Marketed as “the world’s first cordless fencing stapler,” the STOCKade ST400i won first place in the innovation contest at Agri-Trade in Red Deer, Alta., this fall. The cordless stapler has more power than a pneumatic fencing stapler and does not require a compressor and hoses, notes Axle Boris of Langley, BC-based FenceFast Ltd., in this video recorded at Agribition… Read More
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has proposed changes to the rules for the transportation of animals. Discussions about changes to the transport regulations, most of which have been in place since 1977, have been ongoing for a number of years. The draft amendments were finally published in Canada Gazette on December 3 (read the entire proposal here.) The… Read More
Whether producing award-winning newscasts or producing Canada’s largest livestock show, the process behind the scenes is similar, says the new CEO of Canadian Western Agribition. Chris Lane joined Agribition in July after working as a senior news producer for CBC in Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Maritimes. “It’s really about people,” he explains, as we chatted… Read More
Proposed amendments to Canada’s Food and Drug Regulations were outlined in more detail this week, after a brief announcement by Health Canada on June 30, 2016. The potential changes look to “strengthen rules governing the importation, sale and use of antimicrobial drugs in livestock.” “Health Canada’s proposal to strengthen the rules around the use of these drugs in… Read More
Bruce Vandenberg knows all about the challenges and opportunities of milking goats. He got into the business in 1989 and over the past 25 years has built Mariposa Dairy Ltd., the second-largest processor of milk goat cheese in Canada. Speaking at the 2016 Canadian Dairy XPO, Vandenberg explained that his home farm now milks about… Read More
Today the Alberta Government released its budget and there were some casualties for agriculture. In an effort to cut costs and internalize much of the agency work that has been spun out to third-party boards, the Alberta Livestock Meat Agency had its funding cut. Other boards, commissions and agencies that will be impacted are: Alberta Grains… Read More
What did you do on your most recent vacation? Ski? Go south? Binge-watch Netflix? Not Dr. Paula Menzies. She spent her vacation writing the final chapters of a book…on udder health for dairy goats. It wasn’t especially relaxing. And it won’t end up being a best seller on Amazon or Chapters. But the book, released… Read More
Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay, announced an investment of up to $255,487 to support the goat industry’s preparation for mandatory traceability. “The livestock industry is a key driver of Canada’s economy,” said Minister MacAulay. “The Government of Canada is proud to support goat farmers in their efforts to strengthen the national traceability… Read More
South Korea has lifted its temporary ban on imports of beef and veal from Canada, effective December 30, 2015. The country, which was Canada’s sixth-largest market for beef in 2014, suspended imports following the detection of BSE in an Alberta cow in February of 2015. “Resumption of access to South Korea is important for Canada’s… Read More
There’s a sense of nostalgia in the cattle barns at Canadian Western Agribition in Regina this year. 2015 marks the last year for the old barns on the Agribition grounds — buildings that are filled with memories made over the 45-year history of Canada’s largest livestock show. A total of 13 structures, including the auditorium… Read More
A pork-producing family from Ontario and a dairy goat-farming family from Alberta have been named Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2015. Mike and Amy Cronin of Bluevale, ON and Patrick and Cherylynn Bos of Ponoka, AB were recognized at the OYF national event in Edmonton this weekend. “Every year, our organization recognizes and welcomes more… Read More
The agriculture industry is pretty bogged down with acronyms, let’s face it. That’s why, every once in a while, we like to do an interview that focuses on what, exactly, these acronyms mean. This week, we’re talking AFAC, or Alberta Farm Animal Care. “We are a multi-species livestock welfare organization,” explains Kristen McDonald, marketing and membership… Read More
The World Trade Organization has once again sided with Canada and Mexico, as the WTO Appellate Body published a fourth and final ruling on U.S. country of origin labeling rules today. The appeal panel decision affirmed earlier rulings saying COOL illegally discriminates against foreign livestock (read the report and findings here). “The United States has used and… Read More
A fourth and final decision from the World Trade Organization on U.S. mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) rules will be announced in the next few days. The WTO has said its decision on the Americans’ latest appeal to maintain COOL will be shared with members no later than May 18th. Another ruling in Canada and Mexico’s favour would… Read More
The sun is shining, the grass has turned green and the temptation to turn cattle out to pasture is strong at this time of year. Spring grazing is often the weakest link in the grazing system on cow-calf operations, says Jane Thornton, pasture and rangeland specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, noting decisions made in spring can have… Read More