Livestock
Big Sky Farms, the largest hog production company in Saskatchewan, has applied for creditor protection, according to Saskatchewan media. The Humboldt, Sask. company cited an unprecedented downturn in North America’s markets for pork, Canadian Press said Wednesday. CBC quoted Big Sky CEO Casey Smit as saying in a news release that “while today’s actions are […] Read more
Big Sky files for creditor protection: reports
Hog transition plan’s first round funds 74 bids
The federal hog farm transition program’s first round of bids has ended with 74 successful bidders taking a total of $10.55 million to fold up their hog operations for at least three years. The weighted average of the successful bids was $765.52 per animal unit equivalent, the Canadian Pork Council said in a release, with […] Read more
Ont. backs organic dairy partnership
A Guelph organic dairy planning to include water buffalo, goat and sheep milk in its product offerings will get up to $595,000 in provincial funding. The Ontario government announced up to $495,000 in funding Tuesday through its Rural Economic Development Program for the new facility, a partnership between Guelph organic co-operative Organic Meadow and Steen’s […] Read more
Sask. to pay new $20 bounty on coyotes
Saskatchewan’s agriculture ministry has launched a pilot program to thin out coyote packs threatening farmers’ and ranchers’ livestock. The province’s new coyote control program, which will pay hunters $20 per coyote they kill, begins Tuesday (Nov. 10) and runs until March 31, 2010, at which point an extension will be considered. “Many Saskatchewan farmers and […] Read more
Klassen: Enthusiasm hits feeder market
NEW FEATURE: Jerry Klassen, an independent commodity trader well known to readers of Canadian Cattlemen and the Cattleman’s Corner section in Grainews for his analysis of the livestock markets, now brings a new weekly column on cattle markets to AGCanada.com and its affiliated sites. Nov. 9 — U.S. feeder prices are $3-$4 per hundredweight (cwt) […] Read more
Sask. cattle producers name new CEO
A cow/calf producer and former Canfax cattle market analyst has taken the helm of Saskatchewan’s new cattle producers’ group. Keith Robertson, who operates a cow/calf herd at Perdue, Sask., about 60 km west of Saskatoon, has been named CEO of the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association, as of Oct. 26. Robertson worked for over 15 years in […] Read more
Ontario Pork names new GM
Ontario Pork’s director of strategic management has been named as its general manager. Ken Ovington was named Wednesday to the general manager’s job after over 10 years with the organization in various posts, focused on “business development, strategic planning, production expertise and business operations,” the provincial pork board said. “Ken has been involved in every […] Read more
Editors’ Picks: U.S. house cat catches H1N1
A 13-year-old indoor cat in Iowa is confirmed to have had and recovered from pandemic H1N1 influenza, marking another species crossover for the virus. “Two of the three members of the family that owns the pet had suffered from influenza-like illness before the cat became ill,” veterinarian Dr. Ann Garvey of the Iowa Department of […] Read more
Neilson helps boost Saputo profit in Q2
Revised Feb. 3, 2010 — Canada’s largest dairy processing firm has raised its net earnings by over a third in its second fiscal quarter, thanks in part to revenue from one of its newer subsidiaries. Montreal-based Saputo on Tuesday posted $94.45 million in profit on $1.48 billion in revenues for the quarter ending Sept. 30, […] Read more
N.S. names panel for farmland review
The panel tasked with a public review of the management and long-term future of Nova Scotia’s farmland has been named. The provincial government on Wednesday named the five members of its previously-announced Agricultural Land Review Committee. They include Rick Williams of Salt Springs, John Van de Reit of Shubenacadie, Bill Swetnam of Centreville, Patricia Bishop […] Read more
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