When talking about the future of Canada’s cattle industry, Keith Robertson holds to the adage that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. The industry suffered heavily this year due to BSE and the closure of the United States border. However, Robertson, executive director of the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association, believes the experience has shown […] Read more
News
Solid foundation bodes well for cattle industry
Little guy feels ignored – WP Special Report (story 4)
Despite the lip service governments pay to value-added agriculture, there is little support for small, on-farm grain processors, say farmers and academics. “We haven’t tapped into any government programs either financial or anything else,” said Tony Marshall, a producer-turned entrepreneur from Aldersyde, Alta. While programs, incentives and expertise are available for bigger value-added projects like […] Read more
Animal welfare bill dies in Senate
The latest attempt by the federal government to update 111-year-old cruelty-to-animal legislation ended last week when the Senate refused to bring the legislation to a vote. The bill is dead. With strong support from dissident Liberal senators and against the wishes of the government leader in a Senate dominated by Liberals, the majority voted to […] Read more
Speckle Park cattle seek breed status
LLOYDMINSTER – Speckle Park cattle could become a recognized breed in Canada within the year, says Battlefords, Sask., rancher Ed Smith. Smith, a member of the Canadian Speckle Park Association with his wife Kathy, has been involved with this evolving breed for 25 years. The association has 1,500 head registered and its members participate successfully […] Read more
Controversial WTO text will stay
A controversial agricultural text that emerged undebated and unapproved from the failed World Trade Organization meeting in Mexico in September will be the basis for future negotiations despite the view of some powerful Canadian farm groups that the text is dangerous and should be discarded, federal ministers said last week. The text calls for movement […] Read more
Transition funding by December
It will be a bit later than promised and much later than initially expected, but by early December, Canadian farmers will begin to see their initial share of Ottawa’s $600 million “transition” funding, says a senior Agriculture Canada official. Danny Foster, acting director general of program planning and performance, said in a Nov. 7 interview […] Read more
Producers fear rules will stifle industry
HARTNEY, Man. – Allan Manshreck fears government controls being placed on Manitoba cattle producers could strangle the industry. The cattle feeder from Deloraine, Man., suggested last week that the noose is tightening as the province strengthens its regulations for things like manure management, while at the same time rural municipalities pass bylaws that practically prohibit […] Read more
Senators warn about weather
The federal government will have to change and strengthen its farm support programs to help farmers cope with increased weather risks that will come with climate change, a Senate committee warned last week. After months of public hearings on the impact of climate change, the Senate agriculture committee warned in a report tabled Nov. 6 […] Read more
Organic certifier removed from agrologists’ group
A director of one of the largest organic certification companies in Canada is no longer a member of the professional agrology body in the province where his business is based. The Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists says it has revoked the membership of Wally Hamm, of OCPP-Pro-Cert Canada, for refusing to follow actions set forth by […] Read more
Biennial wormwood returns
MORDEN, Man. – Crop producers in Manitoba are advised to be on the lookout next year for biennial wormwood, a native weed that appears to be making a comeback. The weed was evident from Boissevain in southwestern Manitoba to Winnipeg this year, according to Brian Hunt, a weed control specialist with Manitoba Agriculture He said […] Read more
