Details matter when making decisions on the farm, but critical details are missing from the federal government’s inventory of Canadian farmers’ AgriInvest deposits. They’re either missing or the government doesn’t want to release that information for some reason. Either way, the details matter when governments try to justify lack of additional financial assistance for producers. […] Read more
Tag Archives COVID-19 virus — page 2
Ag committee hears mushroom farmers’ concerns
Members of Parliament sitting on the committee dealing with agricultural issues continue to hear concerns over the federal government’s response to COVID-19. During a May 27 meeting, members of the Canadian Mushrooms Grower’s Association raised “grave concerns” over the support they have received. Chief executive officer Ryan Koeslag said additional measures put in place by […] Read more
Two national campaigns launched for food supply chains
The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity is launching a new campaign to inform consumers on how the food system works. “It’s Good, Canada” will share personal stories of Canadians working across the food supply chain and provide information about farming, transportation, processing, retail and production on its website, www.itsgoodcanada.ca. “It’s natural for Canadians to have […] Read more
Alta. to set up bid system for backlogged cattle
The Alberta government will launch a bid system to identify which cattle should be processed, helping address massive bottlenecks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are no timelines yet on when the system will be in place, but it’s part of the government’s staged approach in helping producers weather impacts caused by the crisis, said […] Read more
E-commerce changes retail picture; brings opportunities
Unexpected markets could open up for farmers if buying groceries online becomes the new normal for more consumers
Canada is now in week nine of the COVID-19 crisis, although it may seem as though that span has been longer — much longer. In that time, grocery shopping has become a chore to be avoided, eating at home has become the norm and the entire social contract between the food industry and consumers is […] Read more
Wheat exports hit the roof
Canada set a new weekly wheat export record in week 40 of the 2019-20 campaign, according to the Canadian Grain Commission. Terminal elevators shipped 926,000 tonnes of wheat and durum, shattering the previous record of 691,000 tonnes set the same week the previous crop year. “We had the demand in place, we had the mechanism […] Read more
Pandemic not affecting all cattle sectors equally
The beef industry has been walloped by COVID-19, but that whupping has left some parts of the system bruised and wailing while other parts are OK for now. Who’s hurt and who’s fine could change dramatically, depending upon how long the crisis continues, say some analysts looking at the impact of the crisis. “If markets […] Read more
Food system a disaster or a success? The jury is still out
We don’t think well or wisely after suffering a shock. We haven’t even gotten past the shock of COVID-19 to be able to develop thoughts much beyond surviving. That’s why it’s so hard to tell if our farm and food system has proven itself to be an utter disaster or a screaming success. We’re too […] Read more
Major overhaul not needed for supply chain: observers
There have been widespread predictions that North America’s food supply chain will be radically reformed after COVID-19 passes. Reasons for why the food supply chain should, in some people’s eyes, be restructured include: Shortages of flour, dairy and meat products. Shutdowns and slowdowns at meat packing plants. Worries about cross border agriculture trade and food […] Read more
Beef processors pick up the pace
The JBS plant in Brooks Alta., adds a second shift and adopts more than 100 preventive measures to boost worker safety
The JBS beef packing plant in Brooks, Alta., returned to operating a second shift May 21, a month after reducing activity to one shift April 22. An outbreak of COVID-19 among employees reduced the workforce and many were not coming to work for fear of contracting the virus. The Cargill beef processing plant in High […] Read more
