After a goodwill request to meet to build trust and discuss the re-establishment of a Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF) that represents all provinces at a national level, the CSF has responded with a resounding no. Marc Carere, chair of Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF), committed to the membership an open and transparent process regarding any discussion… Read More
To say the futures market took a bit of a nosedive this week would not be an exaggeration. It has, however, been doing its best to try to recover some of those losses. Anne Wasko of the Gateway Livestock Exchange says in the latest Beef Market Update that the moves have been very volatile lately…. Read More
If I want it done right, I’ll do it myself. Is that a phrase that you often say or think as a farmer? Delegation is a learned skill and one that doesn’t always come easily, especially if you’re used to working independently. On a recent Farmer Rapid Fire segment over on RealAg Radio, host Shaun… Read More
The Bank of Canada has announced it will hold firm at a 0.25 per cent interest rate for now; and, given the commentary around the announcement, likely for some time. According to J.P. Gervais, chief economist with Farm Credit Canada, it’s not an unexpected outcome. “When you comb through the [Bank of Canada] statement, what… Read More
In a recent RealAg LIVE feature with Michelle Miller (aka The Farm Babe), the issue of advocacy in agriculture came up. Promoting the industry and connecting with consumers has become more important, but how does agriculture amplify its voice? Miller, and others, think a celebrity might be the ticket. They would appeal to the general… Read More
A first-of-its-kind partnership between Ontario’s TVO and the Dairy Farmers of Ontario has not received the warmest welcome by some of its viewers and readers. TVO is a publicly-funded educational television network and media organization operated by the Ontario Educational Communications Authority, a Crown corporation owned by the Government of Ontario. Dairy Farmers of Ontario… Read More
A land and cattle operation that includes consistent cover crops in a diverse cropping mix can offer several benefits, including improved soil fitness, better equipment and water holding capacity, and a decreased diesel fuel bill. In this episode of the Soil School, Bernard Tobin is joined by Elmwood, Ont.-based Ken Schaus from Schaus Land and… Read More
The Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) held its annual general meeting October 23, via Zoom, and the chair’s opening report directly addressed the ongoing issue of dissension within the membership and the Canadian sheep industry as a whole. “I am frustrated by the distrust in our industry that has led to too many acrimonious and hostile… Read More
Most of us learned early that you need to keep your promises if you want to be trusted. In politics, however, promises are rarely kept; instead, they’re wiggled out of, often after an election, giving politicians a terrible reputation in the trust department. In the last several years, supply management has not prevented Canada negotiating… Read More
The Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is calling on the federal government to keep its promise on compensation for dairy farmers, stemming from international trade deals that allowed for dairy product access into Canada’s supply managed value chain. “When a dairy farmer makes a commitment, his or her word is gold. We hold our government… Read More
Exceldor says it’s dealing with 27 positive cases of COVID-19 among employees at the farmer-owned co-op’s poultry processing plant at Blumenort, Manitoba, as of Wednesday afternoon. The facility, which was owned by Granny’s Poultry before Granny’s merged with Exceldor last year, employs around 650 people. “We are dealing with cases of community transmission beyond our… Read More
Fifty years ago, supply management was formed to “save the family farm” and today, the reason for such a system to exist is becoming less clear to some researchers and analysts. A report was recently released on the future of supply management, titled Supply Management 2.0, A Possible Roadmap for the Canadian Dairy Industry. Dr…. Read More
Those opposed to supply management of dairy in Canada often point to other countries that have moved away from the system as success stories. But delving deeper into some of these systems shows that not all dairy value chains can be compared apples to apples (carton to carton?), but that like it or not, the… Read More
University of Saskatchewan forage breeder and professor emeritus Dr. Bruce Coulman has been appointed the interim director of the school’s Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence. Coulman will replace Kris Ringwall, who is retiring at the end of the month. Ringwall joined the centre around the time it opened in late 2018 and oversaw the… Read More
JBS Foods Canada has announced a long-term commitment with Kanematsu, a Japanese food service and distribution company. Japan imported 49,317 tonnes of Canadian beef valued at $353.5 million in 2019. The company will focus on using Alberta Beef-branded product, including Northern Gold and the Canadian Diamond Black Angus brand, in development of this overseas partnership…. Read More
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