Reading Time: 2 minutes The branding of Canadian beef was recently discussed at a Canada Beef Inc. (CBI) seminar. The thrust of the discussion was the value of having a genuine all-encompassing “Canadian beef” label for both domestic and export markets. There is much to be said for such an approach, mainly that it fixes a familiar quality and […] Read more
Editorial: Maybe it’s time to bring back that legendary label
Reports of the independents’ death were greatly exaggerated
Reading Time: 3 minutes The headlines of late have been all about consolidation, mergers and acquisitions and about the global players like Agrium and Glencore moving in on Prairie agriculture. But there’s been a quiet evolution taking place beneath the radar that has turned into a competitive force on the Prairie farm supply scene. The same day earlier this […] Read more
Editorial: CCIA procrastination is setting industry back
Reading Time: 3 minutes In our last edition, AF contributor Madeleine Baerg reported on the status of UHF (ultra-high-frequency) RFID ear tags for the cattle industry. She noted ongoing research by facilities such as SAIT are clearly showing the superior readability and reliability of this ear tag technology compared to the low-frequency (LF) ear tags in use today. This […] Read more
Editorial: Conference a great forum for young ag people
Reading Time: 2 minutes Some of us on the verge of retirement wonder at times who will be taking over the reins of leadership of ag organizations, ag academia, the ag government bureaucracy, and the industry in general. It’s a real concern as the never-ending efficiencies in ag production mean fewer and fewer people are needed to produce more […] Read more
Not all beekeepers calling for a ban on neonicotinoid seed treatments
Reading Time: 3 minutes Recent media articles seem to suggest all beekeepers are calling for a ban on neonicatoid seed treatments and that is far from the truth. While two of our member associations (the Ontario Beekeeper Association and the Federation des Apicultuers du Quebec) have publicly asked their respective governments to ban neonicatoid seed treatments, this strategy has […] Read more
Editorial: Farm worker issue seems stalled as government procrastinates
Reading Time: 4 minutes It’s an ongoing issue in the Alberta ag industry, but the declaration of August 20 by the Alberta Federation of Labour as “Alberta Farm Worker Day,” brought it back into the news. I refer to the lack of mandatory Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) standards and programs for those working […] Read more
An outright ban on neonicotinoids would be reckless and costly
Regions that use no neonicotinoids are experiencing major bee losses while others that make widespread use of the treatment have healthy, thriving bee populations
Reading Time: 3 minutes Bee health has been the subject of much media attention over the last year — and rightly so. Bees are a critical part of the agricultural system and largely responsible for one in every three bites of food we eat. There are few who are more concerned about this issue than the manufacturers of pest […] Read moreEditorial: Flood mitigation should be simple — except for procrastination
Reading Time: 2 minutes Just as the floods receded in southern Alberta, and right on schedule, various politicians earnestly declared that steps will be taken to avoid this problem in the future. To show their determination to take action — myriad committees, task forces, expert panels, senior officials and other suspects have been ordered into motion to come up […] Read more
Editorial: An enjoyable glimpse at a dying art — in North America
Reading Time: 3 minutes The recently held World Ploughing Match in Olds perhaps highlighted the growing gap in world agricultural production. That gap is starkly evident in western North America where king-size, commercial agriculture continues to expand. At the Olds College event, competitors from over 50 countries were using modest, mid-size tractors pulling two- or three-bottom plows. That size […] Read more
Protect JBS Feedlot workers
Reading Time: < 1 minute The recent JBS plant tour in Brooks made for high hopes when opposition Liberal MLA Dr. Swann and I took the tour. JBS stated they are better because they do better, they strive and intend to exceed the standards that apply in all aspects of their operations at all times. On that note I asked […] Read more
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