As the saying goes, if Henry Ford had listened to what his customers wanted, they would have said, “Faster horses.” For Nicole Zeni, that innovation philosophy means that while you do need to listen to your customers, you must be open to change, and challenged to thinking broadly and for the long term. Zeni manages… Read More
Although there’s no official statement released on the prime ministers website yet, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has tweeted out that Canadian pork and beef exports to China will resume. To note, the prime minister thanks newly appointed Ambassador to China, Dominic Barton. He’s had the position since September 4th, and was quoted saying, “The relationship… Read More
Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ernie Hardeman, is back in the province after leading a trade mission to South Korea and Japan. Joining the minister was Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and several industry members, representing Ontario farmers. In an op-ed released following the trip, Hardeman says, “It… Read More
As farmers anticipate the ratification of the new NAFTA deal, USMCA, Democrats in the U.S. are seeking changes to the new pact text. Jon Tester (D-MT) has gone back in time to suggest a change that would greatly impact the beef industry in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Tester is asking for the Republican-led… Read More
A sheep in full wool can look plump and well-fed, even when they’re quite thin. The only real way to assess body condition is by getting your hands on the animal, even once sheared. But what are you feeling for, exactly? How can you tell a body condition score (BCS) of 3 from a 2?… Read More
Gabriel Ribeiro has been named as the new Saskatchewan Beef Industry Chair at the University of Saskatchewan (USask). Ribeiro steps in to the role following John McKinnon’s retirement. Prior to becoming the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Chair, Ribeiro was an assistant professor in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary. Originally from Brazil,… Read More
Livestock feed company, Trouw Nutrition Canada (Shur-Gain) will complete its purchase of Yantzi Feed & Seed Ltd. early next mont. The acquisition includes Yantzi’s feed manufacturing, grain storage, crop input facility and retail store at Tavistock, Ont., the grain elevator on Line 29 North East of Tavistock and the retail store and crop input business… Read More
Ontario’s government has released its proposed animal welfare model to replace the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) Act. Earlier this year, the OSPCA informed the province it would no longer carry out animal welfare enforcement in the province, necessitating a revamp of the current animal welfare enforcement model and rules…. Read More
The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) met in Ottawa for three days last week to tackle industry challenges, including the advent of African swine fever (ASF) overseas. Gary Stordy, director of government and corporate affairs for the CPC, says the meeting was very productive and much needed, especially in light of ASF. “The industry is not… Read More
While parts of Canada may have been looking for change, the move to a Liberal minority likely won’t change dairy producer priorities. “I would say it’s fairly status quo for us,” says Murray Sherk, Dairy Farmers of Ontario. “We work with whatever party (is) in power. We have good relationships with the Liberal Party…and they… Read More
The United States Department of Agriculture has released its October 2019 edition of the U.S. Cattle on Feed report which showed cattle on feed down one percent in comparison to a year ago as of October 1. According to Anne Wasko of the Gateway Livestock Exchange, “There were no real surprises in the numbers this… Read More
The Canadian government may have seen some change after the election, but to producer organizations like the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), it doesn’t change the fact that they need to be at the table, working with whomever else is there. “I think it’s about what was expected, and as the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, we work… Read More
The beverage landscape has changed remarkably in recent decades. In the 1970s, milk competed with three beverages — soft drinks, coffee, and juice. But today, consumer taste and choice knows no limits, whether it be sparkling juice, fusion drinks, pea protein drinks, cold brew coffee, or drinkable yogurt, the beverage list keeps growing. Can milk… Read More
Robotics are changing the dynamics of dairy businesses, and co-evolving along with them. “Today, conventional dairies spend 50-60 per cent of the total labour on the physical act of milking cows, (and) only 10 to 20 per cent on feeding cows, five to 10 per cent on health, and the other 10 per cent on… Read More
Ryan Greir, a sheep producer from Alberta, has been named as the chair for the National Sheep Network (NSN). Greir is currently the vice-chair of Alberta Lamb Producers, and farms just east of Strathmore with his wife Janna and young son. The NSN represents Canada’s top three lamb producing provinces —Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec —… Read More