Rodeo contractors have been without income for six months and there’s little hope of further activity until spring 2021 or longer, depending on how the pandemic plays out.
 | File photo

Rodeo stock contractors in trouble

Rodeo — it’s sport, it’s entertainment, it’s western culture, agriculture, heritage and recreation. That span of categories is likely the reason rodeo stock contractors don’t qualify for existing funds and programs designed to ease businesses through the economic throes of COVID-19. Many are facing severe financial hardship. Pandemic restrictions coincided with what would have been […] Read more

No cases of the illness have been reported in connection with food or food packaging, the CFIA said in a Sept. 14 news release. | File photo

Food unlikely to spread COVID: CFIA

Food is not a likely source or route of transmission for COVID-19, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says. No cases of the illness have been reported in connection with food or food packaging, it said in a Sept. 14 news release. As well, the agency confirmed that domestic poultry and pigs do not pose a […] Read more

The Agribition Evolution Series includes 11 breed shows that will culminate in a supreme championship during the week that the show would have welcomed livestock and visitors, said chief executive officer Chris Lane.
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Agribition sets up online show ring

Entries open Sept. 22 for Canadian Western Agribition’s virtual purebred beef show. The Agribition Evolution Series includes 11 breed shows that will culminate in a supreme championship during the week that the show would have welcomed livestock and visitors, said chief executive officer Chris Lane. “We started on this after it was clear we wouldn’t […] Read more


No cases of the illness have been reported in connection with food or food packaging, the CFIA said in a Sept. 14 news release. | File photo

Food unlikely to spread COVID: CFIA

Food is not a likely source or route of transmission for COVID-19, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says. No cases of the illness have been reported in connection with food or food packaging, it said in a Sept. 14 news release. As well, the agency confirmed that domestic poultry and pigs do not pose a […] Read more

A new report from the World Trade Organization suggests agricultural trade has performed better than other sectors throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. | File photo

WTO says COVID benefits ag trade but not farmers

A new report from the World Trade Organization suggests agricultural trade has performed better than other sectors throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but contends producers are feeling the pressure of lower food prices. “While overall merchandise trade fell sharply in the first half of 2020, agricultural and food exports increased by 2.5 percent during the first […] Read more


Brian Perillat of Canfax says most cattle are being marketed “in a fairly timely manner” and although 100,000 head in backlog is a big number, “we’re going to manage through it.”  |  Barb Glen photo

Plants whittle down COVID backlog

Slaughter levels have been above year-ago levels for the past two months, with daily kills now close to pre-COVID levels

The backlog of slaughter ready cattle is slowly working its way through the system, according to market data. Canfax senior analyst Brian Perillat told participants of the recent Canadian Beef Industry Conference that slaughter levels have been above year-ago levels for the past two months, with daily kills now close to pre-COVID levels. “We have […] Read more

As regional populations grow and customers need a place to buy groceries, e-commerce comes in handy.  |  Getty Images

Food sector recalibrates as Canadians flee larger cities

Canadians seem to want to flee urban centres. The food industry will need to keep a close eye on the trend. As well, real estate markets are overheating in regions outside of major cities. Recent real estate reports suggest sales are up 20 percent in many rural markets and prices have increased by at least […] Read more

There are about 100 active cases of COVID-19 in Brandon, including 61 employees at the Maple Leaf hog processing plant in the city. Maple Leaf can continue to operate, despite the new designation for the Brandon area, mostly because the packing plant is not the source of transmission. | File photo

Man. tightens COVID restrictions in Brandon

The Manitoba government is taking steps to control the COVID-19 outbreak in Brandon. The province has increased the risk level in the Prairie Mountain Health Region, which includes the city of Brandon. The risk is now designated as orange, or restricted, the second highest response level in Manitoba With the “restricted” designation, public gatherings will […] Read more


Canadian food supply chains held firm during most of the pandemic, with only a few temporary shortages. Those in the industry say that could be a wake up call for consumers to appreciate food sources to a greater degree.  |  Getty Images

Virus led to food challenges

McDonald’s Canada was among the food services deemed essential during the COVID-19 crisis and unlike some sectors, it was able to source the supplies it needed, including beef. Francesca DeBiase, McDonald’s vice-president and chief supply chain officer, said the company’s contingency plan and relationships with suppliers got it through the early volatile days of the […] Read more

There are more than 370 of these communities in Western Canada with about 20 reporting the presence of the virus.
 | Flickr.com/Roger W photo

It’s time to support our own

Discrimination based on being an identifiable other should be an obvious problem in our society, especially for places like ours, with relatively tiny populations and huge interdependency for success. Yet, we still manage to do it. What sort of harvest does this bring us? What yields could be worth acting out against our own? If […] Read more