Linking consumer food demands to compensation risks putting industry sustainability on shoulders of uninformed public
In surveys and research, consumers often indicate they want dairy cows to have pasture access, pigs to be in loose housing and chickens to have freedom of movement. Whether consumers are willing to pay more for food produced in ways they say they want is another matter. On farmers’ part, they often say that if […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
Meat plant improvements called best option for worker safety
Academic says small-scale meat processors most effective way to improve worker safety, but the system is impractical
Consumer desire for inexpensive food led to creation of large meat-processing plants and that led to conditions ideal for spread of COVID-19. Options to mitigate future outbreaks of COVID or any other infectious disease are threefold, according to University of Manitoba agri-business professor Jared Carlberg: Develop a system of small-scale meat processing facilities. Develop alternative […] Read more
Research agency ponders proposals
The first call for research proposals and funding through Alberta’s new Results Driven Agriculture Research entity yielded 117 applications requesting more than $33 million. Dr. David Chalack, chair of RDAR, gave an update on the organizations activities Dec. 3 during the online Farming Smarter conference. The farmer-led organization has $4 million to distribute in this […] Read more
COVID-19 trade tensions continue to worsen
Bright spots include Canada and the United States’ ability to keep their border open to food and commodity trade
It’s no surprise that trade relationships have suffered from the global pandemic, says the executive director of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance. And they show signs of worsening. “We must be prepared and mindful that many countries around the world have and will try to use the current crisis to introduce new protectionist measures for […] Read more
Mustard focus keeps Alberta farmers hopping
On the Farm: Family buys from a local grain terminal and processes it in a commercial kitchen in a local community hall
There have been times when acres of blooming mustard decorated the fields at Luco Farms near Lethbridge. Those acres formed the basis of a business in prepared mustards that is now operated by the father and son team of Robert and Ben Luco. The two have prairie roots, and “prairie” is in the name of […] Read more
New Alberta feedlot ready to buy cattle next year
The project near Enchant is thought to be the first large from-scratch facility to be built in this region of the province in the past 10 years
A new 40,000-head feedlot north of Enchant, Alta., is on pace to start accepting cattle as early as March. Serfas Farms began the project in June and it is expected to be fully complete in the third quarter of 2021. The new build is likely the first large from-scratch feedlot to be built in the […] Read more
COVID-19 cases on the rise at southern Alberta feedlots
Public health officials encourage businesses to focus on staff rooms, vehicle sharing and moving animals in tight spaces
Five southern Alberta feedlots have had clusters of COVID-19 among staff and support personnel and Alberta Health Services has advised on special precautions. In a letter to the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association, AHS said it has seen “an increasing trend” of COVID-19 infections at feedlots since early November, which aligns with a rising number of […] Read more
Beef called wrong target in health movement
Nutritionist sets out to debunk the argument that vegetarianism and veganism are the only healthy choices for the future
Author and nutritionist Diana Rodgers has taken on many modern myths surrounding red meat and cattle production. A partial list includes: Beef causes cancer and/or heart disease. Beef is unnecessary in modern diets. Cattle production is bad for the environment. Raising cattle for beef is unethical. Plant-based protein is cleaner. Rodgers approaches these concepts and […] Read more
Biobed advocate honoured for conservation work
The late Claudia Sheedy, a research scientist with Agriculture Canada, is this year’s recipient of the Orville Yanke award. It is issued annually to recognize leadership and contributions in southern Alberta soil conservation. Sheedy was instrumental in researching and disseminating information on biobeds, a method of eliminating pesticide residue from the rinsate in crop sprayer […] Read more
Alta. hog producers ask for orderly marketing
Support for single desk said driven by low profitability and higher prices in Quebec resulting from its pricing model
Alberta pork producers last week voted 68 percent in favour of pursuing a single-desk system for selling their pigs. The vote shows the depth of frustration among producers as they continue to lose money on every hog while packers record major profits. The resolution that passed Nov. 26 directed the board to pursue a system […] Read more
