Mary MacArthur

A barbecue that began as one person’s attempt to help hard hit beef producers has raised more than $45,000 for farmers and rural food banks. After more than 80 hours, 300 volunteers and 9,000 hamburgers later, the world’s longest barbecue wrapped up Oct. 30. “It was phenomenal. It just proves Alberta farmers are tough,” said […] Read more

The list of names in the group of Canadian cattle producers banding together to launch their industry’s first ever trade challenge against the United States has been made. The Canadian Cattlemen for Fair Trade had until the end of October to gather a list of producers willing to open their books and publicly verify that […] Read more

When Albertans go to the polls Nov. 22 to vote for their provincial election candidate, they can also vote for at least four people they hope will be elected, then appointed, as senators. It’s the third time Albertans have voted for a senator-in-waiting, hoping the prime minister will appoint the candidates they choose. In 1990, […] Read more

Canada has met its goal of testing at least 8,000 high-risk cattle for BSE to maintain a minimal risk status with its trading partners. As of Oct. 27, 8,968 animals had been tested for BSE and all tested negative. Gary Little, a veterinarian with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, said meeting the 30,000-head target next […] Read more

Barring a political earthquake, Alberta’s governing Progressive Conservative party under premier Ralph Klein is expected to roll back into office in the upcoming provincial election with as much support as it has heading into the vote. The Tories now hold 74 of the 83 seats. The Liberals have five, NDP two and the Alberta Alliance […] Read more

The Alberta government is asking hunters to submit heads of wild deer and elk from animals shot in certain parts of the province as part of its annual survey for chronic wasting disease. It’s the seventh year the province’s sustainable resource department has asked hunters to submit heads from mule deer, white-tailed deer and elk. […] Read more

British Columbia cattle producers have the choice of two end dates for the national calf set-aside program. Producers who choose to keep their 2004-born calves off the market until Jan. 1, 2006, will get $200 per head from the federal and provincial government, the same as producers in Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. If they choose […] Read more

Canadian cattle producers are getting high-powered American support for reopening the border to Canadian cattle, but some observers don’t know if that will translate into an open border any time soon. In October, four Republican American lobby groups sent a joint letter to president George Bush, asking him to reopen the U.S. border to Canadian […] Read more

Prairie malting barley is in short supply this year due to early frost and too much rain before harvest. Jack Foster, director of barley procurement with Prairie Malt Inc., in Biggar, Sask., said supplies will be tight. “What we’re up against this year is making sure there’s enough barley for the Canadian malt companies,” said […] Read more

It will take time before government and industry can determine whether the fed cattle set-aside program is a success. Only six feedlots successfully bid to set aside 2,035 cattle in the industry’s first attempt to limit the supply of cattle heading to packers. It’s hoped the program will steady fat cattle prices. Cor Van Raay […] Read more