Economic downturn slows cattle sector recovery

(Resource News International) — The size of Canada’s cattle herd has declined steadily in recent years, and could continue to do so as the current economic downturn has thrown a wrench in the recovery process, according to an official with the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. “It’s pretty clear that supplies of cattle in North America are […] Read more

E. coli in retail chicken eyed for link to infections

Research from McGill University suggests there may be a link between a strain of E. coli in undercooked chicken and a risk of urinary tract infections in younger women who consume it. McGill researcher Amee Manges, studying samples taken in the Montreal area between 2005 and 2007, in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of […] Read more


Klassen: Feeder cattle values edge higher

Jan. 25 — Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were $3 to $5 higher last week; U.S. prices were also $2 to $4 higher for heavier animals, while cattle under 500 pounds were $8 to $10 higher for the second week in a row. Despite larger numbers of feeder cattle coming on the market, values […] Read more

Ont. dairy farmers urge appeal over raw milk

Citing “increased public health risks,” the Dairy Farmers of Ontario is publicly urging the province to appeal a local justice’s decision allowing distribution of raw, unpastuerized milk through “cow shares.” “At this point, DFO expects the Ontario government will appeal the decision to a higher court, defend the legislation and take all steps necessary to […] Read more


Upgrades funded for Alta. grazing reserves

Fences, water systems and other infrastructure on Alberta’s 32 provincial grazing reserves are booked for $9.2 million in renovations. The federal and provincial governments on Monday announced funding of $5.925 million and $3.3 million respectively over this year and the next fiscal year for the reserves, which provide summer pasture for ranchers and farmers on […] Read more

Westco offers “contract-kill” deal in N.B.

New Brunswick poultry producer Groupe Westco is proposing to follow the province’s orders on where it ships its chickens, but on its own terms. The province, on Jan. 20, issued a temporary ministerial order requiring all poultry production in New Brunswick to be shipped to Nadeau Poultry Farm’s federally-inspected processing plant at St-Francois-de-Madawaska, near Edmundston. […] Read more


Poultry partners rip N.B. order as “illegal”

A ministerial order directing all poultry produced in New Brunswick to be processed at Maple Lodge’s Nadeau Poultry Farm facility is seen as a “clearly illegal” attempt to block interprovincial trade. New Brunswick poultry producer Groupe Westco — which plans to build a $30 million poultry slaughterhouse and processing plant at Clair, N.B. in a […] Read more

Ont. cattle dealer fined for unlicensed dealing

An Ontario businessman best known for a notorious beef slaughter operation is out $15,000 for dealing cattle without a license. Richard (Butch) Clare of Burford, Ont. was convicted at trial Oct. 9, along with two numbered Ontario companies, one of which operated under the name Butch Clare Livestock. The Ontario Court of Justice in Brantford […] Read more


Ont. raw milk co-op passes legal test

An Ontario dairy farmer managing a “cow share” program for fans of raw, unpasteurized milk has been acquitted of charges that alleged sales of the raw product, the Canadian Press reported Thursday. Charges were laid in 2006 against Michael Schmidt of Durham, Ont., where he operates a program in which about 150 members of a […] Read more

CCIA age verification work backed in Sask.

The Saskatchewan and federal governments will jointly put up over $1 million for staff and office space to help livestock producers in that province with age verification and other traceability work. The funding is to go to the Calgary-based Canadian Cattle Identification Agency to help open a new satellite office in Saskatoon and hire three […] Read more