New federal limits halting use of “medically important” antibiotics as growth promotants in livestock production aren’t expected to hurt the industry. “There won’t be as much restriction as we first thought,” Canadian Cattle Association president Dave Solverson said in the latest issue of Alberta Farmer, but added “there will be a little more consultation with […] Read more
Limits on antibiotics’ use acceptable for ranchers
Diesel, exchange rate to boost cost index for Prairie grain freight
A price index on which the math is based for how much revenue Canada’s big two railways get to keep from handling Prairie grain will see an above-average raise for the coming crop year. The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) on Monday pegged the volume-related composite price index (VRCPI) for the 2014-15 crop year at 1.3219, up […] Read more
Another off-farm Manitoba site turns up PEDv
Another unnamed “high-traffic” off-farm site in western Manitoba has been found to have the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) present — albeit briefly, the province reported Monday. Manitoba’s office of the Chief Veterinary Officer on Monday did not mention any cases of the virus in hogs that had been at the site. The latest confirmation […] Read more
Possible new clubroot strain seen beating resistant canolas
Higher-than-expected levels of clubroot infection, recently confirmed in some Edmonton-area canola fields seeded to clubroot-resistant seed varieties, may suggest a new pathotype of the disease in play. Stephen Strelkov, a professor and plant pathologist at the University of Alberta, said in a recent release that data from samples in the Edmonton region indicate some forms […] Read more
Alta. gathers GF2 funding for PED prevention
The Alberta and federal governments have assembled $1.35 million in funding for the province’s hog sector to further build up biosecurity against diseases such as porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED). The money, budgeted for Alberta Pork from the Growing Forward 2 (GF2) ag policy funding framework, is on top of previously-announced GF2 grants for farmers and […] Read more
More Manitoba hogs turn up with PED
Another small group of Manitoba hogs has tested positive off-farm for the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv), this time at an unnamed “high-traffic site” in the province’s livestock-intensive southeast. The office of the provincial chief veterinary officer (CVO) reported Friday that the pigs in this case had been transported from another high-traffic site before they […] Read more
Quebec’s PQ, CAQ name ag critics
Quebec’s opposition Parti Quebecois (PQ) and Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) have named their agriculture critics for when the provincial assembly reconvenes next month. Interim PQ leader Stephane Bedard on Friday named Berthier MNA Andre Villeneuve as the official opposition critic for agriculture, fisheries and food. CAQ leader Francois Legault, also on Friday, named Sylvie D’Amours, […] Read more
Shout-Out for Ag! winners
Reading Time: < 1 minute 4-H Canada and sponsor Farm Credit Canada have announced winners of the Shout-Out for Ag! contest to create a short video illustrating key topics, such as how 4-H has affected their lives, or what they envision for the future of agriculture. Over $50,000 in prize money was awarded to clubs nationwide. Members cast nearly 20,000 […] Read more
Alta. pet food firm to make U.S. play with Kentucky plant
An Edmonton pet food manufacturer with a penchant for home-grown ingredients plans to expand its reach south of the border with a new U.S. facility, and new U.S. suppliers, in western Kentucky. Champion Petfoods, which operates plants at Morinville, Alta. and Oakville, Ont., announced Thursday it will build its third kitchen at Auburn, Kentucky, about […] Read more
Organic business directory now available
Reading Time: < 1 minute The 2014 edition of the Western Canadian Organic Business Directory is now available. The directory lists all companies providing services or processed products to businesses in the organic sector. “We have been hearing from the organic business community that they just don’t know what companies serve the organic sector,” said Becky Lipton, the executive director […] Read more
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