Reading Time: 3 minutes It might be easier to tally up what isn’t new as Alberta Beef Producers heads towards the conclusion of a year that has seen unprecedented change. The pandemic has, of course, been the big one, but the province’s largest cattle organization is also implementing a major revamp of its entire governance structure at a time […] Read more
Change, change and more change coming to Alberta Beef Producers
A long-planned major revamp is taking place at a time when producers simply can’t get together
More crop per drop — irrigation gets ‘historic’ cash injection
New $815-million project will irrigate another 200,000 acres without any additional water allocation
Reading Time: 3 minutes There are a lot of big numbers behind a “historic” expansion of southern Alberta’s irrigation system, but also the smallest possible one — zero. That’s the amount of extra water that will, or rather won’t, be needed to add more than 200,000 irrigated acres that will be created by a $815-million project, officials say. “With […] Read more
The Canada-EU trade deal: High hopes replaced by frustration
Instead of billions in extra trade, agreement bogged down in fruitless talks on ‘technical’ trade barriers
Reading Time: 6 minutes CETA is short for the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, but for many it’s become a term for frustration and disappointment. “When CETA was signed and ratified three years ago, there were lots of promises,” said Doug Sawyer, a cow-calf producer from Pine Lake and co-chair of the foreign trade committee for the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. […] Read more
New-crop missions grounded, but grain sector has adapted
Pandemic provides the push to create a long-discussed online hub that aims to reach more grain buyers
Reading Time: 3 minutes Team Canada won’t be heading out overseas on a new-crop mission this year. Instead, they’ve got a new way to market wheat to their international consumers. “We used to go to about 17 countries within a span of about six and a half weeks. That is not really possible this year,” said Dean Dias, chief […] Read more
‘Light at the end of the tunnel’ as cattle backlog numbers fall
The number of market-ready cattle remains high, but packers have made good progress since spring
Reading Time: 4 minutes In spite of producers’ fears in the spring, things seemed to have settled out a little bit in the cattle market. The shutdown of Cargill in High River and the slowdown of JBS in Brooks left a backlog of cattle that many worried would pummel calf prices this fall. “Our processing was limited in the […] Read more
New beef masterplan links environment to improved profitability
New beef strategy says ranchers can boost profits while cutting greenhouse gas emissions
Reading Time: 5 minutes Capturing carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are two key goals in the newly updated national beef strategy. While these goals may seem contentious to some producers, it’s important to show the public that the beef sector is progressive and doing its part when it comes to combatting climate change as well as protecting the […] Read more
Farmers and Canadian Foodgrains Bank set down deep roots
Reading Time: 4 minutes Across the country, thousands of farmers take time during their busiest season to harvest crops that will be sold to support the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. A few have been going for more than three decades, but many came to be during the 23 years that the charity, an alliance of 15 churches and church-based agencies, […] Read more
Project aims to put innovation to work on more ranches
Pilot program shows that with a little help, ranchers can easily put new ideas and technology to work
Reading Time: 3 minutes Morrie Goetjen was always bothered by one of the springs on his land and considered the muddy patch it made an eyesore. But he didn’t really know what to do with it until he was invited to participate in a pilot program that offered eight ranchers a chance to implement technology that would improve their […] Read more
Pandemic has seen business — and challenges — soar for U-picks
Reading Time: 3 minutes U-pick operations across the country have seen a surge in business this year as people look for family-friendly, safe outings during the pandemic. But the season was not without its challenges. “The business has been busy,” said Leona Staples, who owns and operates The Jungle Farm near Red Deer with husband Blaine. Busy is good, […] Read more
Sustainable beef is working — but don’t let up on the messaging
Pandemic has increased consumer interest in where food comes from, and that’s an opportunity
Reading Time: 4 minutes Does sustainable beef matter in a pandemic? ‘Yes,’ a restaurateur and food distributor said at the virtual Canadian Beef Industry Conference — prompting the two farmers on the panel discussion to call for more co-operation to get the word out on what ranchers are doing for the environment. The public is definitely interested, said Darren […] Read more
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