Reading Time: 4 minutes It was a response to a crisis that threatened to overwhelm Alberta’s cattle sector — but seven months later the cattle set-aside program has come to an end. And it’s clear it’s been a success, says the chair of the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association. “I think the program did its job,” said Greg Schmidt, an […] Read more
Disaster averted: Cattle set-aside does its job
'It could have been worse, a lot worse,’ says feeder association chair
In the fast-evolving field of vaccines, Prairie lab is at the cutting edge
VIDO is known for its work in animal health, but it’s developing a COVID-19 vaccine and a production facility
Reading Time: 3 minutes At a time when the entire world has never been more focused on vaccine development, one of Canada’s leading researchers in the field had some positive words on the subject for delegates to the 2021 Banff Pork Seminar. In his presentation, Volker Gerdts pointed to the mRNA technology used to develop the first two COVID-19 […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME hogs touch contract high for third day
Cattle futures up with beef exports
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. lean hog futures climbed on Thursday, setting a contract high for the third consecutive day on firm Chinese demand, traders said. Weekly U.S. pork export sales to China, the world’s top pork consumer, reached a three-month high of 17,873 tonnes in the week ended Jan. 28, according to the U.S. […] Read more
Manitoba crop conference recovers allegedly phished funds
Court order frees event organizers' money from frozen account
The organizers of one of the last big Prairie farm events held before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic have recovered funds temporarily lost to an alleged phishing scam. The CropConnect Conference — an annual crop production and farm management conference co-organized by Manitoba grain, oilseed and pulse grower groups — has received back almost […] Read more
A tough year could usher in a brighter future for the bison sector
The pandemic was a big hit for bison producers but it’s also opened up new opportunities
Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s been a tough 10 months, but there are promising new opportunities ahead for bison producers, says the organization that represents them. “There are stormy waters at the present time, but the long-term future for the bison industry is very bright,” said Terry Kremeniuk, executive director of the Canadian Bison Association. “The pandemic and a […] Read more
Kraft Heinz reported in talks to sell Planters snack business
Pandemic-based surge in snack demand wanes
Reuters — Kraft Heinz is in talks to sell its Planters snack business to Skippy peanut butter maker Hormel Foods for about US$3 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The deal could be announced as soon as next week if talks do not fall apart, the Journal […] Read more
Opportunities await in the post-pandemic world
Interest in local food, pent-up consumer demand, and Canada’s reputation are strong pluses
Reading Time: 3 minutes Things may seem bleak now, but there are silver linings in those dark clouds, says Farm Credit Canada’s chief ag economist. “In a lot of ways, things are different than they were 12 months ago,” said J.P. Gervais. One is that consumers are more interested in local and specialty foods, and knowing where those foods […] Read more
South Africa’s barley growers face bleak outlook on alcohol ban
Ban reinstated against COVID-19 surge
Johannesburg | Reuters — South African barley farmers are bracing for a tough market ahead as demand for the grain used to make beer falls and stockpiles grow after a ban on the sale of alcohol was reinstated as the country battles a surge in COVID-19 cases. The government in December enforced its third ban […] Read more
Denmark to compensate mink farmers after nationwide cull
Copenhagen | Reuters — Denmark, the top exporter of mink furs, will compensate its mink farmers with up to 19 billion Danish crowns (C$3.95 billion) following an order last year to cull the country’s entire population. Denmark’s entire herd of some 17 million mink, one of the world’s biggest and highly valued for the quality […] Read more
Ontario backs ‘horse experience’ businesses for horse upkeep
Trail ride operations, riding schools, others eligible
Ontario horses whose jobs with riding schools, camps and trail rides were lost or cut back during the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for funding toward their upkeep. The province on Thursday announced a $3 million equine hardship program would launch starting Monday (Jan. 18) help “horse experience” businesses cover animal maintenance costs. The program […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
