Genetically engineered salmon awaits approval

  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ended two days of hearings this week into the safety of genetically modified salmon for human consumption with a call for more research. The salmon, which is reported to reach full size in half the time of other salmon, has raised the ire of consumer and environmental groups […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder cattle prices remain vulnerable

U.S. feeder values for weaned calves and yearlings were $3 to $5 lower last week due to stronger feedgrain values. Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) corn futures made new highs last week, resulting in lower bids for replacement cattle, despite the strength in the deferred live cattle futures. Canadian prices held values, with 800-pound steers […] Read more


Difficult harvest increases feed wheat supplies

Adverse harvest conditions across the Canadian prairies is pointing to large volumes of  feed wheat around this winter.  Gerald Snip, a grain trader with Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge, said most of Alberta and Saskatchewan are having big problems getting the crop off.  "It’s just too wet to even get the combines on the field […] Read more

Man. tightens rules on handling downer livestock

Added regulations blocking the shipping and sale of livestock unfit for transport are now in effect in Manitoba. The province on Monday proclaimed its Animal Care Amendment Act, which specifically bans the loading and transportation of animals that aren’t fit to transport and those that can’t be moved without “causing suffering.” The amendments also ban […] Read more


Canada’s data undisputed on damages following COOL

Revised, Sept. 23 — The U.S. government hasn’t challenged Canada’s “economic evidence” of the harm caused by mandatory country-of-origin labelling (COOL), but blames “market participants” rather than COOL itself, Canada’s cattle agency reports. Attending the first round of oral hearings in a challenge of U.S. COOL by Canada and Mexico at a World Trade Organization […] Read more

Prices seen improving on Canadian cattle

(Resource News International) — Cattle producers in Canada have seen steady increases in prices for new calves over the last year, and values should continue to hold these levels at least in the short to medium term. Herb Lock of Farm Sense Marketing in Edmonton said prices have been much better this year for new […] Read more


Alta. 4-H eyes mandatory helmets on horseback

Revised Sept. 16 — Alberta’s 4-H is considering mandatory riding helmets for participants on horseback during 4-H events. The youth organization, according to the provincial government, is specifically weighing whether to require a “properly fitted” and ASTM/SEI- (American Society for Testing and Materials Safety Equipment Institute) or BSI- (British Standards Institution) approved equestrian helmet to […] Read more

La Coop federee funded for sow feeding study

Developing the best ways to feed breeding sows and improve their milk yield for their piglets is the goal behind public funding for a study led by Quebec’s federation of ag co-operatives. La Coop federee on Wednesday picked up $80,000 in federal funding through the Developing Innovative Agri-Products (DIAP) initiative, to study and develop feeding […] Read more


CCIA adds online user support feature

A new online “Resource Centre” including a user guide, templates and tools for information upload, frequently asked questions (FAQs), software resources and feedback channels is the latest feature of the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency website. The Resource Centre is much like a roadmap to the CCIA’s Canadian Livestock Tracking System, or CLTS, CCIA chairman Darcy […] Read more

Coccidiosis treatment for hogs due in fall

A drug billed as the first federally-approved treatment for coccidiosis in hog herds in Canada is “on track” for release later this fall, the manufacturer reports. Bayer HealthCare’s animal health division has confirmed its toltrazuril product Baycox 5% now has a notice of compliance from Health Canada and will be available to veterinarians, and to […] Read more