INNISFAIL, Alta. – An aggressive marketing plan through Sunterra Meats is placing more Canadian lamb in the retail market and high-end restaurants. It has secured large customers like Western Canada Safeways, Sobey’s in Ontario, Calgary Co-op, Thrifty’s on Vancouver Island and Sunterra Food Markets. Retailers have been sympathetic to the border closure problem but may […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Ideas boost lamb profits
INNISFAIL, Alta. – If producers want to earn top money for their lambs, there are a number of things they can do to improve slaughter animals. Veteran lamb buyer Randy Smith of Sunterra Meats at Innisfail said buyers first check conformation and fat cover on lambs. “Anybody feeding an animal and puts on more than […] Read more
Attention to detail, ideas help partners achieve dreams
STRATHMORE, Alta. – Greg Appleyard came to Cattleland Feedyard as a brash 23 year old looking for a job. Owner Pat Fisher gave him a one month’s trial as farm manager. Seven years later he owned the place. “It was a matter of opportunity and luck,” Appleyard says today. He and his wife Candace and […] Read more
Mexico becomes Canada’s best friend in BSE crisis
Mexico has become Canada’s most liberal trading partner since BSE prevented beef exports to most major markets. “Mexico has been a true friend to Canada,” said Blair Coomber, director general for international trade policy within Agriculture Canada. Shipments increased from 18,000 tonnes in 2002 to 44,000 this year, and Mexico has indicated a willingness to […] Read more
Canada looks to secure diversified beef market
In pre-BSE days, the Canada Beef Export Federation set an ambitious goal to lessen the country’s dependence on the American market by 2010. As a BSE-positive country, Canada now must sell an extra 400,000-600,000 tonnes of beef to the world by 2007 as the herd grows. Canada will continue to trade with the United States […] Read more
Funds offered for more BSE testing
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is offering a $4.1 million incentive for producers to submit more cattle for BSE testing so that international surveillance targets can be met. While national in scope, the provinces are likely to approach the program in different ways, depending on herd size, available facilities and administration costs. “We are looking […] Read more
Alta. gives added incentive to test
Alberta is the only province to ramp up BSE testing since a national surveillance program was announced Sept. 20. The Alberta program will cost about $400 per animal and is over and above what will be spent under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency program. The Alberta plan pays $150 with a top-up from CFIA for […] Read more
Open border rules in limbo
A rule to allow live Canadian cattle into the United States appears to have stalled. “The United States has not given any indication of timing,” said Blair Coomber, director general for international trade policy at Agriculture Canada. “It is our contention that a closed border causes significant repercussions for the U.S.,” he told the annual […] Read more
B.C. offers BSE cash advance
A $30 million cash advance for British Columbia cattle producers who are burdened with economic losses caused by BSE has received a mixed reaction. B.C. agriculture minister John van Dongen announced Sept. 21 that the province is offering cash advances of $100 per breeding cow through the Canadian Agriculture Income Stabilization program. The program pays […] Read more
More work needed on Japan to turn Asian tide
Japan may be convinced to relax some of its demands for BSE testing of imported beef. Disagreement over the need for universal testing of beef animals is the biggest hindrance to resuming trade with Canada and the United States, said Tomoshige Sakamoto. The director of the Canada Beef Export Federation office in Tokyo spoke at […] Read more
