Canadian beef exports add at least $600 per head in value, compared to the domestic market, and numbers show that trade is accelerating. Deals like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership push down tariffs and open doors to high value markets like Japan. “There has been triple the volume of beef that has […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
U.S. beef exporters fear declining sales to Japanese market
NEW ORLEANS, La. — The U.S. beef sector exported about US$8.25 billion worth of beef last year and the industry has high hopes for continued growth. Trade agreements remove duties and non-tariff barriers so favourable deals are needed, said Kent Bacus, trade policy director for the U.S. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “Customers want our beef […] Read more
Balance urged with rotation between profit, productivity
BANFF, Alta. — Decreasing agricultural diversity could affect sustainability. “The trend is toward simplification of our systems with fewer crops dominating the landscape,” said Bill Deen of the University of Guelph in Ontario. He and other scientists are studying the importance of longer crop rotations for soil health and improved productivity, yet some farmers are […] Read more
Beef industry faces cultural challenges in new markets
Consumers around the world have different cultural and dietary tastes and it will be a challenge to meet those needs
HOUSTON, Texas — Meeting demands of consumers with different cultural and dietary tastes could be the next challenge facing beef-producing nations. Major beef exports come from United States, Australia, Canada and Brazil yet the greatest demand is in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, where beef is probably a luxury item and may only be […] Read more
Two bulls hit price stratosphere
(Editor’s note: This story has been corrected from an original version.) It was – 40 C on Feb. 25 when the Beechinor family prepared for their seventh bull sale. They never imagined that the pace of their sale would be so hot. Stefon and Rebecca Beechinor of Bentley, Alta., and partner JNR Farms of Willingdon, […] Read more
Proper colostrum consumption called key to successful calving
RED DEER — Colostrum is vital for a calf in its first hours of life. Colostrum provides passive immunity where antibodies are transferred from the dam to the calf but research has discovered about a third of beef calves in Alberta do not get enough. Inadequate passive immunity means they have a 50 percent higher […] Read more
Labour program draws praise
OTTAWA — A three-year pilot program to bring in full-time, permanent agriculture workers for the meat industry is being applauded as a major win. The details of the pilot announced in the recent federal budget have not been revealed, but the Canadian Meat Council is hoping it provides some relief for job vacancies. The pilot […] Read more
Managing disease requires joint effort
RED DEER — Disease management is a triad where each part needs attention to keep cattle healthy. Bad weather, wet conditions, stress and crowding can all be managed to keep pathogens from taking hold. Along with good nutrition and vaccination, animals get a fighting chance against an array of diseases. “Vaccination does not stand alone. […] Read more
Beef trade to Japan appears on the rise
OTTAWA — Canadian beef exports to Japan made significant gains in January and February. Shipments in January trade went up 40 percent from same time last year and reports indicate business in February was also up from last year. The increases are credited to Canada and Japan being part of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement […] Read more
Paying for pasture carbon called tricky issue
Paying ranchers for carbon sequestration in grasslands is on the Alberta government agenda but it could be challenging to put into practice. “It is going to take some time to get done,” said Alastair Handley, founder and president of Carbon Credit Solutions based at Airdrie, Alta. The company has about 3,000 growers involved in generating […] Read more
