What carries greater downside risk: having to sell in a down market to generate cash flow, or pre-selling a crop in increments? The short answer is it depends, but the in-depth explanation is that panic or stressed sales by their nature are rarely the most profitable. Pre-selling some crop carries a risk, yes, but there… Read More
Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit, along with federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, have announced $8.1 million towards 28 livestock and forage-related research projects. These projects fall under the province’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF). From the money, $4.9 million will go towards 27 livestock and forage-related projects. Additionally, the projects will also receive more… Read More
If 2019 was the year of plant-based protein, perhaps 2020 can be the year of celebrating choice. Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, with Dalhousie University, recently spoke at the CropSphere conference at Saskatoon, Sask., about food choices, plant-based protein, and consumer trends. Overall, he says, plant protein made a huge splash in 2019 as evidenced by several… Read More
In a world market where volatility is the name of the game, “steady” is probably more positive than negative. And that’s about where we are for this first full month of 2020, says Anne Wasko of Gateway Livestock Exchange. Nearly across the board — and across the border — prices are steady, cut out is… Read More
Manitoba Ag Days may mark a beginning to the agriculture year ahead, but the hangover of 2019 is still firmly in place for the province’s farmers. A rough harvest is being made worse by the new carbon tax added to grain drying fuel bills, canola from two main exporters (one Winnipeg-based) is still blocked from… Read More
A University of Saskatchewan lab is now home to the deadly virus wreaking havoc in Asia and parts of Europe, all to support Canada’s preparedness strategy for African swine fever. In partnership with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) located in the U of S will… Read More
At some point, likely every farmer has been frustrated with markets and pricing, and thought about moving past commodity production and up the value chain. But as many quickly learn, direct marketing, dealing with processors, or even becoming a processor is not for everyone. In this episode of Mind Your Farm Business, Jeff Nonay, a… Read More
The Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association (ACFA) and the Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) recently conducted an industry competitiveness study to evaluate the industry’s ability to profitably maintain or enhance the market share of the Alberta beef industry in relation to its American counterparts. Key highlights from the report include: Beef cattle sales in Alberta amount to… Read More
Did you know that around 70 per cent of Canada’s beef exports go to the United States? Depending that much on one market means that if there is ever an issue with the United States border crossing (hello, BSE crisis), Canadian export options become slimmer than we’d like them to be. This is why Ellen… Read More
Farmers will hear much talk of the need for resilience in the years ahead. From weather and markets, to trade, to family and managing day-to-day operations, farmers need to be able to cope with the challenges and setbacks that are routinely part of production agriculture. No one personifies resilience more than Springfield, PEI, dairy farmer… Read More
More than 100 pigs have been reported stolen from a farm in Oxford township area of southwestern Ontario. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say officers with the Oxford County detachment were sent out to a farm in the area on Boxing Day after receiving a report of stolen pigs. Police say sometime between November 9,… Read More
The USDA released its latest cattle on feed report for December 1, 2019. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totalled 12 million head, that’s up 2% year-over-year. Placements in feedlots during November totalled 2.09 million head, 5 per cent… Read More
Like most years in the cattle business, 2019 brought highs and lows that will be remembered and some points we’d rather forget. From high packer margins, to uncertain feed costs, to strong demand, this year brought many challenges and opportunities for ranchers and feeders. It’s time though to put 2019 behind us and look ahead… Read More
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has implemented a “transition period” for the feed, water, and rest requirements for all livestock sectors, in addition to the previously announced grace period extended to beef and dairy animals. CFIA says it will use the first two years of the new regulation period, beginning February 2020, to “focus… Read More
An Alberta rancher has been chosen as McDonald’s Canada first-ever Canadian representative of its global breeders and model farmers program. Stephen Hughes of Chinook Ranch, will join 33 other producers, breeders, farmers, and growers from 17 different countries as part of the company’s global program. According to a news release, the members represent eight different… Read More