Hand sanitizer for $39 a bottle? 3M masks for $120? And $25 for Lysol spray? Those prices for items in demand during the pandemic are deemed exorbitant by the Alberta government, which has laid charges against a Calgary company that was asking those prices. The unnamed business was charged with ignoring an order to stop […] Read more
Tag Archives COVID-19 virus
Alta. commits to helping livestock producers through BRMs
The Alberta government will provide livestock producers with additional funds through business risk management programs, helping them stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. The province announced today it will assist fed-cattle producers through AgriRecovery, as well as increase assistance to hog and potato producers through AgriStability. Alberta’s initiative follows the federal government’s funding announcement of […] Read more
Canadian oilseed processors not out of the woods yet
Canada’s oilseed processing industry has navigated reasonably well through the economic storm waters caused by COVID-19. But several unknowns are on the horizon, says Chris Vervaet, executive director of the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association (COPA). Steady demand in vegetable oil and canola meal markets could give way to market uncertainty in the weeks ahead as […] Read more
Slaughter problems threaten beef supply
Production at Canada’s beef packing plants is expected to be down at least five percent in the second quarter of this year
Concerns about beef availability in the marketplace continue to sizzle like steak on a barbecue. As slaughter plants in Canada and the United States reduce line speeds, shifts or effect temporary closures to deal with COVID-19 concerns, analysts say supplies are likely to be affected. Market analyst Kevin Grier said Canadian slaughter is likely to […] Read more
Ethanol woes pile up for U.S. corn producers
The 2020-21 U.S. corn supply-demand balance sheet could see carryout blossom as high as 193 million tones
The ethanol sector is going to be hurting for a while and that means depressed grain prices, say experts. Brian Healy, director of global ethanol market development with the United States Grains Council, estimates world production of the fuel will be down 20 percent in 2020 and likely won’t fully recover until 2022. The steep […] Read more
Prairie farmers find way to deliver local food
Many say that consumers are looking for ways to avoid the grocery store and buy more local food during the pandemic
Small farmers in Alberta have partnered with a company to deliver local products to consumers, addressing concerns of needing food during the COVID-19 pandemic. The specialty boxes, created in partnership with farmers, the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies and The Organic Box, have offered producers a way to sell more of their products. As well, […] Read more
Mushroom farmers face steep COVID-19 losses
Farmers urge Ottawa to establish emergency fund to help them weather the restaurant closures forced by the pandemic
Canadian mushroom farmers say the COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for many operations, with losses totalling $6.5 million. In a letter addressing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and federal ministers last week, Mushrooms Canada wrote that the industry will face losses of an additional $400,000 for every week the economy remains stagnant. It said mushroom farms […] Read more
UN body calls pandemic a threat to global food supply
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations said COVID-19 threatens global food security that must be alleviated by ensuring supply chains are not disrupted. Agriculture ministers from G20 countries held a joint meeting, where FAO director-general Qu Dongyu said preserving access to safe food and nutrition is an essential health response to the […] Read more
Foodgrains bank projects less festive this year
Farmers organize growing projects for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank this spring despite the need for social distancing
COALDALE, Alta. — The seeding of a growing project for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank usually doubles as a time to celebrate the new growing season and visit with the neighbours. This year, in Ed Donkersgoed’s field east of Coaldale, Alta., four people gathered and stood a few metres apart to watch the quarter section of […] Read more
Manitoba potato growers reach breaking point
Producers in the province were unable to harvest 22 percent of their process potatoes last fall because of bad weather
Some potato growers in Manitoba have reached a breaking point and not just because of COVID-19. Manitoba’s potato industry has been suffering for more than 18 months. There was a difficult harvest in 2018, a much worse harvest in 2019, potatoes rotting in storage this winter and production cuts this spring. The personal stress has […] Read more
