Regenerative, restorative, and climate-smart agriculture — they’re all terms with roots firmly planted in farmers’ commitment to improving soil heath. Farmers who subscribe to these philosophies typically commit to five core practices: minimizing soil disturbance, maximizing soil diversity, keeping soil covered, maintaining living roots year-round, and integrating livestock. But how quickly should farmers be integrating… Read More
The last three years in agriculture have been trying times from a profitability perspective, and through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) American producers have received financial assistance in the form of a direct payment for the past two years. Many policy followers suggested that with 2020 being an election year and the Phase One deal… Read More
Update, as of 11pm EDT Friday, March 20: The Canadian government confirmed late Friday that it will be exempting seasonal agricultural workers from the travel restrictions put in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. “The participation of temporary foreign workers on our farms and our food businesses is absolutely necessary,” says Minister of… Read More
Zoetis is introducing long-acting implants to the Canadian market, with options for both finishing and grass cattle. Synovex LA-F and Synovex LA-G are identical to the company’s Synovex Choice and Synovex Plus, but with patented coating technology for an up to 200-day effective duration. And while they may be new to Canada, they aren’t new… Read More
Both provincial and federal governments have been working diligently on a daily basis to keep Canadians abreast of any changes to recommended protocols. For livestock auction markets across Canada, the restriction on the number of people allowed to attend due to social distancing practices is a challenge, but not defeat. Although governments have not laid… Read More
Agricultural attachment maker Danuser has simplified its popular auger system for easier farm fencing and barn construction application. At the National Farm Machinery Show last month, vice president Glenn Danuser explained that the company has condensed a wide selection of auger offerings to create its new EP Auger System, which will offer four different versions… Read More
While there are certainly naysayers to the idea of steeping compost, proponents argue the practice has incredible benefits in adding nutrients and biology to the land. Rob Wunder, a Saskatchewan cattle producer, is one of those proponents and has experimented in the design and application of his own compost tea. Inspired by various speakers and… Read More
What has a bigger impact on the environment: a car or a cow? That was just one of the 20 questions professional home economist Mairlyn Smith asked people on the streets of Toronto last fall, in a film project called “Beef on the Street.” The project, initiated by the Alberta Beef Producers and Alberta Cattle… Read More
What a week. Frankly, the last week and even two weeks has been wild enough — let alone the last 24 hours — as the impact of COVID-19 makes its way into North American travel bans, the stock market, oil prices, the Canadian dollar and more. The volatility has been extreme. Anne Wasko, of the… Read More
With coronavirus cases on the rise, the federal and provincial governments have increased risk mitigation measures to slow down the spread of the virus. Farmers and ranchers are a relatively independent and often secluded, so the impact of any quarantine would be limited on daily operations during planting or calving. The business risk to agriculture… Read More
The Canadian meat industry has made a $50,000 donation to the Red Cross to support the response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in China. “We see daily what an impact this virus has had on our customers in China and are aware of all the efforts made on the part of the Chinese to… Read More
Fast-food chain A&W has announced a commitment to sourcing 100% Canadian beef — with the added twist that the beef must be grass-finished and raised without the use of growth promotants. A&W says the move marks their commitment to regenerative agriculture and protection of Canada’s grasslands. The Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association says that it’s glad… Read More
Reduced slaughter capacity, tanked prices, and capped risk management programs have beef farmers in Ontario going public asking the federal and provincial governments to do more to #HelpBeefFarmers. Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) says producers are at a “tipping point” and facing economic crisis. The group says market and trade disruptions have caused average weekly… Read More
To Kimberly Cornish, regenerating the land is not only our responsibility, it’s our honour. Cornish is the director of the Food Water Wellness Foundation, an Alberta-based not-for-profit that “has been set up to really advance regenerative agricultural practices, or agricultural practices that are environmentally regenerative.” In a presentation to attendees of the Alberta Beef Industry… Read More
For Andrea Stroeve-Sawa, the principles of regenerative agriculture are nothing new. She jokes that at six months old, she learned them through osmosis when her dad took one of the first courses Allan Savory offered in the States in the early 80s. Stroeve-Sawa manages Shipwheel Cattle Feeders in Southern Alberta, an operation that incorporates a… Read More