Livestock

Citing a “lack of participation,” the U.S. hog farmers behind a proposal for a sow “retirement” program say their plan will not go ahead. “Market conditions have changed dramatically for the worse for the pork industry in the past few months,” Iowa producer Chuck Wirtz said in a release Thursday from his group, called the […] Read more

Canadian livestock producers hoping to see the U.S. government provide some hard data on the impacts of its country-of-origin labelling (COOL) law shouldn’t hold their breath. J. Patrick Boyle, CEO of the American Meat Institute, told the House of Commons’ standing committee on agriculture and agri-food in Ottawa Thursday that the meat industry organization isn’t […] Read more

Three research projects, including one to explore just how a misfolded protein can infect animals and cause fatal illnesses, have picked up a total $1.6 million in federal and provincial support. PrioNet Canada, a nationwide network of researchers devoted to prion diseases, and the Alberta Prion Research Institute, a provincially-backed initiative, on Wednesday announced the […] Read more

The Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association has revamped its website to include a new search engine for consumers to find specific foods or types of direct farm markets. “Whether you want to pick fresh strawberries, juicy peaches or sweet blueberries, with over 200 Ontario farms that are open to the public, there’s one that is […] Read more

The government of Mongolia has approved a number of Canadian Food Inspection Agency export certificates to allow imports of a variety of Canadian livestock, meat and animal products. In a release Tuesday after meeting in Ottawa with Mongolian Agriculture Minister Tunjin Badamjunai, federal Ag Minister Gerry Ritz said products that can now be exported to […] Read more

However hogs on a farm in central Alberta came down with the human H1N1 virus, it wasn’t from the carpenter who until now has been presumed to have passed it to the animals. The Canadian Press news agency on Sunday quoted Howard May, the southern Alberta spokesperson for the province’s health and wellness department, as […] Read more

Prince Edward Island Cattle Producers have pointed to a much-publicized seizure of an island rancher’s herd as a “cruel reminder” of the state of the province’s beef industry. Producers do not receive the cost of production for their cattle, thus “rapidly eroding” the island’s beef herd, the PEICP said in a statement Friday. “One thing […] Read more

The Western College of Veterinary Medicine has picked up over $9 million in federal and provincial funds to complete the renos and expansion of its diagnostic laboratory. The WCVM, based in Saskatoon at the University of Saskatchewan, will get $9.06 million for the project as part of a $21.8 million joint pledge for infrastructure work […] Read more

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s new market access secretariat for the livestock industry has named its man at the top. Fred Gorrell, who started as director general of the market access secretariat in Ottawa on Monday, has a resume steeped in Canada’s international livestock trade. Gorrell, before his new appointment, was executive director for international policy […] Read more

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration Thursday of the H1N1 flu virus’ spread as a phase 6 pandemic is no reason to further restrict trade with Canada, federal ministers warn. “While the situation is serious, the WHO has recommended that international borders remain open and that trade and commerce continue to move freely,” Agriculture Minister […] Read more