The North American hog industry has gone quiet on the ASF front, but that isn’t because the risk of infection from offshore is any less severe. As Dr. Anna Forseth, director of animal health with the National Pork Producers Council, tells us in this video, after years of preparation for an ASF outbreak, producers and […] Read more
News
Bank of Canada interest rate cut to give some borrowers relief
Glacier FarmMedia – Businesses and consumers carrying debt under a variable rate should see some relief with the Bank of Canada’s decision to cut its policy rate today said Farm Credit Canada’s chief economist. “Otherwise I don’t expect the decision today to have major implications for interest rates in financial markets,” said J.P. Gervais in […] Read more
Issues loom over hog farmers as they gather in Des Moines
North America’s hog industry is grappling with multiple issues these days, but is presently feeling better than some of the other livestock industries. That doesn’t mean that everything’s great, but not yet having to deal with avian flu infections is keeping hog farmers in a cautiously optimistic mood about their challenges. More World Pork Expo […] Read more
VIDEO: GPS-enabled light strengthens biosecurity
DES MOINES, Iowa — If you look at them, nothing seems new with these red rear lights for hog trailers. Hidden inside is a big difference. This light being launched here at the World Pork Expo today by Farm Health Guardian is a GPS unit that fires off data about the location and actions of […] Read more
Farm groups sound off on budget concerns
Ten national organizations say change to the capital gains inclusion rate and other proposed moves will impact farmers
Glacier FarmMedia – REGINA — Canadian national farm organizations have united against proposed budget measures that they say will negatively affect farmers. Planned changes to the capital gains inclusion rate also drew specific concern and attention from the House of Commons’ agriculture committee. Related stories: In a May 27 letter to finance minister Chrystia Freeland, […] Read more
VIDEO: World Pork Expo underway
Western Producer reporter Ed White is in Iowa this week attending the World Pork Expo at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Nearly 400 exhibitors from the U.S. and around the world will be on site, and more than 10,000 pork producers and ag professionals will be in attendance. Follow this page for daily […] Read more
Feds fund research into canola alternatives
The Diverse Field Crops Cluster supports research into camelina, flax, carinata, mustard and sunflower production
WINNIPEG — The federal government is investing $8.1 million to develop and improve oilseed crops that are alternatives to canola. In late May, the feds announced funding for the Diverse Field Crops Cluster, which supports research into camelina, flax, carinata, mustard and sunflowers. Related stories: Commodity groups on the Prairies and companies developing those crops […] Read more
Prairie wetland loss estimates raise questions
Wetland retention is likely much lower than the figure advertised by the Water Security Agency, say scientists
REGINA — Scientists say the Water Security Agency’s claim that 86 per cent of Saskatchewan’s wetlands remain is based on recent rather than historical data. “My understanding is that they were using baseline years around 2006,” said Colin Whitfield, associate professor at the School of Environment and Sustainability and Global Institute for Water Security at […] Read more
Packers slam changes to foreign worker program
Sector demands Ottawa stop restricting temporary foreign workers to only 20 per cent of a meat processor’s workforce
WINNIPEG — Meat packing plants in Canada have struggled for decades to recruit and retain workers. Until recently, 30 per cent of their workforce could be temporary foreign workers, which helped alleviate the shortage of labour. Related stories: However, the federal government changed the rules of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program this spring, capping the […] Read more
Flax misses biofuel party
SASKATOON — It seems like every oilseed crop is vying to be a biofuel feedstock, with one notable exception. “Flax is kind of the odd man out,” said Dale Leftwich, policy manager for the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission. He doesn’t know why that is the case. “I’m not sure what all of the reasons would […] Read more
