Canadian inspectors sent to Mexico MEXICO CITY, Mexico (Reuters) – Canada has agreed to send a team of meat inspectors to five Mexican meat packing plants in June, which could allow Mexico to begin exporting beef to Canada. Canada will also join talks between Mexico and the United States aimed at formulating rules that would […] Read more
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Feed pellets can offer advantages
Pellets are a better feed for pigs than straight mash from a mixer, researchers generally agree. However, producers paying for expensive pellets may not be getting the gains they expect, an American expert told the recent Manitoba Swine Seminar. “You really need to focus on pellet quality,” Kansas State University animal nutrition specialist Joe Hancock […] Read more
U.S. grows too many table potatoes
Idaho farmers grew a fantastic crop of potatoes last year, producing 131 million hundredweight, up 12 percent from the 116 million cwt. grown in 2008. However, the massive crop has provoked a controversy among North American potato growers because fresh potato prices have plummeted in the United States in the last year. “In general, they […] Read more
Gluten-free demand opens new markets
The expanding North American market for gluten-free food is presenting new opportunities for farmers and food processors, said a Regina author and nutritionist. Shelley Case, speaking at the Prairie Grain Development Committee meetings in Saskatoon last week, said Canada has a lucrative but largely untapped market at its fingertips. With proper research and investment by […] Read more
Sask. DDG maker eyes Asia
MOOSE JAW, Sask. – Asian livestock could soon be getting their meals from Saskatchewan. Terra Grain Fuels of Belle Plaine is looking at shipping dried distillers grain to offshore customers. Dale Williamson, manager of supply and logistics for the company, told farmers at a market outlook conference hosted by the Canadian Wheat Board that the […] Read more
Expert says differences too deep for WTO deal
Just weeks before World Trade Organization senior officials conduct what they call a “stock taking” to assess if a deal is possible, the view from Canada is pessimistic. Well-connected Ottawa trade specialist Peter Clark recently concluded that the Doha Round of negotiations, started in 2001, is in danger of collapse. “The longer it takes, the […] Read more
Meat regulation debate trips up CFA
Federal and provincial governments have failed for decades to reform the quagmire of regulations that govern interprovincial movement of meat and carcasses. Meat leaving a province for domestic or export sale must come from a federally regulated packing plant. Product from provincial plants can be sold only in the province. For years, provincially regulated plants […] Read more
Soft wheat producers miss industry target
LETHBRIDGE – Soft wheat growers in southern Alberta fell below forecasts set by their own commodity organization. Richard Huvenaars, chair of the research and production committee for the Alberta Soft Wheat Producers Commission, said low prices cut back on seeded acreage, yields were down, and fusarium and mildew caused crop downgrading. He told delegates to […] Read more
Saskatchewan sees big special crops harvest
Saskatchewan’s special crop producers enjoyed their most bountiful harvest last year, growing a record 4.5 million tonnes. The harvest, roughly 300,000 tonnes larger than the previous year, marks only the second time that annual special crop production has surpassed four million tonnes. Special crop growers also increased total acreage last year, increasing it by five […] Read more
American hog producers see rainbow on horizon
RIDGETOWN, Ont. – American hog producers have become increasingly optimistic about prices in recent weeks, but production issues remain a worry. Minnesota veterinarian Mike Brumm told Ontario producers at a recent meeting in Ridgetown that hog farmers in his area have been paying as much as $52 for weanlings and $72 for 40 pound feeder […] Read more
