Sustainability review | McDonald’s project examines on-farm practices
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — It is one thing to assume the Canadian beef supply is produced in a sustainable way, but proving it is another thing altogether. Companies such as McDonald’s and Walmart have promised to sell beef from sustainable operations. As a result, the Canadian industry is embarking on a life cycle analysis to measure […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Experts study genetic parasite resistance
Ability to resist invaders | Researchers hope to find animals with chromosomes that offer nematode resistance
VANCOUVER — The growing problem of parasites resistant to chemical treatments might have a genetic solution. Farmers need a long-term strategy to enhance an animal’s ability to tolerate the negative effects of worms and eventually develop resistance through genetic selection or vaccines, says French researcher Nathalie Mandonnet of Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA). […] Read moreAlta. producer wins Stampede carcass competition
Kathryn Dolliver of Stettler, Alta., is this year’s winner of the Calgary Stampede’s carcass competition with a crossbred heifer. The black female also won the market heifer division at the Stampede’s steer and heifer shows held in July. The quality beef competition is open to entrants from the steer, market heifer and jackpot heifer competitions. […] Read more
Organic potato farmers find eager markets
WINSLOE, Prince Edward Island — The red fields of Prince Edward Island are renowned for growing potatoes. Fred Dollar’s decision to grow organic potatoes is built on that reputation. Located just northeast of Charlottetown in the community of Winsloe, the Dollar family operation has gone through many changes since it started in 1915. The farm […] Read more
Alberta ranch praised for environmental stewardship and year-round use of native pasture
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Sean and Tanya McGrath of Vermilion, Alta. are the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association 2014 National Environmental Stewards. Each year, the beef association recognizes an operation for its dedication to protecting the environment. Winners are noted for their attention paid to animal care, grasslands, riparian areas, wildlife, water and general land management. Owners of […] Read more
Ritz continues to warn of tariffs over COOL
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — For many frustrated Canadian cattle and hog producers, the seemingly endless and complex legal wranglings over country-of-origin labelling are less important than when the fight will end. The latest round involves appealing a revision of the United States rule that demands labels must indicate where cattle and hogs were born, raised and […] Read more
Producers told be ready despite slow progress on EU trade agreement
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — When it comes to a free trade agreement with the European Union, the job isn’t finished until the paperwork is done. The Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement between Canada and the EU was announced last October, but in reality nothing much will happen until 2017, followed by a five-year phase-in period, said Doug […] Read more
In trade talks, Japanese deal is low-hanging fruit
Trans-Pacific Partnership | As larger deal drags, Canada pursues bilateral agreement
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Opinions are divided on how well Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations are proceeding. Canadian agriculture minister Gerry Ritz doesn’t have much faith it can move much further at this time because of elections in participating countries. On the other hand, New Zealand wants to forge ahead and get a deal inked a year from […] Read moreBlueberry production combines science, luck
SOURIS WEST, P.E.I. — A mass of blue mist blankets Paul Gallant’s fields, building his confidence for a good wild blueberry harvest this summer. Gallant has been farming since 1970 on the east coast of Prince Edward Island and has produced a variety of crops including a herd of Herefords before moving into wild blueberries […] Read more
Cattle will be running with the bulls
Renewed profitability | Expansion slow as producers look to regain lost equity
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The year 2014 will be celebrated for its phenomenal bull-run on cattle prices. “We are looking at prices a dollar higher a pound than a year ago,” said Brian Perillat, senior market analyst of Canfax. “There is a great appetite for producers to enjoy what they are doing right now,” he said […] Read more
