Carbon pricing increases costs for producers, feedlot operators with limited ability to pass on costs
OTTAWA — Carbon pricing policies across Canada could add costs and affect producer competitiveness. “Carbon taxes have the potential to impact business or management programs in unexpected ways,” Brenna Grant, research analyst with Canfax, said at the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association annual meeting in Ottawa March 21-23. A study commissioned by the cattlemen’s association examined the […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Case made for business plan
PONOKA, Alta. — About a quarter of Canadian farmers lack a written business plan even though it could increase profitability. A 2015 Ipsos Agriculture study called Dollars and Sense conducted in 2015 showed those with a written plan had a five times higher return on assets than those who do not, said Herman Simons of […] Read more
Euthanizing cattle must be done correctly
The decision to put an animal down is difficult. “Our biggest issue is timeliness where people actually do not do it when it needs to be done,” said animal welfare specialist Jennifer Woods, who trains producers on euthanasia techniques. Another common problem is not using a powerful enough firearm and not hitting the proper location […] Read more
Protect NAFTA benefits: producers
OTTAWA — The Canadian beef industry wants to remind negotiators to do no harm when revising the North American Free Trade Agreement. “We want to make sure everyone understands that as far as the Canadian, American and Mexican beef industries are concerned, NAFTA has been very good for us. The top priority is to keep […] Read more
Beef improvement network remains work in progress
The idea of a Canadian beef improvement network remains on the drawing board, but little recent progress has been made. John Crowley, director of scientific and industry advancement at the Canadian Beef Breeds Council, said there is a need to link researchers with industry. “Genetic improvement as an activity to enhance overall production and environmental […] Read more
Brexit casts doubt on cattle trade with Great Britain
OTTAWA — Canada negotiated a free trade agreement with the European Union but now that the United Kingdom is leaving the EU, questions arise about the future. “The U.K. has been one of our best allies there,” said John Masswohl of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. “We are in the realm of speculation about what might […] Read more
Cattle producers call revised TPP ‘most significant deal since NAFTA’ was signed
Canada’s minister of agriculture said he would rather get the CPTPP deal right than push its ratification through quickly. “I don’t believe in fast tracking. I believe in doing it right,” said Lawrence MacAuley while in Calgary March 26. MacAuley said there are long-term advantages to the deal among the 11 members that includes Australia, […] Read more
Council pushes for live cattle entry to China
Getting Canadian product to China is a priority for beef marketers, but movement to that country continues to be slow. For the Canadian Beef Breeds Council sending live purebred cattle would be a coup. “They are asking for genetics and we have to work on getting live cattle access,” said Michael Latimer, executive director of […] Read more
Farmfair to stay in Edmonton
The show must go on for Farmfair International. The Edmonton based event will be held Nov. 7-11, said Lisa Holmes of Farmfair. “Farmfair will be at the Edmonton Expo centre for the next five years for sure and we plan to negotiate for the next five years,” she said. The organization has become a tenant […] Read more
Quebec beef producers join CCA
Quebec’s beef producers association has joined the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. Les Producteurs de bovins du Québec agreed to join the national organization at its annual meeting April 4-6. Membership in the CCA allows Quebec beef producers to join working committees and have more information on issues like foreign trade agreements, environment and sustainable beef production. […] Read more
