Livestock Management
SASKATOON – The new president of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association says the organization’s main priority is to deal with the disparity caused by Alberta’s industry assistance. Ed Bothner of Beechy said Saskatchewan producers must have something to keep them competitive. The Alberta government is providing $356 million to that province’s industry, most of which […] Read more
Livestock Management
Cattle leader ponders disparity
Unified cattle group approved
SASKATOON – Change was coming even if Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association members hadn’t voted in favour of a new provincial cattle organization. An emotionally charged debate at the SSGA annual meeting June 17 ended in a 71-52 vote to support the proposed Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association. The SCA intends to become a development commission under provincial […] Read more
Specialist looks for better way to count sheep
WETASKIWIN, Alta. – Adopting a farm traceability program for sheep isn’t as easy as walking into the local farm supply store and buying a kit with instructions. Producers may be able to buy radio frequency identification (RFID) ear tags or a wand to read them, but there is no system complete with software and easy […] Read more
Cattle quarantine changes sought
100 MILE HOUSE, B.C. – British Columbia cattle producers want communicable livestock diseases handled differently after living through a lengthy quarantine this year prompted by the discovery of tuberculosis on a Vanderhoof ranch. A resolution from the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association has referred for study a list of recommendations on how the Canadian Food Inspection Agency […] Read more
Groups outline strategy to revitalize beef sector
100 MILE HOUSE, B.C. – Bruised and battered five years after its first BSE case, the Canadian beef industry still struggles to regain its once lofty position as a major exporter. Canada has returned as the third largest beef exporter in the world but key markets like Japan and the United States remain restricted and […] Read more
Beef given new brand
100 MILE HOUSE, B.C. – Starting next year Canadian beef and genetic packages will be branded with a new logo. The Canadian Beef Advantage campaign is being tested in the market as part of a larger strategy to reposition the industry, said John Gillespie, the new chair of the Beef Information Centre. Recovery of the […] Read more
Sask. producers want gov’t to follow Alta. lead
Saskatchewan’s agriculture minister says he needs more information before he can consider providing more money to livestock producers. Bob Bjornerud said he would meet with cattle producers this week to discuss the state of their industry and Alberta’s June 5 announcement of $300 million to help its producers. The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan has […] Read more
Alta. strategy upsets B.C.
100 MILE HOUSE, B.C. – Beef producers outside of Alberta understand why the province put up millions of dollars in direct livestock support and market development, but that does not mean they like it. “The fact that they are putting $300 million into the industry that the rest of us have to compete against is […] Read more
Producers worry about control
EDMONTON – Alberta livestock producers are concerned the provincial government’s new $56 million meat and livestock agency will have too much control over the industry. “We are not comfortable as an organization that is democratically elected, to have this meat agency superimposed on us and their appointment at the whim of the minister,” producer Gordon […] Read more
Emergencies need more than plan
FARGO, N.D. – Emergency preparedness has moved beyond a document labelled Bird Flu Outbreak Plan sitting on an office shelf, says a Manitoba government official. The new model for livestock emergency management is all about relationship building, co-operation and collaboration. “There’s some folks that think once you’ve got it (a plan) on paper, you’re done, […] Read more
