Livestock
A livestock tracking plan introduced on Tuesday aims to improve the United States’ ability to combat disease outbreaks faster, marking the U.S. government’s second attempt on such a system after an earlier plan fizzled out over cost and privacy concerns. The plan introduced by the U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA) could reduce the time it takes […] Read more
U.S. rolls out second bid at livestock tracking plan
Data ready for hog mortality insurance plan
The oddsmaking work is complete on a hog mortality insurance program for Canada’s pork producers, which now moves to Manitoba for development of a pilot plan. The industry-backed Canadian Swine Health Board said Monday it has “successfully completed” development work on a “viable insurance product” for the hog sector. “The actuarial work is now in […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle hold value despite equity market meltdown
Feeder cattle prices in Western Canada were $3 per hundredweight lower to $3 higher in comparison to week-ago levels. Early in the week, the downward slide in the equity markets had cattle buyers on the defensive. However, by Friday, Alberta fed cattle prices were $4 to $5 higher in comparison to seven days earlier and […] Read more
Meat processor plans SE Ont. case-ready plant
A processor in Western Canada plans to open a new case-ready beef and pork packing plant this fall in southeastern Ontario to eventually supply supermarket meat cases across the East. Calgary-based Vantage Foods on Friday confirmed its plans to launch a 48,000-square foot HACCP-certified, CFIA-compliant plant in November at Belleville. The plant’s initial production will […] Read more
Ont. boosts backing for feeder cattle co-op loans
A provincial short-term loan guarantee program allowing Ontario beef producers to buy feeder cattle through farmer co-ops is set to expand its exposure, with new producers in mind. The provincial ag ministry on Thursday announced it will boost its limit as the guarantor for the Feeder Cattle Loan Guarantee Program to $130 million, up from […] Read more
Maple Leaf chief to take over third of company
Maple Leaf Foods’ CEO is poised to become the biggest shareholder in the company in a new governance agreement that includes a standing “poison pill” plan to ward off any snap hostile takeover. The company said last week its board of directors has approved changes to the company’s governance structure which will see CEO Michael […] Read more
More Sask., Man. ranchers offered tax deferrals
More livestock producers in rain-soaked areas of Manitoba and Saskatchewan are now qualified to defer income on sales of breeding stock for tax purposes. The federal government on Tuesday said it would expand the list of designated areas in Manitoba and into Saskatchewan, allowing more producers to defer taxable income from the sale of livestock […] Read more
Klassen: U.S. economy, stronger feedgrains weigh on feeders
Feeder cattle prices were steady to $2 per hundredweight (cwt) softer last week. Auction rings saw limited number of cattle come through and many buyers were still in holiday mode. In southern Alberta 600- to 700-pound steers averaged $142/cwt while demand was stronger for 700- to 800-pound cattle which averaged $133/cwt. Heavier replacement cattle were […] Read more
Students Demonstrate Ingenuity
Reading Time: 1 minute Alberta’s cattle industry is joining the ranks of a surprisingly diverse range of industries and organizations that owe appreciation to a group of Alberta technical students. And, the best may yet be to come: upcoming changes to the technology behind the students’ innovations may offer still more benefit to the cattle industry. The students, who […] Read more
First Combination Product Approved For Several Years
Reading Time: 3 minutes Many of us recall that many years ago there were several combination drugs for cattle. For example, Pen-Strep or Azimycin, which were a combination of two antibiotics, a steroid and an antihistamine, all in one bottle. These products were pulled in the interests of meat safety and beef quality assurance. Today, with more thought on […] Read more
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