Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta egg farmers aren’t planning to ramp up production as the recent surge in egg sales is expected to be temporary. “For us, the shortage this past week was from consumers overbuying,” Egg Farmers of Alberta spokesperson David Webb said March 25. In order to thwart panic buying or hoarding, many grocery stores are limiting […] Read more
No need to ramp up egg production, says official
Some stores are limiting egg sales but the problem is panic buying, not a production shortage
Lots of flour to go around, millers’ association says
System is 'doing extremely well' and should have no problem keeping up with demand, CNMA's Gordon Harrison says
The grain supply chain is working as it should during the COVID-19 pandemic, says the president of the Canadian National Millers Association. “From the milling industry vantage point, the movement of grain from farm to the producer to the elevator systems to mills is doing extremely well,” Gordon Harrison said Tuesday. “The grain supply chain […] Read more
Decision on temporary foreign workers a boost for Alberta beekeepers
Beekeepers rely heavily on seasonal agricultural workers and would have had to downsize without them
Reading Time: 2 minutes The federal government’s decision to allow seasonal agricultural workers into the country is good news for Alberta’s beekeepers. The ag sector had feared border closures would keep out these workers and devastate sectors such as fruit and vegetable production. But Canadian beekeepers also rely on temporary foreign workers — about 1,500 are hired each year […] Read more
Alberta Milk working to increase milk supply
Demand for milk and dairy products has jumped, but Alberta Milk is increasing deliveries to processors
Reading Time: 2 minutes [UPDATED: Mar. 24, 2020] Alberta Milk is aware of milk shortages in the province and is addressing them, says a spokesperson. “There are shortages happening across the province and we’re trying really hard to react to them,” Karlee Conway said March 23. “I think it comes back to people hoarding milk and products — and […] Read more
Staff laid off at the Ag-Info Centre
Livestock and crop specialists have lost their jobs but province says farmers will be able to get the info they need
Reading Time: 3 minutes Eight specialists at the Ag-Info Centre in Stettler have been laid off in the latest round of staff cuts at Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. But the provincial government says farmers won’t be affected. There was no public announcement of the layoffs, but the province did send letters to crop and livestock associations as well as […] Read more
Beef sector mobilizes against supply disruptions
Keeping border open, meeting demand for beef are top priorities
Teams of livestock and government officials are quickly creating plans and policies to keep the sector functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic, says the executive vice-president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. “Our primary objective obviously is to insure there is stable beef production and trade that can continue under the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dennis […] Read more
Ahead of any emergency, plan for the worst
Disaster planning is not a pleasant task but it's vital that producers have a plan, expert says
Identify your resources and review your plan, says an expert in emergency planning for livestock. The COVID-19 pandemic is a very different type of emergency, said Rebecca Husted, a teacher of technical large animal emergency rescue. “Most disasters like fires and floods have people moving around, but in COVID-19, people are not supposed to move […] Read more
Take extra steps to keep farm workers safe during COVID-19
Add biosecurity practices, or ramp up the ones you already employ
Farmers concerned about the spread of COVID-19 can learn from the hog sector on the matter of protecting themselves and their workers, says a leading expert on biosecurity in the pork industry. “This is the world of biosecurity that the swine industry deals with on a daily basis,” said Dr. Egan Brockhoff, veterinarian counsellor for […] Read more
Pork supply chain not experiencing disruptions, says hog marketing agency
Entire sector has strong biosecurity protocols, says general manager of the Western Hog Exchange
Reading Time: 2 minutes Prices are soft but the hog supply chain is working well, says the general manager of the Western Hog Exchange. The typical mid-March price rally hasn’t occurred but COVID-19 has roiled all markets, said Brent Bushell. “It’s no different than the stock markets, and everything else. It’s the uncertainty,” said Bushell. “I think people are […] Read more
Call your vet before you go to clinic during COVID-19
Different vet clinics have adopted different protocols
Animal welfare is paramount during COVID-19 — but so is human health. That’s why Darrell Dalton, registrar of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, recommends you call ahead before you go to your vet. “Different practices have taken different measures and different steps,” he said. “Some of the small practices are limiting the number of people […] Read more
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