Livestock
Prince Edward Island’s agriculture minister is among the members of the province’s Liberal caucus heading back to the legislature after a convincing win Monday night. In unofficial results posted late Monday by Elections P.E.I., Premier Robert Ghiz’s Liberals held only a slightly smaller majority, elected or leading in 22 of 27 districts, with the remaining […] Read more
P.E.I. agriculture minister re-elected
Klassen: Weaker corn, softer dollar strengthen feeder cattle
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $2-$3 per hundredweight (cwt) higher last week on average. Strong demand was noted on all weight categories, with heavier replacements sometimes up $3-$4/cwt. A group of red and black Angus-based steers weighing 920 pounds with no special qualities sold for $123/cwt in central Alberta. A similar group of cattle […] Read more
Quebec to dial back ASRA premiums for 2011-12
Quebec’s ag financing agency plans to further soften its planned changes for its ASRA income stabilization program, by lowering farmers’ premiums and allowing hog farmers an extra break on ASRA’s revised average costs of production. La Financiere agricole de Quebec (FADQ) has been under fire since last year for its planned changes to ASRA — […] Read more
Cut rate extended for CFIA livestock export paperwork
Shippers of livestock and embryos from Canada can expect their export certification fees to stay the same for about the next two years. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Thursday it will continue to cap its user fees at $75 until September 2013 for a specific list of livestock and embryo industries. Between now and […] Read more
First-ever agriculture deals site launched
Farm Business Communications has launched AG-Deals.com, the first-ever deals site for the agricultural sector. “AG-Deals is a great opportunity for both farmers and suppliers,” FBC sales manager Lynda Tityk said in a statement Thursday. “Suppliers can sponsor deals to support specific products or sales initiatives and farmers have access to some of the best pricing […] Read more
Cattlemen backed to evaluate bovine TB test options
Funding for a new diagnostic test for bovine tuberculosis in cattle that will be simpler and more cost-effective for regulatory agencies to administer was announced Tuesday by Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. Nearly $320,000 has been set aside through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) to help the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association evaluate alternative bovine TB tests […] Read more
OFA president won’t run again
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s president plans to complete her term and return to a “more active role” in farming without seeking re-election. Bette Jean Crews, who farms with her husband at Trenton, Ont. and represents Zone 12 on the OFA board, put in her notice Monday that she will not seek re-election to a […] Read more
U.S. to accept Canadian cattle’s blood meal
The United States will resume imports of blood meal from Canadian cattle for the first time in eight years, a senior Canadian government source said Tuesday. Trade in bovine blood meal, which is used in fertilizers and animal feeds, will be worth about $4 million per year to the Canadian beef industry, the source said. […] Read more
Hog pneumonia vaccine approved for day-olds
A vaccine used to protect hogs against mycoplasma pneumonia can now be used by producers when processing day-old baby piglets. The Canadian animal health arm of drug maker Pfizer said last week it’s picked up approval for the new label claim for RespiSure-One, which the company said makes its product the only vaccine approved for […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle shrug off recessionary fears
Feeder cattle prices across Western Canada were steady to $2 higher on average with stronger demand surfacing in the lighter weight categories. Pee-wee steer calves under 350 pounds sold for $186 per hundredweight (cwt) in central Alberta, which is near all-time record highs for any weight category. Black Angus-based age-verified steer calves averaging 528 lbs. […] Read more
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