A new canola trait launched by Dow AgroSciences this week has the potential to expand the market for canola meal and change rations used for hog and poultry production. After 15 years of research, Dow has developed canola that yields canola meal with significantly higher protein content — a product more comparable to soybean meal than traditional canola… Read more »
Category: Pork
Who’s Working on Your Farm?
Finding good employees can be challenging for many Canadian farmers. The task can be even more daunting for livestock farmers when you consider the fact that the job applicant could be an animal rights activist intending to gather video evidence of animal abuse that will be posted on the Internet or turned over to the… Read more »
Canada to Sign TPP in New Zealand Next Week
Canada’s international trade minister says Canada intends to sign the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement in New Zealand on February 4, while emphasizing “signing does not equal ratifying” the TPP. Chrystia Freeland posted an open letter on her department’s website earlier today indicating “when the 11 other countries convene to sign the agreement next week, Canada will attend… Read more »
Over $7 Million Announced for Livestock and Forage Research Projects in Saskatchewan
A little over a week after the announcement of over $7 million for 40 crop-related research projects in Saskatchewan, the provincial government, along with the Government of Canada, gave another announcement — livestock and forage research projects will receive a $7.8 million funding contribution. “The livestock industry plays an important role in driving jobs and growth in… Read more »
How Will the Market Respond to the End of COOL?
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack declared on Friday afternoon that “effective immediately” the U.S. Department of Agriculture would not be enforcing country of origin labeling rules for beef and pork. It’s been over seven years since American packers were forced to segregate Canadian animals and meat. How quickly can they go back to operating how they… Read more »
COOL Repealed
After 13-plus years of opposition — the last seven of those in legal and trade disputes, Canadian livestock producers and their organizations are celebrating the end of U.S. country of origin labeling legislation for beef and pork today. Both the U.S. House and Senate voted in favour of the omnibus appropriations bill that includes text… Read more »
COOL Repeal Included in U.S. Funding Bill
Update Dec 18, 2015: Both the U.S. House and Senate voted in favour of the legislation, including the text to repeal COOL, on Friday. The bill now heads to the White House for President Obama’s approval. With retaliation from Canada and Mexico looming, the U.S. government took a step late Tuesday toward repealing its mandatory country… Read more »
WTO Approves C$1.1 Billion in COOL Retaliation
The World Trade Organization has given Canada and Mexico the go-ahead to retaliate against the U.S. for the discrimination caused by American country of origin meat labeling rules. The arbitrators’ decision issued Monday gave Canada permission to implement retaliatory tariffs worth up to C$1.055 billion per year. While the approved figure is less than the C$3.1 billion… Read more »
Ontario and Alberta Producers Named Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers
A pork-producing family from Ontario and a dairy goat-farming family from Alberta have been named Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2015. Mike and Amy Cronin of Bluevale, ON and Patrick and Cherylynn Bos of Ponoka, AB were recognized at the OYF national event in Edmonton this weekend. “Every year, our organization recognizes and welcomes more… Read more »
Exploring the Role of Alberta Farm Animal Care, or AFAC
The agriculture industry is pretty bogged down with acronyms, let’s face it. That’s why, every once in a while, we like to do an interview that focuses on what, exactly, these acronyms mean. This week, we’re talking AFAC, or Alberta Farm Animal Care. “We are a multi-species livestock welfare organization,” explains Kristen McDonald, marketing and membership… Read more »
Pork Sector Celebrating TPP Access Into Japan
Canada’s pork sector is welcoming the conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, specifically the market access the trade deal would provide into Japan. “While we look forward to seeing additional details in texts that become available in coming days, based on what was announced, the CPC strongly supports Canada participating in the Trans-Pacific Partnership,” said Canadian… Read more »
Tote Bags Identified as Most Likely Carrier of PEDv In U.S.
A U.S. government agency has identified what it believes is the most likely way the devastating PED virus entered the country and infected millions of pigs. The findings are both surprising and a reminder that biosecurity plans must be thorough. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service considered 17 plausible scenarios that could explain how PED and similar… Read more »
WTO Considering Canada’s $3.1 Billion COOL Retaliation Plan
Update: A decision from the WTO on Canada’s COOL retaliation plan is expected on December 7. The Canadian government is making its case to the World Trade Organization this week on why should be allowed to impose C$3.1 billion per year in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports in the dispute over country of origin labeling (COOL)…. Read more »
Loss of Packing Capacity Creating Demand Uncertainty for Ontario Hogs
The closure of two packing plants in Ontario last year has forced producers to look for hook space at processors outside the province. The uncertainty in demand is hurting confidence in the industry, suggests Guelph-based livestock and meat market analyst Kevin Grier. At the start of 2014, Ontario’s federally-inspected slaughter capacity stood at around 95,000 head… Read more »
7 Reasons to Compost Manure and Other Waste On Farms
There’s potential for much more composting in North American farming, say researchers at the University of Manitoba. “Turning waste into gold” was the theme for the annual field day at the U of M’s Glenlea Research Farm last week. Mario Tenuta, soil ecologist at the University of Manitoba, describes the value of farm-scale composting of manure,… Read more »