Reading Time: 2 minutes The iconic Ranchmen’s Club in Calgary was the scene last month of one of the most significant donations of ranchlands for research in Canadian history. The University of Alberta received the 12,300-acre Three Walking Sticks Ranch near Duchess from Edwin and Ruth Mattheis, both alumni of the university. The Mattheises acquired the 19-section ranch, 150 […] Read more
Largest-Ever Gift Of Land To A Canadian University
Are Dead Ducks More Important Than Dead People?
Reading Time: 3 minutes The announcement came and went without much fanfare, but then there wasn’t a lot to announce except more of the same. I refer to the recent statement that Minister of Agriculture Jack Hayden will be creating the “Farm Safety Advisory Council” to deal with the ongoing crisis in agriculture-related injuries and deaths. It seemed to […] Read more
A Win On Checkoffs, Concerns About Land-Use Plan
Reading Time: 2 minutes After overcoming a serious checkoff issue, Alberta Beef Producers delegates took time to savour that victory at their recent annual meeting and then quickly set their sights on other batttles still to be won. The biggest issue facing ABP in 2010 was the refundable checkoff, which became a financial fact early in the year and […] Read more
Is the end in sight for hog producers in Alberta?
Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s a well-worn headline used by many analysts when trying to find some glimmer of hope in a depressed commodity market – “Is the end in sight?” That is beginning to have a more ominous meaning in this province – the end for many hog producers has been a mass exodus from the industry. Statistics […] Read more
Broyce Jacobs Responsible For Some Sensitive Issues
Reading Time: 3 minutes Broyce Jacobs is the parliamentary assistant to Agriculture Minister Jack Hayden. In that role, he assists the minister in carrying out specific assignments, representing him at events and functions, and performing some duties in the legislature. A parliamentary assistant does not have ministerial responsibilities, nor a specific staff or office.Alberta Farmerrecently met with Jacobs, who […] Read more
Changes To Cattle Checkoff Almost Ready
Reading Time: 2 minutes At press time last week, cattle industry organizations were still waiting for confirmation that the compulsory national checkoff on Alberta cattle would be reinstated. That was expected after the agreement between the Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) and the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association to reinstate the $1 per head checkoff. However, ABP had to get approval […] Read more
Minister Creates New Safety Council
Reading Time: 2 minutes A consultant’s report released by Alberta Agriculture has recommended that an industry stakeholder group be established to support the development of health and safety practices in the agriculture industry. In response, Agriculture Minister Jack Hayden has created the Farm Safety Advisory Council to advise the government on farm safety issues. “This council will bring industry […] Read more
Restoring Direction And Confidence To The Sheep Industry
Reading Time: 3 minutes The recent conference of the Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF) in Calgary brought to light a market situation that other commodities can only dream about – high producer prices, high demand and a declining supply. Such an atmosphere certainly provided for an optimistic mood at the meeting, but there seemed to be some underlying angst to […] Read more
Traceability Needs To Be Afiordable And Make Business Sense
Reading Time: 3 minutes Traceability took a belated step forward with Agriculture Minister Hayden and industry representatives signing an agreement on the guiding principles for livestock traceability. Some may see this event as a feel-good opportunity without a lot of substance on a contentious subject. But getting so many diverse cattle industry stakeholders and the government in the same […] Read more
Government And Cattle Industry Find Common Ground On Traceability
Reading Time: 2 minutes Government and cattle industry stakeholders have signed off on “The Guiding Principles for Beef Cattle Traceability.” This agreement establishes an acceptable common understanding of traceability among the Alberta government and industry partners for a national beef traceability system. The agreement is in response to concerns expressed by the cattle industry that the national traceability initiative […] Read more
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