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
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
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
Feed discovery still baffles
The discovery of animal protein in grain- and vegetable-based feed has inspectors and feed mill officials trying to determine what went wrong. Canadian Food Inspection Agency tests conducted between last January and March found minute traces of animal protein, said Serge Tolusso of the agency’s feed division. Staff tested the animal feed to see if […] Read more
Beef trade with Cuba resumes
Cuba has agreed to resume buying Canadian beef as of Dec. 14. Cuba is willing to accept a broad range of products from cattle of any age, with the exception of mechanically separated meat, vertebral column, trimmings and tissues derived from the head. It is also accepting pet food that does not contain ruminant meat […] Read more
Beef promoter needs cash to tout product
As the Canadian cattle industry struggles to rebuild, it is looking to organizations like the Beef Information Centre to lead the way. However, the producer-funded agency says it is struggling with a heavy workload and shoestring budget as it tries to sell more beef to more people. “We’re spending a lot of time trying to […] Read more
ABP debates controls on industry
Alberta cattle producers want controls placed on the powerful players in the beef marketing sector. Delegates to the Alberta Beef Producers annual meeting in Calgary Dec. 6-8 debated resolutions on restricted packer ownership of cattle and mandatory price reporting, although few of the proposals received the group’s assent. Delegate Hugh Lynch Staunton of Lundbreck said […] Read more
Canada still lacks health crisis plan
After 18 months of living with BSE and a summer of avian influenza, Canada still does not have a workable national strategy to handle animal health crises. “It seems inconceivable to me that we could have gotten this far without one,” said Matt Taylor of the Canadian Animal Health Coalition, which represents the health concerns […] Read more
