Efforts are underway to prevent the planned reopening of the Cargill beef processing plant in High River, Alta., slated for May 4. The United Food and Commercial Workers Union has filed an unfair labour practices complaint claiming dangerous mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic preparations within the plant. As of May 1, 921 Cargill workers had […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
Livestock optimistic on aid
Cattle industry concerns over reduced slaughter capacity and the problems it causes are thought to be rising to the top of the federal government’s list of sectors needing help during the COVID-19 pandemic. No announcements had been made as of April 27 but Canadian Cattlemen’s Association executive vice-president Dennis Laycraft said the message may be […] Read more
Hog industry asks for federal aid as farmers euthanize pigs
Canada’s hog producers are asking the federal government for an immediate direct cash payment of $20 per hog to address a cash flow crisis that has already forced some to euthanize market ready pigs. Canadian Pork Council chair Rick Bergmann said in a news conference today that producers are losing $30 to $50 per pig […] Read more
Alberta announces phased reopening plan
The Alberta government has announced a phased relaunch of businesses and services as it continues to monitor cases of COVID-19 among the populace. The three-phase plan will be altered if there are changes in the number of people admitted to hospital with the virus, and localized restrictions might be put in place if there are […] Read more
Cargill to reopen Alta. beef plant next week
Cattle producers welcomed yesterday’s news that Cargill’s beef processing plant in High River, Alta., plans to reopen May 4, two weeks after a hiatus caused by widespread worker illnesses with COVID-19. The initial slowdown and then halt of plant operations, coupled with a slowdown at the JBS processing plant in Brooks, Alta., has led to […] Read more
Set-aside proposal concerns raised
Cow-calf producers worry holding back feeder cattle to better match slaughter capacity will lower prices for their calves
Calves being born in herds across Western Canada are the start of a beef supply chain now weakened by one link: slaughter plants closed or running at reduced speeds as workers contract COVID-19. Members of the Western Stock Growers Association are among the producers of those calves and they have concerns about a proposed set-aside […] Read more
Bigger cows can skew pasture rates
Today’s commercial cows are about 1,300 lb. on average, which is heavier than what’s used in rental rate calculators
When calculating pasture rates based on animal unit months, producers should consider that most cows are heavier than the 1,000 pounds used in AUM calculations. Ted Nibourg, farm management specialist with Alberta Agriculture, said that today’s commercial cows are about 1,300 lb. on average and some are even larger. That must be taken into account […] Read more
Stampede cancellation will hit Alberta hard
Besides the iconic rodeo, events such as heavy horse displays and sheep shearing demonstrations will also be affected
Cancellation of the 2020 Calgary Stampede will deal a blow to the Alberta economy and also to the summer plans of professional cowboys, chuckwagon racers, volunteers and tourists. The annual showcase of western culture was officially cancelled April 23. Last year’s event had an economic impact of an estimated $540 million in the Calgary region, […] Read moreAlberta hog farmers seek advance payment plan
Producers are also encouraged to use money in their AgriInvest accounts as a way to ease government perceptions
Alberta pork producers have asked the provincial government to develop an advance producer payment plan of $35 per hog to keep them going during the current period of low prices and diminishing markets due to processing plant uncertainty. Alberta Pork chair Brent Moen said it now costs more money to produce a pig than farmers […] Read more
Stampede cancellation will hit Alberta hard
Cancellation of the 2020 Calgary Stampede will deal a blow to the Alberta economy and also to the summer plans of professional cowboys, chuckwagon racers, volunteers and tourists. The annual showcase of western culture was officially cancelled April 23. Last year’s event had an economic impact of an estimated $540 million in the Calgary region, […] Read more
