Weight gain with growth promotant implants is a known issue in the feedlot trade but definitely not a major concern. Implanted cattle must be taken to a higher weight to achieve the same quality grade as an animal without an implant. Put another way, to reach AAA, the final carcass weight of an implanted animal […] Read more
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Weighing the pros & cons
Should hog barns be renovated or rebuilt?
Hog producers urged to put careful thought into how to convert their barns from gestation stalls to open housing
Saving old barns can be cost effective, but it has to be done right, an Ontario hog barn developer and converter told Manitoba hog producers Sept. 13. “Listen to your gut,” Murray Elliott told the Prairie Swine Centre’s Open Housing Seminar in Winnipeg. “Most (contemporary conversions to open housing) are a combination of new and […] Read moreTax worries
To the Editor: Re: Tax proposals about fairness: minister (Page 11, Sept. 21). If there was ever an article that dumbs down an issue and treats those affected by it as stupid, this is it. It’s equivalent to patting a six-year-old on the head saying, “don’t worry, it will be all right.” Well Mr. Editor, […] Read more
U.S. company has big plans for organic supply chain
A new organic grain company that acquired two wooden crib grain elevators in southern Saskatchewan says more investments will be announced soon. Pipeline Foods Inc., based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, recently bought elevators at Wapella and Gull Lake. The elevators, both located along the Trans-Canada Highway, have been buying organic and non-genetically modified crops since early […] Read more
Changes proposed to transportation legislation
Canadian agricultural organizations have proposed amendments to the federal transportation modernization act even as they urge swift passage and royal assent. The amendments, developed through the Crop Logistics Working Group, were presented to the House standing committee on transportation earlier this month. The committee reconvened a week before Parliament’s regular sitting to hold hearings on […] Read more
Why Angus is synonymous with quality beef
The power of branding has people thinking Angus when they think beef, said Brian Good of the Canadian Angus Association. “Just the name Angus alone is synonymous with beef,” said the director of field services. But Fred Taylor phrases it in a different way. “A dog is a dog but some are smarter than others,” […] Read more
There’s lots of ag in Ottawa right now
The federal government manages to stay busy with a wide variety of things that affect agriculture, and at The Western Producer we keep our ears to the ground on your behalf. This month alone there are very serious discussions with Mexico and the United States about the future of NAFTA, and that goes well beyond […] Read more
Ample supply of quality malt barley likely: grower
The quality of this year’s malting barley crop will be above average in most parts of Western Canada, according to industry sources, thanks largely to favourable harvest conditions during the first half of September. “There’s definitely going to be some shiny barley around this year,” said Brent Johnson, a barley grower and Sask Barley board […] Read more
U.S. silence puts NAFTA negotiations in tough spot
As NAFTA renegotiation talks near the midway point, the United States has yet to table formal proposals on several key agriculture issues — missing details that are raising questions about whether negotiators will be able to wrap up talks by the end of the year. Canadian, American and Mexican trade officials are in the process […] Read more
NAFTA talks proceed in tense atmosphere
Depending on whom you listen to, talks to renew the North American Free Trade Agreement are moving at “warp speed” or are “dragging.” Negotiators from the United States and Mexico came north this week to talk with their Canadian counterparts. The talks are going on in a atmosphere of heightened anxiety as American President Donald […] Read more
