Chicago | Reuters — With the pandemic hobbling the meat-packing industry, Iowa farmer Al Van Beek had nowhere to ship his full-grown pigs to make room for the 7,500 piglets he expected from his breeding operation. The crisis forced a decision that still troubles him: He ordered his employees to give injections to the pregnant […] Read more
Piglets aborted, chickens gassed as pandemic slams meat sector
"We have to have less hogs somehow"
Saskatchewan to bump up AgriStability interim payouts
Allowable percentage of final benefit raised
Saskatchewan farmers hoping to boost cash flow with an AgriStability interim payment can now apply to get up to three-quarters of their final payment for 2020. The Saskatchewan and federal governments announced an agreement Friday to increase the 2020 AgriStability interim benefit payment percentage to 75 per cent for producers in that province, up from […] Read more
Farm groups offer finance committee food security for thought
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) continues to pressure the federal government to offer more support for farmers as it looks to mitigate impacts of COVID-19. One of few parliamentary functions continuing to operate in the pandemic, the Commons standing committee on finance is responsible for studying and reporting on matters related to government spending. […] Read more
Calgary Stampede cancelled for 2020
Province's limits on gatherings cover all major summer events
Alberta’s confirmation that its restrictions on gatherings include all annual summer events has led organizers of the Calgary Stampede to cancel the event for the first time in 97 years. “As a community celebration, the cancellation of our annual event comes with our community and public health and safety front of mind,” Stampede president Dana […] Read more
Canada sees no beef shortage, but prices may rise due to coronavirus
JBS plant at Brooks dials back to one shift
Ottawa/Winnipeg | Reuters –– The Canadian government is not expecting a beef shortage despite the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in certain meat-packing plants, though prices may rise, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday. Trudeau added that beef producers are placing a priority on supplying the Canadian market before exporting products. Canada, one of […] Read more
SPCA helping Alberta’s rural residents feed their animals
‘Help for Animals’ is aimed at providing food for horses, livestock and pets so owners can keep them on their property
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta’s SPCA has launched a campaign to help animal owners who may be running low on feed because of the pandemic. “The program is designed to help people keep their animals on their property,” said Dan Kobe, communications manager for the Alberta Society for Protection of Cruelty to Animals. “We don’t expect we’ll hear from […] Read more
CFIA funded to build up inspection corps against COVID-19
Short spells of disruptions still to be expected at food plants
Ottawa — The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is spending $20 million to hire, train and equip additional staff members to limit disruptions resulting from COVID-19. With meat packers and food processing plants considering extended hours as they adjust to taking extra measures to combat the pandemic, CFIA was in need of a response to […] Read more
Our animals give us such a precious gift
We have something very special when we share our lives with companion and food animals
Reading Time: 3 minutes I was visiting with a friend who has had a rough life. His mother and dad worked hard to provide, but they did not know how to love each other or their children. Babies were not rocked or held, and little ones were on their own. There was never a goodnight kiss, a story, a […] Read more
Three livestock care champions receive awards
Reading Time: < 1 minute Three champions of farm animal care in Alberta were recognized with Awards of Distinction at the recent Livestock Care Conference. The awards, given by Alberta Farm Animal Care, recognize individuals or groups who have made exceptional contributions in the field of livestock welfare. The recipients were Barbara Duckworth (communications), Rich Vesta (industry leadership), and Gateway […] Read more
China reclassifies dogs as pets, not livestock
New guidelines drafted in post-virus regulatory push
Shanghai | Reuters — China has drawn up new guidelines to reclassify dogs as pets rather than livestock, the agriculture ministry said, part of a response to the coronavirus outbreak that the Humane Society called a potential “game changer” in animal welfare. Though dog meat remains a delicacy in many regions, the ministry of agriculture […] Read more
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