Breweries launch home delivery services while the industry raises money to help those struggling with a milkshake beer
Saskatchewan’s craft brewing industry is looking for creative ways to minimize the impacts of COVID-19. But with the abrupt closure of taprooms last month and craft beer sales through restaurants suspended indefinitely, some beer makers face an uncertain future, according to the Saskatchewan Craft Brewers Association. “Some breweries are still able to sell beer in […] Read moreTag Archives COVID-19 virus
Pandemic threatens to complicate wildfire season
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency is warning farmers and landowners to be careful to prevent wildfires and grassfires this spring. Acting vice-president Steve Roberts said this spring isn’t necessarily drier than any other, but COVID-19 presents additional challenges for residents of the agricultural zone. “What we’d like to ensure is that our first responders are […] Read more
Masks, masks and more masks
How big is a germ? How tight does my mask have to fit to repel germs? We looked at these questions and more.
According to an Agri-Facts factsheet published by Alberta Agriculture (Agdex 086-8), the two main classes of respirators are air-purifying respirators and atmosphere-supplying respirators. Air-purifying respirators (APRs) are the most common. They depend on the users breathing to draw air in through the filter. They remove contaminants from the air with cartridges or canisters before the […] Read more
Machinery dealerships socially distancing
Farm equipment company keeps its doors open, but finds ways to do it safely while meeting farmers’ demands for service
“When this all started, we were full. Shops were full. Pre-seeding spring work was booked up. And combines were getting ready to go again. We knew we had to keep farmers rolling and that would need a plan,” said Jim Wood, speaking to what Rocky Mountain Equipment did with their 36 farm equipment dealerships in […] Read more
Organic markets unaffected by COVID
Organic grain premiums are holding up so far in the COVID-19 world, according to Mercaris. The data service and trading platform for organic grains is an American company that focuses on corn, soybeans and wheat in both food and feed markets but has recently expanded into oats, barley, rye and pulses. Sales director Alex Heilman […] Read more
Ranchers welcome Cargill reopening
Union continues to fight beef plant’s May 4 reopening in High River, Alta., after it closed due to COVID-19 outbreak
The Cargill beef processing plant in High River, Alta., reopened May 4 with two shifts after a two-week shutdown that occurred when hundreds of its workers tested positive for COVID-19. Employees began arriving early in the morning while efforts by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union to address workers’ safety concerns continued. UFCW local […] Read more
U.S. bison producers request financial help
More consumers are buying ground meat, but it is worth less than steaks that had been previously ordered in restaurants
The U.S. bison industry is asking for help. A considerable amount of bison meat is consumed at restaurants but sitting down for a bison steak or bison brisket is not an option now because of restaurant closures caused by COVID-19. As a result, bison producers are worried about sales and their finances. “Restaurants and other […] Read more
CP lowers outlook for 2020
Despite showing strong revenues in the first financial quarter, Canadian Pacific Railway has lowered its outlook for 2020 as it faces fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The company reported last month that its first quarter revenues were $2.04 billion, a 16 percent increase from $1.77 billion last year. Even though CP said the figure breaks […] Read more
Sask. cattle group push direct beef sales
The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association is beefing up direct sales of beef. Given disruptions to cattle processing due to COVID-19 outbreaks among workers at packing plants, the association said it wants to facilitate beef sales straight off the farm as a way to help ranchers and make product available to consumers. It is assembling a […] Read more
Alta. NDP requests more livestock support
The Alberta NDP is urging the United Conservative Party government to provide financial support to livestock producers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Official opposition house leader Heather Sweet said today she wants the province to commit to providing additional funds through AgriRecovery. The federal government is offering $125 million in new money in a set-aside […] Read more
