Livestock
Members of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) have given the green light for the formation of an arm’s-length charitable foundation. “It’s a means for people to put money towards the industry. It provides a tool for people who want to put something back into the industry to be able to do it with a tax […] Read more
Cattle producers move to set up charitable foundation
N.B. chicken processor presses for supply, threatens closure
The operators of New Brunswick’s only federally-inspected chicken plant have launched a public campaign to restore its supply of New Brunswick birds, and says the plant “could close” if it doesn’t get it. Nadeau Poultry, owned by Ontario packer Maple Lodge Farms and operating at St. Francois-de-Madawaska, N.B., recently launched a campaign of public signage […] Read more
CFIA to review strategy against horse anemia
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency plans to launch a “comprehensive review” of its nationwide control program against equine infectious anemia, as the disease remains on the radar across the country. Canada’s control program for EIA has made “significant progress” in cutting the disease’s prevalence, but EIA “continues to be detected,” particularly in northern regions of […] Read more
Sask. firm backed for beef carcass profiling system
A system to help feedlot operators to peg the best time to ship fat cattle will get federal backing to go commercial on a wider scale. Saskatoon-area MP Brad Trost on Tuesday announced $750,000 in Agri-Opportunities funding for Quantum Genetics Canada to commercialize its management services system. The Saskatoon-based company’s tool uses DNA testing and […] Read more
Klassen: Feedgrain costs influence feeder prices
Western Canadian yearling prices were $2 higher to $3 lower in comparison to seven days earlier, while feeder cattle under 700 pounds were relatively unchanged. Major feedlots continue to set the tone, paying light premiums for good-quality age-verified cattle. This caused an uneven tone and regional differences were also noted. Prices in southern Alberta were […] Read more
Cattle agency moving ahead toward Winnipeg beef plant
A new beef slaughter facility is still on track to open in Winnipeg in 2012, despite losing $10 million in funding from the federal government. “We’re as anxious to get out there and make an announcement as anyone else, and we hope to soon. Everyone is kinda anxious,” David Wiens, a director with the Manitoba […] Read more
Pullet growers draft application for split from eggs
Consultations with Canada’s pullet growers have brought their reorganized national group to complete its first draft of an application for separate status in the country’s supply management system. Pullet Growers of Canada, formerly the National Pullet Growers Association, announced Tuesday it has drafted a “detailed application proposal” for “Part 2” agency status under the federal […] Read more
Earth turning for contentious N.B. chicken plant
New Brunswick poultry producer Groupe Westco and Quebec poultry and pork packer Olymel expect to have a site prepared by the end of October for the much-disputed chicken slaughter plant they aim to have up in about a year. The two companies, which in 2008 formed a joint venture dubbed “Sunnymel” for this project, began […] Read more
Olds College to launch vet tech program
Aiming to address what it calls an “industry shortage,” Alberta’s Olds College plans to launch a new certificate program to train veterinary technical assistants. The agriculture and agribusiness college’s 15-week, five-course veterinary technical assistant program, beginning in January, is expected to provide students with “the training necessary to be employed in veterinary clinics, animal shelters, […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle prices stay firm
Feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 higher on average across Western Canada last week. Feedlot demand was healthy for all weight categories with lighter calves moving into custom backgrounding operations. In southern Alberta, a group of 220 large-frame Charolais-cross steers averaging 805 pounds sold for $136 per hundredweight (cwt). On average steers weighing 700 […] Read more
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