff Leal, his federal counterpart Lawrence MacAulay and representatives from the University of Guelph and Beef Farmers of Ontario broke ground on Thursday for a $15.5 million Livestock Research and Innovation Centre for beef to be built at the Elora Research Station. The province has committed $12.4 million to the project, with… Read more »