Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) has elected Rob Lipsett as its new president, with Jack Chaffe serving as vice president. Lipsett replaces Joe Hill, who stepped down after completing the maximum three terms on the BFO board of directors. The new executive was voted in at the 58th annual general meeting held last week in… Read More
The spread of African swine fever (ASF) heightened starting in 2007, with the start of its spread across several countries in central Asia, into China (2018), and Europe. It is highly contagious, spreads rapidly, and is of grave concern to pork producers worldwide. To date, ASF has not been found in Canada. “If we sit… Read More
A new transmission will help Massey Ferguson mid-range 5700 Global Series tractors be more efficient workhorses for livestock and and hay operations, says AGCO, the tractor’s manufacturer. Two new models, the MF5710D (100 HP) and MF5711D (110 HP), will feature the convenience of the Dyna-4 transmission, making the tractors a strong fit for loader work,… Read More
While the full implementation of the rules will happen over the next 24 months, Canada’s new livestock transport rules came into effect February 20, 2020. Anyone who transports livestock — including producers — need to make sure they are familiar with notable changes to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) Health of Animals Regulations (Part… Read More
Provincially inspected abattoirs have until the end of April to apply for part of a $2 million Ontario fund aimed at improving food safety, animal welfare, and biosecurity measures at their operations. Available through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP), eligible projects may include: capital upgrades for enhanced food safety, improvements in the safe handling and… Read More
National hog and poultry groups are welcoming proposed legislation aimed at mitigating animal health risks from trespassers on farms. Conservative shadow minister for agriculture and Foothills MP John Barlow introduced Bill C-205 on Tuesday. The private member’s bill would make it an offence under the Health of Animals Act to enter, without lawful authority or… Read More
For a company that proclaims its loyalty to Canadian ranchers on the back and sides of its transport trucks, navigating a foray into the plant-based market is going to be somewhat tricky. McDonald’s marketing director Jean-Guillaume Bertola fully understands that the company has to strike a balance between adapting menus based on changing consumer preferences,… Read More
Canada’s current bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) status, as defined by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), is “controlled risk.” Canada was eligible to apply to downgrade its risk status last summer; however, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says it’s on track to submit for “negligible risk” status by July of this year. “The U.S…. Read More
The China-U.S. mega trade deal promising big things for ag product sales has seen some of its momentum lost to the coronavirus outbreak. “It makes things way more complicated,” says Don Close, a senior analyst at RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness. “As soon as that agreement was signed, U.S. markets started to sell off, and have… Read More
News of the U.S./China trade deal has largely focused on China agreeing to purchase $80 billion in U.S. agricultural goods over the next two years, but there are other clauses in the text of the deal that have the potential for a large impact on American and Canadian beef producers. The deal also includes a… Read More
In a stroke of good luck, both Anne Wasko of Gateway Livestock Exchange and Shaun Haney, host of RealAg Radio, were in San Antonio, TX this week to take in the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s annual convention. That means this edition of the Beef Market Update is a very special in-person recording, which makes the… Read More
Feed costs are one of the variables that cattle feeders have to keep a close eye on, no matter the year. Early indications for this year, at least, look to be feeder-friendly. The 2019 corn crop faced very adverse conditions and still came out with a respectable yield. United States Department of Agriculture and many… Read More
Montreal-based dairy processing giant Saputo has announced plans to close facilities at Trenton, Ont., and Saint John, New Brunswick. The company says the closures are “aimed at improving its operational efficiency and right-sizing both its manufacturing footprint and sales force in Canada.” The Trenton plant is scheduled to be shut down in September of this… Read More
United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue held a press conference at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association convention this week in San Antonio, Texas, to talk about the U.S. government’s work on trade, dairy access, and more. As one of the biggest supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump’s agenda, Secretary Purdue boasted about the… Read More
Beef industry leaders from Canada, United States, and Mexico are meeting in San Antonio, Texas this week at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Cattle Industry Convention. Representatives from all three countries discussed the progress on ratifying the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. With Mexico and the U.S. ratifying the deal, Canada is the lone country left… Read More