New online resource for processors and producers

Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Agriculture and Forestry has a new online resource called Meeting Customer Requirements that guides producers and processors through the necessary steps to consistently meet market standards, customer, and regulatory requirements. The resource has four modules that each take 15 to 20 minutes to complete. It helps producers and processors evaluate whether their business is able […] Read more

Photo: iStock

Cargill considering bid for JBS’ Pilgrim’s Pride

Sao Paulo / Reuters – Global commodities trader Cargill Inc is considering bidding for Pilgrim’s Pride Corp, a U.S.-based chicken processor controlled by scandal-ridden Brazilian group JBS SA, newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo reported on Wednesday. A JBS representative said Pilgrim’s Pride is not for sale. An emailed request for comments from Cargill went […] Read more


Photo: Thinkstock

Federal government extends food policy discussions

Citing a strong response from across the country, Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay has extended the public consultations on a national food policy until Aug. 31. “Canadians’ responses to our online survey show they truly care about food issues. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the extended comment period, and I look forward […] Read more

Have your say on new national food policy

Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta farmers are being urged to participate in online consultations on the federal government’s new national food policy. “We are pleased to see the federal government engaging with stakeholders across the food industry,” said Jason Lenz, Alberta Barley chair. “The input of farmers in particular will add perspective to this complex policy objective.” Ottawa is […] Read more


Photo: Thinkstock

Annual food contest has new category for alcoholic beverages

Aspiring Manitoba entrepreneurs with creative ideas for new foods or alcoholic beverages are invited to enter the 11th annual Great Manitoba Food Fight (GMFF), Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler announced yesterday “Manitoba is home to many budding entrepreneurs with a passion for food and drink and the skill to create innovative and delicious new products,” said […] Read more

(Stephen Ausmus photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Chicken farmers to expand phase-out of antibiotics

The national body for Canada’s chicken producers has set new targets to phase out preventive use of the antimicrobials deemed next-to-most important in human medicine. Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC) on Tuesday announced that, following the “successful elimination” of Category I antibiotics for disease prevention in chickens, its antimicrobial use strategy will next focus on […] Read more


An undercover video of chickens being abused at a B.C. farm is very disturbing but not representative of the industry, 
says the chair of Alberta Chicken Producers.

Chicken producers decry abuse shown in undercover video

Abuse on a B.C. broiler farm is an isolated incident but the poultry industry must ensure 
it doesn’t happen again, says Alberta Chicken Producers

Reading Time: 2 minutes Like its predecessors, the latest undercover video by Mercy for Animals showing abuse of animals on a farm has had a big impact. The 2-1/2-minute long video shows catchers from Elite Farm Services kicking, throwing, and simulating sexual acts with broiler chickens on a farm in B.C.’s Fraser Valley. Erna Ference, chair of the Alberta […] Read more

(CBSA-asfc.gc.ca)

Canada, Mexico urge quick NAFTA talks to end uncertainty

Washington/Ottawa | Reuters — Top Canadian and Mexican diplomats expressed optimism on Thursday that a NAFTA deal could be reached early next year and cautioned that widespread uncertainty over the future of the three-way trade agreement had slowed business investment. Mexican sources say the plan is to hold seven rounds of talks at three-week intervals, […] Read more