Ontario’s agriculture ministry has patched a glitch in its wildlife damage compensation program, in which farmers’ claims risked rejection over the validity of their farm business registrations. “We heard livestock farmers’ concerns with the program so we’re making the first changes effective immediately,” Agriculture Minister Ernie Hardeman said in a release Monday. “We’re also continuing […] Read more
Ontario plugs holes in wildlife compensation plan
Britain outlines post-Brexit farm policy in bill
London | Reuters –– Britain will introduce legislation on Wednesday for agricultural policy after it leaves the European Union that will link support for farmers to the provision of public benefits such as tackling climate change or preserving beautiful landscapes. The Agriculture Bill, primarily covering England, will provide the basis for policy in a sector […] Read more
Have you been affected by drought?
Reading Time: < 1 minute Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is currently collecting information on conditions and impact of the drought in Western Canada. It’s asking producers to take an online survey, which takes about three minutes to complete. “This information helps justify and document the necessity for programs such as Livestock Tax Deferral,” it said, adding the results will be […] Read more
Lilly’s Elanco unit expects IPO to raise up to US$1.45 billion
Reuters — Eli Lilly + Co.’s Elanco Animal Health unit expects its initial public offering to raise up to US$1.45 billion, betting on increased appetite among investors for animal health companies. The IPO of 62.9 million shares is expected to be priced between $20-$23 per unit, with the company having a valuation of about $8 […] Read more
‘Enthusiasm and happiness abound’ at Alberta Open Farm Days
Cute animals are a big draw but people ‘genuinely want to see what we’re doing,’ say farm hosts
Reading Time: 6 minutes The focus was on food and farming all over the province during Open Farm Days where Albertans showed they are interested in where their food comes from. More than 100 farms participated this year, including HGB Bison Ranch just south of Olds. It was a brand new experience for Heather and George Briggs, who were […] Read more
Elk testing at Suffield finds no bovine tuberculosis
Reading Time: < 1 minute Testing of elk at CFB Suffield during the 2017-18 hunting season is complete and all results were negative. After bovine tuberculosis (bTB) was found in one beef cow in southeastern Alberta in 2016, officials with the wildlife branch of Alberta Environment and Parks worked with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to develop a three-year testing […] Read more
Coop federee buys into Ontario feed sector
Fresh off its recent investment in the Prairie livestock feed business, Quebec ag co-operative giant La Coop federee is headed down a similar path in southwestern Ontario. The co-operative announced Monday it will pay an undisclosed sum for a 50 per cent stake in W-S Feed and Supply, based at Tavistock, Ont., about 30 km […] Read more
Second farm organization offering cash advances
Reading Time: < 1 minute Producers have another option when seeking a cash advance. Beginning Sept. 1, the Alberta Wheat Commission will provide cash advances through FarmCash under the federal government’s Advance Payments Program. The federal loan guarantee program provides low-interest cash advances up to $400,000, with the first $100,000 interest free. FarmCash will offer advances on 45 commodities, including […] Read more
Bison sector has learned how to make best use of bulls
Beef 911: Artificial insemination is rare so there’s been a lot of attention paid to breeding capacity
Reading Time: 4 minutes Since the beef industry adjusts breeding capacity based on libido, semen production, and length of breeding season, I thought it good to review breeding capacity of bison bulls. While longevity is longer than beef bulls, we rarely talk about breeding capacity. The bison industry does not utilize artificial insemination like the beef industry (although it […] Read more
Alberta Beef Producers looking for candidates
Nominations close August 31
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Beef Producers is currently accepting nominations for delegates to run in its 2018 fall elections. Producers in each of the nine geographic zones in the province can elect up to five delegates and one cattle feeder delegate to serve two-year terms. However, elections are staggered so this year, two producer delegate positions are open […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
