Livestock Management
The affected farms have a few things in common, but no firm links regarding potential spread are evident
A few answers and more questions have emerged as investigations continue into Alberta’s four cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. The fourth case was confirmed March 15, two days after a provincial briefing on the first three cases. Investigators in the provincial chief veterinary office and Alberta Agriculture have ruled out several ways the virus […] Read more
Livestock Management
African swine fever threat hangs over industry
China’s sow numbers are estimated to be down 15 percent, which could force it to look for alternative protein sources
RED DEER — The calamity of African swine fever in China could completely change the global protein structure. Millions of pigs have died from the fatal virus so China will begin a multi-year surge of pork imports and probably beef and poultry as well to fill demand and replace lost production. Chinese meat prices will […] Read more
Kidney disease in horses is a rare but serious condition
In the animal world, cats are the species most often affected by chronic kidney disease. But slow deterioration of the kidney can occur in any animal, including horses. Kidneys are vital organs that have many important bodily functions. This pair of dark red organs sits tucked up along the lower back. They filter out nitrogen […] Read more
China faces long-term African swine fever effects
HOUSTON, Texas — African swine fever is hitting China with a vengeance and it could be a decade before the effects of the deadly virus are brought under control. “This is potentially the worst animal health crisis of the modern world,” said Don Close of Rabo AgFinance at the International Livestock Congress held in Houston […] Read more
Lethbridge cattle head tax case may go to Supreme Court
RED DEER — An application has been filed to the Supreme Court of Canada for the right to appeal a decision upholding a per animal unit tax in Lethbridge County. The highest court’s decision on whether to agree to hear the case is expected in about three months. The legality of the head tax imposed […] Read more
Federal budget 2019: supply management help, national food policy
A raucous opposition drowned out finance minister Bill Morneau’s budget speech in the House of Commons March 19. But the pre-election budget documents promise spending to help supply-managed farmers weather trade agreements and high-speed internet for all. The budget sets aside up to $3.9 billion for dairy, poultry and egg producers affected by trade deals. […] Read more
Weekly Manitoba cattle report
Winnipeg – More winter weather hit parts of southern Manitoba during the week ended March 15, disrupting some cattle auction activity. However, signs of spring were also starting to be felt across the province. While Manitoba may be getting some better weather, “it doesn’t look like Nebraska is,” said Allan Munroe, of the Killarney Auction […] Read more
Hog farmers want quality assurance premium
Producers meet with processors to discuss how they can be better rewarded for participating in traceability program
Canadian hog producers are on board with quality assurance programs to ensure the safety and value of pork, but before taking steps into a more detailed pig care and traceability program, they want per pig payments to reflect the extra effort that will be involved. A meeting between Canadian pig producer organizations and pig processors […] Read more
Importing pork from Poland, with African swine fever, called ‘reckless’
Canada continues to import pork from Poland, even though the country has had hundreds of cases of African swine fever. For the first 11 months of 2018, Canada imported more than $25 million worth of pork from the European country, based on Agriculture Canada data. Infected meat is the primary vector of African swine fever, […] Read more
Foreign access concerns poultry producers
The sector has presented the federal government with five initiatives to counter the impact of recent trade agreements
RED DEER — Future trade agreements should not give more access to foreign chicken or turkey entering Canada, said the executive director of Chicken Farmers of Canada. “The government must ensure no further access is conceded in future trade agreements,” said Michael Laliberte. More access was granted in the United States-Mexico- Canada Agreement, as well […] Read more
