Tracy Tjaden

PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, Man. – Manitoba hog producers want to know why the agency that sells most of their hogs has done an about-face on the issue of vertical integration. Producers at a Manitoba Pork district meeting here said they’re worried about vertical integrators taking control by pushing independent producers and family farm operations out […] Read more

A peek into Manitoba farms that produce pregnant mare’s urine has left an American horse abuse investigator shocked by what she found at both ends of the spectrum. And it has left a PMU spokesperson questioning her accuracy. “We found a couple who let us in and I couldn’t believe the contrast,” said Robin Theresa […] Read more

A Manitoba horse rancher is scheduled to appear in court next week after he allegedly roughed up a United States video crew that was making a documentary on the treatment of horses in the province. Pat Houde, who runs a horse feedlot near Elm Creek, said he’s sick of being hounded by animal rights groups […] Read more

EDMONTON – Alberta roads are in desperate need of repair, said the president of the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties. “Right now, our ratepayers are telling us that our road infrastructure is crumbling,” Roelof Heinen told the all-Conservative agriculture standing committee. Heinen said rural roads have been deteriorating since government cut provincial road […] Read more

The board overseeing chicken production in Manitoba has decided the smallest operations in the business should be bigger. Operating efficiencies and cost reduction were cited as reasons behind the decision of the Manitoba Chicken Producer Board to increase the minimum farm quota from 20,000 kilograms to 30,000. “They want to expand at the same time […] Read more

Implementing a quality control program doesn’t necessarily mean extra tasks for chicken producers, but it will require them to take notes on what they’re already doing. But New Bothwell, Man., producer Jake Wiebe said it’s worth it. “If it gives people the sense of satisfaction to know these things are taken care of, I have […] Read more

& Reuters News Service The end is near to a bitter labor lockout between Canadian pork processing giant Maple Leaf Foods and the union representing 500 workers at plants in Hamilton, Ont. and North Battleford, Sask. Negotiating committees for the United Food and Commercial Workers union plan to unanimously recommend workers accept the tentative deals […] Read more

Twenty years ago, the small town of Rivers in southwestern Manitoba was dealt a harsh blow when its number one employer, one of Canada’s largest air force bases during the Second World War, closed its doors for good. But Rivers is getting ready for the next big boom. The abandoned hangar is now home to […] Read more

Brandon isn’t pinning its future on hogs, said the city’s economic development officer. Maple Leaf’s decision to locate a pork plant here will draw the attention of other value-added meat processors looking to set down roots in a business friendly climate, Don Allan said. “There’s no doubt we’ve got opportunity for further value-added meat processing […] Read more

Brandon’s economic development officer is embarking on a trade mission to Europe next month with representatives from seven other cities across Canada. But Don Allan’s plans are a bit different than the rest. Where his colleagues are out to drum up new business, Allan’s itinerary is filled with meetings with companies who have tracked him […] Read more