Michael Raine

Brazilians say they can learn from Canadian agricultural co-operatives, even if some of those lessons are what not to do. Canadian farm co-operatives are disappearing and farm size is growing, but Brazilian members of a two-week national tour ending April 23 say they can still profit from the Canadian co-op and supply management models. On […] Read more

Rodeo bucking bulls may have crossed into the United States from Canada after May 20, 2003, when BSE closed the U.S. border to all ruminant animals. U.S. federal and state officials are investigating whether rodeo bulls that are on record for an event in Taber, Alta., May 23-25, 2003, also appeared later in South Dakota, […] Read more

Elk producers who have survived the four-year-old collapse of prices say they are beginning to see light at the end of the economic tunnel. The elk industry showed promise before the expanded investigation and detection of chronic wasting disease in North America. Antler sales in Asia were strong, domestic and international venison markets were being […] Read more

A national agricultural summit may be held Nov. 16-17 to examine how to restore profitability in Canadian farming. Kieran Green of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture said his organization will be proposing the summit of agricultural leaders when the CFA’s board of directors meet in Ottawa April 26-28. “We’re thinking farm income issues. So far, […] Read more

Closed. Open. Closed. Open. Closed! Open! Strong opposition and strong support for the United States opening its border to Canadian cattle characterized the opinions of the 1,564 individuals and organizations that commented on American rules to re-establish live cattle trade across the 49th parallel. BSE closed the U.S. border to live cattle imports from Canada […] Read more

Avian flu continues to be found outside the Matsqui area of the Fraser River Valley as federal officials move from a campaign of confinement to one of controlled regional slaughter. Birds in 16 infected barns in the Abbotsford, B.C., area have been killed and are being incinerated at a decommissioned mine site. Four more infected […] Read more

The American cattle industry’s largest producer association fears that a tidal wave of Canadian cattle pouring south once the border reopens will ruin what it describes as a robust market. But Canadian cattle industry spokespeople say the fear is overblown. BSE closed the border to live animals in May 2003, but it is expected that […] Read more

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – In this picturesque part of rural British Columbia, under the icy western face of Mount Baker, it is difficult to avoid poultry barns or housing developments. Local farmers say that poultry has made it possible for small farms to survive urban sprawl and the resulting drastic inflation of land values. With nearly […] Read more

Ten years after bovine trichomoniasis was found in Western Canada, the venereal disease remains a threat to cattle producers. Hiding in the folds of penis skin and in the preputial cavity of bulls, the disease has pushed cattle producers to watch every entry point for infection in their herds and even consider closing access entirely. […] Read more

Manitoba cattle producers hoping to develop their own slaughter facility for culled cattle have hit a snag. This month the board members of Rancher’s Choice Beef Co-op Ltd. had hoped to be crisscrossing the province holding meetings and selling class A voting shares to fellow producers, trying to raise $3.5 million by the end of […] Read more