Cattle producers have high hopes for Canada’s new Agricultural Market Access Secretariat. “The expectations are quite daunting,” said Fred Gorrell, named director general of AMAS in June. Speaking to the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association foreign trade committee last week in Regina, Gorrell said the secretariat will focus on four or five priority markets as it begins […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Don’t nix beef from EU deal, urge cattlemen
Canadian cattle producers say trade talks with the European Union hold promise for them but only if beef isn’t carved out of the negotiations. Travis Toews, vice-president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and chair of the foreign trade committee, said the EU could be a strong number two market behind the United States. However, he […] Read more
Ritz calms CCA delegates
Gerry Ritz’s appearance seemed to satisfy a room full of cattle producers in Regina last week. There were no angry words during a 36-minute question-and-answer session to end the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association semi-annual meeting. President Brad Wildeman said Ritz has worked hard, particularly on long-term solutions that could make agriculture more sustainable. Immediate aid was […] Read more
South Korea stalls on beef imports
Canada should have been much more aggressive in its post-BSE negotiations with South Korea, says the Canadian Beef Export Federation director in that country. That includes taking a complaint to the World Trade Organization much sooner. Amos Kim told the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association semi-annual meeting in Regina that Canada negotiated market access in good faith. […] Read more
Cattle inventory reduction could spark price rebound
Canada’s cow herd will continue to shrink in the short term as producers cope with market volatility, says the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association research manager. Andrea Brocklebank, who is also interim manager of Canfax, told the association’s semi-annual meeting in Regina last week that she expects a reduction of two to three percent this year, compared […] Read more
Saddling up for a dream job
YELLOW GRASS, Sask. – Taylor Douglas and Tegan Marshall have faced the same choice many farm couples have to make – a new house for them or new housing for livestock. A month ago, a new indoor riding arena with a barn in one end went up in their yard southwest of Yellow Grass, Sask. […] Read more
Follow our example: DFC
Canada’s supply managed dairy sector should be an example to those struggling with depressed world milk prices, said Dairy Farmers of Canada president Jacques Laforge. As producers in other countries sell their milk at below the cost of production, Canadian farmers enjoy price and production stability. That should strengthen the argument for supply management at […] Read more
Straight combining canola a challenge
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. – Jim Bessel does not recommend straight combining canola, but the senior agronomist with the Canola Council of Canada says he knows producers are going to do it anyway. “We know that about 15 percent of you straight combine now,” he told producers attending a field day at the Wheatland Conservation Area […] Read more
Camelina proves hardy
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. – Camelina’s long history as an oil source – it was widely used at least until the Middle Ages – should ensure its place in the alternative fuels market. There has been renewed focus on the ancient crop from the mustard family over the past several years. Eric Oliver, field service representative […] Read more
DNA traceability on horizon?
A DNA-supported livestock traceability system might not be that far off. Brian Van Doormaal, general manager of the Canadian Dairy Network, said industry will soon apply for government money to help fund the National Dairy Cattle Genomics Initiative. The dairy industry has already approved its participation in the five-year, $40-million project that will collect DNA […] Read more
