United Nations’ food price index, which measures monthly increases for a basket of common items, hits 6 1/2 year high
ROME, Italy (Reuters) — Global food prices rose for an eighth consecutive month in January to their highest since July 2014, the United Nations food agency said, as economies continue to battle fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Food and Agriculture Organization’s food price index, which measures monthly changes for a basket of cereals, oilseeds, […] Read moreTag Archives COVID-19 virus
COVID-19 outbreak forces Alta. hog plant to close
The Olymel hog processing plant in Red Deer has temporarily closed after more than 300 cases of COVID-19 have been connected with workers at the plant. In a statement issued Feb. 15, Olymel said the surge of cases among plant employees makes normal operations impossible to conduct in a safe and efficient manner. Management informed […] Read more
Foreign workers to lose travel exemptions in March
For now, temporary foreign workers travelling to Canada won’t need to quarantine in a government supervised hotel when they get here, but by mid-March, Ottawa will put more stringent measures in place. Starting Feb. 22, non-essential travellers and essential workers arriving in Canada will be tested upon their arrival. Non-essential travellers are required to stay […] Read more
U.S. beef demand stands up during pandemic
Increased grocery store sales that resulted as consumers began cooking more at home offset decline in restaurant trade
The wild rodeo of beef demand in 2020 appears to be over, at least in the United States. While many table-service restaurants have closed or offer limited service due to pandemic restrictions, the total impact on beef demand has been minor because supermarkets increased their sales based on consumers’ need to buy food and cook […] Read more
Covid found at beef, hog plants in Alberta
Cases at Olymel pork facility in Red Deer include one death while Cargill beef workers in High River are also infected
Alberta meat processing plants are again the sites of outbreaks of COVID-19 among workers. Alberta Health has reported that 156 cases are linked to the Olymel pork processing plant in Red Deer as of Feb. 5, with 79 of them active, and one man in his 30s died from the virus on Jan. 28. The […] Read more
Ottawa needs to better communicate foreign worker strategy
Ottawa did right to ensure temporary foreign workers will be able to arrive in Canada despite stricter travel restrictions, but it needs to do a better job to make sure all provinces are on board. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Jan. 29 that flights to and from sunny destinations are suspended, but federal officials […] Read more
Producers still have concerns about seasonal worker arrivals
Federal officials say it is too early to know if Canada will have an enough seasonal agricultural workers arriving this year. Producers continue to raise concerns over recently announced travel restrictions, despite assurances from Ottawa the changes won’t affect the flow of international labour needed on farms and in processing facilities. During a Feb. 3 […] Read more
CFA calls for continued support in next federal budget
Federal budget consultations are underway, with agricultural groups lobbying the government to support the industry in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Jan. 25, deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland launched pre-budget consultations with stakeholders. “We want to hear ideas from Canadians, from all walks of life, on how to restore strong […] Read more
American meat plants pay employees to vaccinate
CHICAGO (Reuters) — Meat packer JBS USA and chicken company Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. will pay $100 to U.S. employees who voluntarily receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The bonus is intended to encourage employees to get inoculations, after thousands of U.S. meat-packing workers became infected with the coronavirus last year. The companies said internal surveys showed 60 […] Read more
COVID-prompted changes proved beneficial: beef sector
The challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic actually led to changes that industry leaders say will be good in the long run. Improvements at packing plants and changes in how the sector communicates with consumers are here to stay, they said during the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference. Tyler Bjornson, who handles government relations at JBS Brooks, […] Read more
