Another case of BSE should not prevent Canadian livestock from returning to the American market this spring. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced borders will open March 7 to all ruminants including cattle, bison, sheep, goats, cervids like deer and elk and camelids like llamas and alpacas. When the reopening was announced Dec. 29, American […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Industry predicts bumps on road to open border
Canadian livestock producers predict bumps in the road as they rebuild business relationships for March 7, when the Americans have agreed to allow in younger animals and meat from animals of all ages. Part of the problem is finding enough truckers to haul the liner loads of feeder and slaughter-ready animals. “We are so challenged […] Read more
U.S. analysis finds positive news in renewed trade
Reopening live animal trade with Canada should have a positive economic effect for the United States, while maintaining the health of U.S. livestock. That is the finding of an analysis by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service within the U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of the 500 page rule announced Dec. 29 to […] Read more
More value adding needed
BANFF, Alta. Ñ Canada needs to pick up the pace when it comes to adding value to agricultural commodities, says the past chair of Grain Growers of Canada. “Canada is a laggard in biodiesel, bioproducts, nutritional opportunities,” Ken Bee told the Alberta Barley Commission annual meeting in Banff last month. “It is critical for the […] Read more
Poor crops taint Canada’s malt image
BANFF, Alta. Ñ Three successive years of poor barley harvests and new competition from other countries are shaking Canada from its formerly strong position in the world malting industry. “Canada’s quality image in the world with our malt has been tarnished because of these poor crops,” said Bob Chappell, president of Rahr Malting Canada Ltd. […] Read more
Producers seek details on U.S. identity rules
Canadian producers see an open border for all livestock as positive, but they have questions about identification requirements outlined by the United States for animals other than beef cattle. Llamas and alpacas, deer, elk and reindeer may move freely as of March 7, while sheep and goats younger than 12 months are permitted with proper […] Read more
Alta. offers support for alternative livestock
The Alberta government is offering $8 million in BSE aid to livestock producers outside the beef industry. The deadline to apply for money may be moved ahead of the original March 31 deadline because the United States is expected to reopen its borders to all livestock as of March 7. “The intent is to carry […] Read more
U.S. packers want ban lifted
The American Meat Institute has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court saying there is no legal or scientific justification for a continued ban on the import of Canadian cattle older than 30 months. “We welcomed (the Dec. 29) announcement from the USDA about the final rule that restores beef trade with Canada regardless of […] Read more
BSE takes toll on entire economy
The U.S. border is expected to open March 7 to exports of young Canadian cattle but the impacts of BSE in Canada continue to be felt. As Canada’s major livestock producing province, Alberta farmgate cattle receipts dropped from $3.87 billion in 2002 to $2.55 billion for 2003. There is no firm calculation for declines in […] Read more
Mountain pig focus of branding campaign
A fat little red pig standing on a mountain peak is part of the newest campaign to promote Canadian pork in Japan. It is an effort to differentiate and promote Canadian pork, which in the past has been mislabeled in Japan as domestic or American meat. With a high standard of living and expensive tastes, […] Read more
