Egg consumption, which has been rising for a decade, exploded last year when fast-food chains introduced all-day breakfasts. That means Alberta’s egg producers are busier than ever.

Get Cracking: It’s boom time for egg farmers

All-day breakfast has the egg sector scrambling to keep up with demand

Reading Time: 3 minutes The latest hot trend in fast food is boosting the fortunes of egg farmers in Alberta and across the country. “Egg sales have gone up all across Canada because of the all-day breakfast,” said Egg Farmers of Alberta chair Beatrice Visser. “We have increased the consumption.” That’s putting it mildly. Egg sales have been rising […] Read more

There are a number of things you should know before talking with your veterinarian about prescriptions.

Just what exactly does a ‘relationship’ with a vet involve?

New rules will require vets to have a fuller understanding of an operation before prescribing

Reading Time: 3 minutes The changes that Health Canada will implement on Dec. 1 require there be a relationship between the veterinarian, the client, and the patient. As the spokesperson and care provider for the patient — that may be animal, fowl, bee, or fish — it is important to know what that relationship requires. Health Canada refers to […] Read more


Primo’s “Rustic Beef Barley” soup. (PrimoHeartySoups.ca)

Soup maker Baxters sells Canadian arm

The Canadian business of Scottish soup and condiment maker Baxters Food Group is back in Canadian hands, including private, public and labour-sponsored Quebec investors. Provincial venture capital firm Investissement Quebec and labour-sponsored Fonds de solidarite FTQ and Fondaction announced Tuesday they would each put up $8 million, plus an unspecified amount from investors led by […] Read more



(MDurson/iStock/Getty Images)

EU backs plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance

Brussels | Reuters — EU member states backed a plan on Wednesday to combat antimicrobial resistance, an increasing global health issue, that would reduce the use of antibiotics in the food chain and limit certain drugs to humans. Antimicrobial resistance threatens the effectiveness of medicines such as antibiotics to treat infections in humans, as bacteria […] Read more

DowDuPont’s Saskatoon laboratory, seen in this company video, played a pivotal role in developing a high-protein canola aimed at the pig and poultry feed markets.

They haven’t struck oil — and that’s a good thing for canola growers

A new high-protein canola aimed at the feed market could increase farmer returns

Reading Time: 3 minutes Canola meal could soon give soymeal a run for its money in international feed markets, thanks to a new high-protein canola variety coming down the pipe. “This is a positive for the whole industry,” said Ward Toma, general manager of Alberta Canola. “It increases the value of the secondary product — the meal — and […] Read more


(Video screengrab from Mapaq.gouv.qc.ca)

Quebec ag minister won’t run again

With just under four months before the province’s next election, Quebec’s current minister of agriculture, food and fisheries won’t be in the running. Laurent Lessard ended weeks of speculation Friday when he announced he won’t seek a sixth term as the MNA for Lotbiniere-Frontenac. In a statement on Facebook, Lessard, 55, thanked his constituents for […] Read more

(Portosdobrasil.gov.br via Flickr)

Chickens culled as Brazil truckers disrupt commodity exports

Sao Paulo | Reuters — Striking truckers in Brazil have disrupted supply and exports of farm produce from one of the world’s agricultural commodity powerhouses. Brazil is the top global exporter of soybeans, sugar, coffee and chickens. The strike over high fuel prices has paralyzed Latin America’s largest economy, emptied Brazilian roadways and left major […] Read more


Cora Scheele elected new AFAC chair

Reading Time: < 1 minute Cora Scheele of Linden is the new chair of the Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) board of directors. “Alberta Farm Animal Care plays an important role in the province, representing all livestock sectors by communicating the industry’s best practices to producers and sharing our story with the public,” said Scheele, a hatching egg producer. James […] Read more