Tracking pigs in Canada will become mandatory in July, as will the establishment of a national swine traceability system. Changes to Canadian animal health regulations to amend the necessary legislation were published in the Canada Gazette at the end of February. In a news release, the Canadian Pork Council said it has worked closely with […] Read more
Stories by Mary MacArthur
Ag innovation receives extra funding in B.C.
The creation of innovative agricultural products in British Columbia will receive a boost over the next five years with an additional $10.4 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments. Nineteen projects in the Canada-B.C. Agri-Innovation Program have been announced since an initial $3 million was announced last July through the Growing Forward 2 […] Read more
Frigid weather doesn’t bother cold-hardy bison herds
The nasty weather that has blanketed the Prairies this winter may have most people cursing, but it doesn’t bother bison. Instead of fighting nature, the Bison Producers of Alberta want more people to start raising the animal that is best suited for the prairie climate. “The cold doesn’t bother them. They’re perfectly adapted to the […] Read more
Alberta budget boosts ag spending
EDMONTON — Agriculture funding received a boost in this year’s Alberta budget. The province has established a $200 million endowment fund for agriculture and food innovation within the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund. The Agriculture Food and Innovation Account will allot $9 million a year for the next three years from the $200 million fund […] Read more
Alberta’s balanced budget claim questioned
EDMONTON — The Alberta government has a “fully balanced budget” for the first time in seven years, thanks to booming oil revenue and strong taxes, says Alberta’s finance minister. “It’s been a long road to get here,” Doug Horner told a news conference to explain the 2014 budget. Alberta is expected to have an operating […] Read more
Alberta wants input on rural economic development
Rural Albertans will be asked to help create a rural economic development action plan over the next six weeks, said Alberta agriculture minister Verlyn Olson. Five government MLAs will travel to eight rural Alberta communities in March and April looking for ideas about how to maintain and enhance the economy of rural Alberta. “We want […] Read more
Food producers learn about rules, direct selling methods
Angela Thygesen already sells beef at a farmers market, but her customers keep asking her for chicken and eggs. However, she doesn’t want to jump in blind. First, she wants to know the rules and regulations of what she can and can’t do when selling directly to customers. Thygesen looked for answers at a recent […] Read more
E. coli outbreak leads to new rules for mechanically tenderized beef
Mechanically tenderized beef that is sold in Canada must now be labelled as such and include safe cooking instructions. The new regulations, which come into effect May 15, follow an E. coli O157 outbreak in 2012 at the XL Foods plant in Brooks, Alta. The contaminated beef, which was linked to 18 cases of illness, […] Read more
Supplies tight as forages gain interest
INNISFAIL, Alta. — The joke in Kevin Shaw’s house is that he needs to bring his business cards and price lists to the curling rink because of the increased interest in forage seed. The Pickseed salesperson said the drop in cereal and oilseed prices has encouraged producers to take a second look at forage seed. […] Read more
B.C. ag innovation to receive extra $10.4 million
The creation of innovative agricultural products in British Columbia will receive a boost over the next five years with an additional $10.4 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments. Nineteen projects in the Canada-B.C. Agri-Innovation Program have been announced since an initial $3 million was announced last July through the Growing Forward 2 […] Read more
