Entering Canada as unregulated spent fowl Improperly labelled chicken from United States could be finding its way onto store shelves
HALIFAX, N.S. — Agriculture minister Gerry Ritz has promised to organize a cross-government response to growing evidence that chicken from the United States is fraudulently entering Canada labelled as unregulated spent fowl. There is also evidence that meat from spent fowl that should be used in processed food is finding its way onto store shelves […] Read moreNews
Ritz vows investigation into illegal chicken imports
Land prices among many hurdles new farmers face
HALIFAX — One after another, farm leaders, government officials and industry players told Canadian agriculture ministers last week about the barriers that new entrants to agriculture face. After the meeting, federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz said the problem of barriers to new entrants is not new and can’t be solved with simple solutions or program […] Read more
Blacksmith fired up by satisfied customers
Shoes that fit | Seeing a horse walk comfortably in its new shoes is gratifying, says blacksmith
CALGARY — When Riley Swanby was a child, she used to watch her father, Erik, work as a farrier, forging horseshoes and fitting them to the animals they protect. As an avid rider and horse lover, Swanby spent a lot of time around the farm near Crossfield, Alta., and as she grew up, her father’s […] Read moreEvents centre set for spring
CALGARY — Visitors to this year’s Calgary Stampede will have noticed the half finished shell of the new Agrium Western Events Centre looming over the grounds. Signs posted along the construction fences spelled out the plans for the building as a centre for year-round agricultural activity in the city. Robert Wise, the Stampede’s western competitions […] Read more
SaskPower continues to allow hanging targets if preapproved
Unique situation | Battleford target removed due to objections, pole damage
SaskPower will no longer allow a firearm target to remain attached to one of its power poles near Battleford, Sask., following an ongoing dispute between two neighbours. However, the Saskatchewan crown corporation will continue to allow the practice of hanging targets on power poles if approved beforehand on a case-by-case basis. Tyler Hopson, media relations […] Read moreEvents for 2013-07-25 00:00:00
New hall of fame Inductees The 2013 inductees into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame are Lowell Lindsay, John Oliver, the late John Wise and Donald Ziraldo. Lindsay of Guelph, Ont., has been a sire analyst, cattle judge and genetics promoter. Oliver of Oshawa, Ont., has been an advocate of Canadian agriculture during his career […] Read more
Ag ministers leery of EU deal
HALIFAX, N.S. — Provincial agriculture ministers remain uneasy about the outcome of a Canada-European Union trade deal, despite federal assurances that supply management protections will be preserved, says Nova Scotia’s John MacDonell. As co-chair of last week’s federal-provincial ministers’ meeting, he was asked what assurances provincial ministers received from federal minister Gerry Ritz. “The minister’s […] Read more
Booming ag sector spurs FCC profits
$7.7 billion in loans in 2012-13 | Loans worth $2.3 billion given to producers younger than 40
Farm Credit Canada has reported its second largest profit in history: $514 million for the year ended March 31. Only the $565 million recorded the previous year surpassed last year’s results. The board of directors could decide to send as much as $51 million to the federal government as a 10 percent dividend. The remainder […] Read moreOnt. ag minister confident supply management safe
HALIFAX, N.S. — Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne signalled last week that she expects European cheese companies to gain more access to the Canadian market if a Canada-European Union trade deal is signed. While she would prefer no change, she said her government could accept some increase in imports as long as it is small, does […] Read more
Ritz outlines plan for next two years
HALIFAX, N.S. — Federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz is not considering a grand new agricultural policy vision as the Conservative government prepares for the final two years of its mandate. Instead, it will be a continuation of the transformative changes he has overseen during his six years in office, the past two backed by a […] Read more
