Two acronyms of the grain trade – KVD and HVK – may be on their way out, much to the relief of growers who argue they do not benefit the Canadian grading system. When the Western Standards Committee meets later this year it may decide to remove hard vitreous kernels, or HVK, and kernel visual […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Farmer cultivates unique marketing plan
It couldn’t be right. Chickens clucking on the third floor of one of Calgary’s poshest downtown hotels? There they were, larger-than-life animatronic chickens from the farm of Ontario farmer Jerry Howell. The clucking, singing chickens were on display at the North American Farm Direct conference in Calgary, a convention for those interested in learning more […] Read more
Beef quality could boost producer profit
RED DEER – Beef producers may be able to make money in an otherwise soft cattle market this year if they can raise a steer that grades high on quality. “If you can produce the higher grading cattle as far as quality grade, you’re going to have a readily available market to you and it […] Read more
Cattle trade controversy baseless, says CCA official
American claims of missing health documents and ear tags on Canadian cattle bound for the United States appear to be unfounded. John Masswohl of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association said the claims, reported in U.S. media last week, were taken out of context to discredit the U.S. Department of Agriculture and its efforts to implement a […] Read more
Britain whittling down BSE cases
With more than 189,000 reported cases of BSE in Great Britain since 1986, the main goal of scientists in that country is to stop recycling the fatal brain wasting disease, says a British veterinarian. “The truth is the origin of BSE is unknown and may never be known with certainty,” said Ray Bradley, a former […] Read more
Canada food guide reduces focus on meat
VANCOUVER – The new Canada Food Guide has reduced portions and places a greater emphasis on fruit, vegetables and grain over meat and protein alternatives such as beans, nuts and tofu. Individual meat and alternative servings are down to 75 grams, which is 2.5 ounces or half a cup, something groups promoting pork and beef […] Read more
Vaccination program leads to profitability
LACOMBE, Alta. – The goal of every cattle producer is for each cow to wean a live, healthy calf every 12 months, but an array of diseases can get in the way. Each cycle of a cow’s life from prebreeding, breeding, preweaning, weaning and precalving requires different nutrition and management adjustments. Among the important management […] Read more
Discriminating buyers can be swayed by vaccination records
BROOKS, Alta. – Creating healthy, strong calves starts at the farm with an effective vaccination program, says Brooks veterinarian Tim Keegan. Herd health has improved over the years because more producers are semen testing their bulls and pregnancy checking their cows, Keegan told a cow profits seminar in Brooks. These checks have reduced the number […] Read more
U.S. meat laws could harm Canadian exports
VANCOUVER – The struggle in the United States to advance Rule 2 and delay country-of-origin labelling keeps Canadian exporters nervous. Patrick Boyle, president of the American Meat Institute representing packers and processors, says a Democrat-controlled Congress could mean changes in trade policy and affect Canadian meat exporters. Country-of-origin labelling is scheduled to go into effect […] Read more
Meat industry seeks national standard
VANCOUVER – Canada needs a single national meat inspection system and all plants should meet the federal standard, say industry officials. Executives of the Canadian Meat Council argue a myriad of food safety standards across the country is no longer adequate and it confuses consumers. One standard would be easier to administer. “Provinces should take […] Read more
