Washington | Reuters — U.S. legislation to repeal country-of-origin meat labelling (COOL) laws, which the World Trade Organization found discriminate against Mexico and Canada, passed a congressional committee on Wednesday and moved one step closer to becoming law. The House of Representatives’ agriculture committee approved the bill on a vote of 38-6, clearing the way […] Read more
U.S. bill to repeal COOL advances
WTO panel rejects final U.S. appeal on COOL
Canada is set to ask the World Trade Organization to allow a long list of retaliatory tariffs against U.S. agrifoods and other goods, after a WTO panel shot down Washington’s final defense of its country-of-origin labelling (COOL) law on meat. The WTO Appellate Body on Monday released its report on the U.S. government’s appeal of […] Read more
U.S. sees El Nino as near-certain to last through summer
New York | Reuters — The El Nino climate phenomenon is almost certain to last through the Northern Hemisphere summer, the U.S. weather forecaster said, raising the chance of heavy rain in the southern U.S. as well as South America, and scorching heat in Asia that could devastate crops of thirsty food staples like rice. […] Read more
Consult vet when newborn sheep and goats die
If a common infectious agent is the cause, steps can be taken to reduce the risk
Reading Time: < 1 minute Outbreaks of abortions and stillbirths in sheep and goats, and deaths in newborn lambs and kids, can have severe economic impact on a farm’s profitability. With the help of their veterinarian, producers can identify common infectious causes of abortions, stillbirths and deaths in newborn lambs and kids. This will allow the producer to take preventive […] Read more
People make the difference in Outstanding Young Farmer program
Participants say the chance to connect with innovative farmers is at the heart of the program that showcases producers under the age of 40
Reading Time: 3 minutes There’s been a changing of the guard, but last year’s winners are still pumped about their experience as the province’s Outstanding Young Farmers and their trip to the finals in Quebec City in November. “Phenomenal is the best word I can find,” said Nicole Brousseau, who operates Moo-Lait Family Farms with husband Richard near St. […] Read more
Ponoka dairy goat producers newest Outstanding Young Farmers
Cherylynn and Patrick Bos have become the dominant Alberta supplier of goat milk products
Reading Time: 2 minutes Ponoka dairy goat producers Cherylynn and Patrick Bos are this year’s Outstanding Young Farmers from Alberta. “It was just really great to meet a group of people that was so optimistic and upbeat about farming,” said Cherylynn Bos. “We just really hope to build some lifelong relationships and friendships with those people.” Meeting the other […] Read more
N.S. sheep producers backed for handling upgrades
Handling upgrades expected to help Nova Scotia’s sheep farmers cut down parasite loads in their flocks may be eligible for some public funding. The federal and provincial governments and Sheep Producers Association of Nova Scotia (SPANS) recently rolled out a Sheep Handling and Parasite Control Program, which will pay up to 40 per cent of […] Read more
French farmers cry wolf over sheep killings
Paris | Reuters — French farmers, who regularly bring livestock into Paris to punctuate their protests, drove some 250 sheep into the shadow of the Eiffel Tower on Thursday to highlight an unusual concern — that a growing wolf population is killing their flocks. Wolves were reintroduced to France in the 1990s under an international […] Read more
A French adventure for young Alberta shepherd
Reading Time: 2 minutes Adriane Good now has a lifelong distinction — the first Canadian to participate in the World Young Shepherd’s Challenge. The 20-year-old travelled to France this fall to compete against other young shepherds from around the world — although it was friendly competition. “Honestly, the best part of it was meeting all these people from around […] Read more
Australia, China on track to sign lucrative cattle deal
Sydney / Reuters – Australia will export up to 1 million head of cattle a year to China, worth around A$1 billion ($856 million), to meet booming demand for red meat under a long-awaited deal set to be signed shortly, Australian officials said on Friday. Shipping live animals from Australia to China has been discussed for many years. Official talks began […] Read more