Western Canadian feedlots are struggling to acquire American corn, compounding ongoing supply chain problems. Last year’s drought has caused a feed shortage from traditional Canadian suppliers, and while corn is plentiful in the United States, transportation north continues to be pinched by logistics issues caused by the pandemic. “It’s devastating,” said Ryan Kasko, chief executive […] Read more
Tag Archives COVID-19 virus — page 4
Elevators fear vaccine mandate
Grain elevator companies, grain mills and canola crushers have struggled to find and keep employees for years. The lack of available workers could soon get worse if the federal government follows through on its plan to mandate vaccinations at federally regulated workplaces. The list of federally regulated companies includes a large portion of Canada’s grain […] Read more
Union says mandates must be done correctly
Companies in Canada’s grain industry likely have the legal right to mandate vaccinations for their workers, as long as the policy and procedures are done properly, says the leader of the Grain and General Services Union. The federal government has proposed a vaccine mandate for federally regulated workplaces, which would include grain elevators across Canada. […] Read more
Prairie ranches take bull sales online
Pandemic forces producers to learn how to build websites, create Instagram accounts and make videos of their bulls
CAMROSE, Alta.— The annual tradition of buyers gathering at a sale barn, eating beef on a bun, possibly having a drink or two and bidding on a bull has been put on hold for some farms. COVID-19 has changed many things, including the way farms sell animals. Arika Kathol has spent hours building a website […] Read more
U.S. cow herd drops to seven-year low, beef prices set to rise further
CHICAGO, Jan 31 (Reuters) – The United States has the fewest beef cows in seven years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Monday, signaling that high meat prices will continue to rise. Ranchers increasingly sent cows to slaughter last year, rather than keeping them to reproduce, as dry weather reduced the amount of pasture […] Read more
Workers may have to get jab to keep job
Grain elevator companies, grain mills and canola crushers have struggled to find and keep employees for years. The lack of available workers could soon get worse if the federal government follows through on its plan to mandate vaccinations at federally regulated workplaces. The list of federally regulated companies includes a large portion of Canada’s grain […] Read more
Vaccine mandate slams hog sector as truckers avoid border
Hog farmers are scrambling to find trucks to carry their pigs across the border. With the joint Canada-United States vaccine requirement now imposed on cross-border journeys, a sudden shortage in truckers is leaving small shippers like farmers facing delays, cancellations and uncertainty about how to move their animals. “We’re already hearing reports that shipments of […] Read more
Shelve ban on unvaccinated truckers
The federal government is pushing ahead with its plan to require all truckers entering from the United States to show proof of vaccination. The plan creates serious problems. Vaccines are the most effective way to reduce risks associated with COVID-19, stop the spread of the virus and save lives. No doubt. But the situation affecting […] Read more
Rural recovery report focuses on broadband
Federation of Canadian Municipalities says pandemic showed how governments can work together to tackle a problem
Rural concerns that include improving access to broadband internet are emphasized in a report detailing how Canada can best promote its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis has shown how the federal and municipal levels of government can work together to protect people, communities and commerce, said the Partners for Canada’s Recovery report by […] Read more
Truckers fighting government vaccine mandate march to Ottawa
TORONTO, Jan 23 (Reuters) – A convoy of truckers started their march from Vancouver on Sunday to Ottawa protesting the government’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for truckers, which the industry says would create driver shortages and fuel inflation. Truckers under the banner Freedom Convoy 2022 had raised $2.7 million by Sunday through a gofundme campaign to […] Read more
