Livestock
A probiotic product developed at the University of Guelph is in testing to prove its effectiveness in stopping E. coli and other food-borne pathogens before they can cause harmful infections. The new group of bioactive compounds discovered at Guelph could go so far as to help save lives in parts of the world where as […] Read more
Probiotic eyed to block E. coli infections at source
Ont. backs Manitoulin Island slaughter plant
Livestock producers on southern Ontario’s Manitoulin Island will get provincial funding toward a community abattoir to supply local-level processors. The province on Tuesday pledged $129,168 in funding from its Rural Economic Development program for the $1.58 million project, spearheaded by the Manitoulin Island Community Abattoir (MICA) group. “The new abattoir will give farmers the opportunity […] Read more
Olymel bacon plant funded for faster processing
Quebec meat packing giant Olymel has picked up a $2 million federal loan for three new bacon slicing and packing lines for its Aliments Prince food service operations. Aliments Prince, which makes precooked bacon products for the foodservice, retail, restaurant and fast food sectors at St-Hyacinthe, will be able to increase the speed on its […] Read more
Klassen: Upward momentum lifts feeder cattle
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $2 to $3 higher last week. Most auction markets reported very little volume and many cattle buyers remain on holidays at the Calgary Stampede. In central Alberta, 800- to 900-pound steers averaged $128 with feedlots showing stronger interest for heavier replacements. Alberta packers bought fed cattle at $101 per […] Read more
Rain-soaked Man. ranchers offered tax deferrals
The 2011 tax year is barely half over but the federal government has already seen enough of it to allow a number of Manitoba producers to defer income on sales of livestock due to excess moisture. The Canada Revenue Agency on Monday said it would grant the deferrals to producers in 17 Manitoba rural municipalities […] Read more
SW Ont. meat processor backed for expansion
A southwestern Ontario processor providing specialty beef and pork cuts to restaurants, butcher shops and retailers in the province has picked up public funding for a major plant expansion. Walnut Hill Farm, based at Gads Hill, north of Stratford, will get $139,250 from the provincial government’s Rural Economic Development program toward a $298,500 expansion and […] Read more
Labour deal put to vote at XL Lakeside
Workers at XL Foods’ Lakeside beef plant, many now sporting “I’m on strike alert” stickers on their hard hats, will put a tentative contract to a vote this week, leading either to labour peace or a strike vote. United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 401, which represents the workers at the Brooks, Alta. packing […] Read more
Pfizer looks to shed animal health business
The veterinary drug business of U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is on the block for a possible sale, spinoff or some other form of full or partial split from its parent. New York-based Pfizer announced Thursday it’s “exploring strategic alternatives” for its Pfizer Animal Health wing as well as its Pfizer Nutrition business, which deals in […] Read more
Poultry antibiotic pulled in Canada
A feed additive used to help prevent coccidiosis in poultry will be suspended from sale in Canada next month. Pfizer Animal Health’s Canadian arm and Winnipeg veterinary drug distributor Dominion Veterinary Laboratories will voluntarily suspend sales of roxarsone, as sold in the products 3-Nitro-20 and Super Nitro-12, effective Aug. 8. Pfizer’s Alpharma subsidiary in the […] Read more
National cattle record-keeping system phase-in begins
The launch has begun for the Beef InfoXchange System (BIXS), a voluntary Canada-wide data recording system for cattle producers. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), which oversees BIXS, said Thursday in a release that a “limited number” of cow-calf producers are to receive invitations to register, log on and submit their individual animals’ data to the […] Read more
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