CALGARY — Dry conditions in parts of the Prairies might bring an earlier than usual fall calf run but so far those same conditions haven’t resulted in more cows coming to town. Brian Perillat, senior analyst at Canfax, gave a generally bullish analysis Aug. 17 to those at the Canadian Beef Cattle Industry Conference, but […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
Meat audit shows work needed on improving taste
CALGARY — Juicy, tender and tasty are the benchmarks for good beef. A national meat case audit is designed to see whether the Canadian beef industry is delivering them. Results show it is, although overall satisfaction varies. “There’s only one reason to pay more than double for beef versus chicken and that’s the quality of […] Read more
Research seeks answers to why some cows shun calves
University student hopes to discover risk factors for mismothering and develop methods to get cows to accept calves
CALGARY — It’s a hassle for cow-calf producers when mothering issues appear between cows and calves. A cow may not accept its calf or a twin might have to be fostered to another cow. Whatever the circumstance, it takes time and effort to get a cow and calf together if they aren’t inclined to do […] Read more
Pharmacy for farmers expands
Farmers Farmacy expands its e-commerce reach with outlets in Lethbridge, Red Deer, Brandon and Winnipeg
It’s a pharmacy that offers everything from antibiotics and bag balm to pig toys and Z tags. Farmers Farmacy has expanded its reach to four outlets in Western Canada. The business, an e-commerce model with an on-line catalogue of more than 2,000 products for diary, swine, poultry, beef and sheep operations, has operated in Ontario […] Read moreU.S. must jump hurdles before beef heads to China
CALGARY — A deal that re-opened beef trade between the United States and China, an-nounced in May, won’t see major product flow for at least three years, says an American beef trade expert. Don Close, vice-president of animal protein with Rabo AgriFinance, said it will take at least that long for the U.S. beef supply […] Read more
Independent ag retailer debuts
TABER, Alta. — Southern Alberta has a new player in the crop inputs business. Independent Crop Inputs officially opened its doors at a new facility just off Highway 3 west of Taber. Owned and operated by six shareholders, the business is one of few independent crop protection and nutrition input sellers in southern Alberta, said […] Read more
Bison welfare standards updated in code of practice
An updated code of practice for the care and handling of bison was released Aug. 9 by the Canadian Bison Association and the National Farm Animal Care Council. Like codes of practice for other Canadian livestock, it contains requirements and recommendations on how bison should be fed, managed and handled throughout their lives. Saskatchewan bison […] Read more
Is COOL finally dead and gone?
CALGARY — Canadian cattle and hog producers want country-of-origin labelling to stay dead and buried. The U.S. based National Cattlemen’s Beef Association shares that view. “All of you sitting here know that COOL is a failed policy,” NCBA government affairs vice-president Colin Woodall said at last week’s Canadian Beef Industry Conference. “The good news is, […] Read more
U.S., Canadian ag groups optimistic on NAFTA talks
The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association is adamant that a dispute settlement process is essential to enforce the rules
CALGARY — Canadian agricultural groups have adopted part of the Hippocratic oath in describing their hopes for the ongoing North American Free Trade Agreement talks with the United States and Mexico. First, do no harm. The opening round of renegotiations on the 23-year-old agreement concluded last week as the three signatory countries outlined their goals […] Read moreBeef checkoff increase delayed but still in the works
CALGARY — Small delays and snags are slowing the process of increasing the Canadian Beef Cattle Checkoff in cattle-producing provinces. Doug Sawyer, chair of the check-off division committee for the agency, said cattle groups in eight of nine provinces have agreed to increase the national check-off to $2.50 per head but the various steps to […] Read more
