When Saskatchewan beef producer Eugene Embree calculated his share of a billion dollar BSE support program, he soon realized he was entitled to less than $1,000. The euphoria of prime minister Paul Martin’s announcement to bail out livestock producers hurt in the BSE crisis was soon tempered with reality as livestock producers counted their inventory […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
U.S. company developing eye check for livestock
An eye iris identification system invented for humans may find a wide application in the horse industry, A Kentucky company called Iristrac is testing the system on 400 Thoroughbreds to prove the concept before introducing it commercially next year. “We were able to get sufficient detail in the iris using Thoroughbreds in Kentucky. Later this […] Read more
Electronic auctions get buyer support
When the Calgary Bull Sale connected its auction ring to the internet, it welcomed the world to a 104-year-old tradition. Working with The Electronic Auction Market, known as TEAM, operated by the Calgary Public Stockyards, the computerized sale allowed potential buyers to bid in real time from anywhere in the world. “We’re able to do […] Read more
Small packers weigh opportunities
Canadians need to take control of their beef processing capabilities or face another economic calamity the next time a trade war or foreign animal disease closes borders, say some Alberta producers. “We need to have that capacity for the slaughter processing or we will be back in this boat every time the Americans or other […] Read more
Maritime co-op provides lessons
The first step toward building a producer owned packing plant should be a cautious one, says a beef industry consultant. “To be realistic, you don’t want people to lose their money or their investments,” said Joan Perrin, brand manager for Atlantic Branded Beef Management Inc., based in Prince Edward Island. She warns there is already […] Read more
Branded beef a hit
OLDS, Alta. – Selling farm fresh beef to customers willing to pay extra for quality is one way some producers are managing their way out of a volatile market. Remitall Beef was a glimmer in the Latimer family’s eye 18 months ago as they considered selling branded beef from their black Angus and polled Hereford […] Read more
Students urge Washington to lift border ban
OLDS, Alta. – A message straight from the hearts of 30 Canadian college students has been delivered to the United States Department of Agriculture pleading the case for resumed livestock trade since BSE closed borders nearly a year ago. The impacts of BSE are embedded in the lives of many students at Olds College who […] Read more
Calves need companionship
RED DEER – Raising dairy calves in small groups rather than individual pens could improve their overall health and growth, says an Agriculture Canada researcher. Young calves can be reared successfully in small groups with computerized feeders that dispense milk and grain. But few North American producers use these systems, said Anne Marie De Passille, […] Read more
Producers bet farm on border
After nearly 11 months of disastrous beef markets because of limited trade with the United States, thousands of Canadian producers are literally betting the farm on the border opening later this year. Some American producers want a lengthy closure to guard against further BSE cases appearing in their country since Canadian cattle were banned last […] Read more
Largest U.S. cattle group says border must open
Representatives of the largest American beef industry group said last week that American ranchers trying to pressure their government to keep the U.S. border closed to Canadian cattle have it wrong. “There are producers out there wishing for the Canadian border to be closed for the next millennium. If you look at that in a […] Read more
