Livestock
Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were steady to $1 higher over the holiday week while U.S. values were steady to $3 higher. Volumes were rather light and many sales barns were closed. Canadian feeder cattle exports have dropped under 2,000 head per week, with little buying interest surfacing for the few feeders coming available. […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle feel vulnerable
Beef packers’ SRM support programs set in motion
Programs laid out in March’s federal budget to help Canada’s beef slaughterhouses better deal with their leftover specified risk materials (SRMs) are now taking applications. The federal government on Monday launched a abattoir competitiveness program, worth $25 million, and a slaughter waste innovation program, worth $40 million, both backed by the AgriFlexibility fund. “We’re working […] Read more
Former Ont. ag critic Murdoch won’t run again
Ontario Tory MPP and rural affairs critic Bill Murdoch has announced he won’t seek re-election next year. When election time comes, provincial Tory leader Tim Hudak said Monday, the Ontario legislature “will lose one of its most tenacious members, a true maverick and a long-standing champion of rural and agricultural Ontario.” First elected in 1990 […] Read more
Cattle producers plan national mentorship program
Canada’s national cattle producers’ group plan to test-run a nationwide mentorship initiative for young producers with a pilot program in Alberta starting in July. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association on Wednesday rolled out its new Cattlemen’s Young Leaders (CYL) Development Program, expected to provide “industry-specific” training and mentorship opportunities to producers between the ages of 18 […] Read more
Ex-CWB director Chatenay joins poultry, egg board
The Alberta farmer who became the Canadian Wheat Board’s first elected pro-deregulation director has joined the council overseeing supply management of Canadian eggs and poultry. Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz on Friday appointed Jim Chatenay of Red Deer to a 28-month term on the Farm Products Council of Canada. “With his substantial agricultural background, including […] Read more
Maple Leaf adopts “poison pill” plan
With an agreement that neatly organized control of Maple Leaf Foods set to die Wednesday (June 30), the company has put a poison pill policy in place to buy time against any unexpected takeover bid. Pending shareholder approval, the Toronto-based food processing giant on Tuesday announced it had adopted the new policy, which it, like […] Read more
Canada serving beef in Shanghai on Canada Day
Chinese officials have allowed Canadian dignitaries to import and serve up a “special shipment” of beef for a July 1 barbecue at the Canada Pavilion during Shanghai’s World Expo 2010. “We’d like to thank our Chinese friends for allowing a special shipment of beef for our Canada Day celebrations, as we work to complete our […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market turns quiet
Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were $1 to $3 higher this past week for calves weighing less than 700 pounds. Prices were slightly softer for heavier feeders in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, while regular demand in Alberta kept prices firm. Available feeder cattle numbers are dwindling and this upcoming week will be very slow, with […] Read more
China to resume Canadian beef imports
A Chinese delegation led by that country’s president Hu Jintao has signed on to make Canada the first BSE-affected country ever to export beef to China. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan announced the “breakthrough agreement” as one of a list of bilateral signings Thursday afternoon […] Read more
Former Manitoba ag minister Harry Enns, 78
Harry Enns, a former rancher and Manitoba’s agriculture minister in Gary Filmon’s administration during the 1990s, died Thursday at age 78. Enns, a provincial politician for 37 years, represented the Lakeside riding north of Winnipeg in the province’s Interlake region, including the communities of Teulon and Stonewall. He first came to the legislature in what […] Read more
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