Under the agreement, which went into effect June 1, the U.S. will accept electronically signed certificates (i.e. certificates that are requested and issued via My CFIA) for the import of live cattle and bison at all U.S. ports of entry.

The agreement comes after a pilot program in Manitoba last winter.

For more info or to enrol, go to inspection.gc.ca/mycfia.

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The Canadian Beef Grading Agency says the move will allow alignment with the country’s largest export market for cattle and beef, and also provide enhanced distinction between higher- and lower-yielding carcasses.

That will provide the opportunity for improved targeted finishing practices, it said. Testing and validation of the five-yield class standard, which comes into effect on Jan. 15, is virtually complete, the agency said.

For more information, go to the Canadian Beef Grading Agency website.

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“On dockage alone, producers have reported from one to over three per cent differences in dockage on the same sample of their canola,” said Neil Blue. “These differences were reported both in cases of comparing one buyer to another and also in challenging a dockage assessment by using the services of the Canadian Grain Commission.”

If a producer is not satisfied with grade or dockage assessed by a buyer, he or she can request a sample of the load be sent to the grain commission for assessment.

“Payment for that load will then be subject to the result from the Canadian Grain Commission inspector,” said Blue.

The commission’s Grain Grading Guide (search for ‘grading guide’ at www.grainscanada.gc.ca) describes the method, aspirator settings, and screens to be considered for use in grading canola. The website also has forms for challenging the grade or dockage. The fee for an assessment is about $50 plus mailing costs.

The unusually large amount of spring-harvested canola also is raising concerns about grading.

There is “a large variation in the way buyers are perceiving that quality,” said Blue.

One of the determinants of canola quality is seed damage, assessed by observing the result of crushing canola seeds with a roller.

“Producers are familiar with a common form of damage, that being distinctly green seeds,” said Blue. “However, some canola seeds overwintered in the fields incurred damage in the form of inside seed colour change from a bright yellow to darker yellow to tan or brown colour. Like the assessment of green seed count, the assessment of other damage is subjective, based on the judgment of the grader.”

Strong demand and a relatively tight supply of canola mean the outside appearance of the canola seed has had little influence on the grading this year, he added.

“Because of this, you should shop your samples around widely, preferably after obtaining a grade on a representative sample from an objective source, such as the Canadian Grain Commission.”

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“World soybean production has been higher than its consumption over the last three years so carry-overs will continue to increase and this state will continue to put pressure on prices,” said Pearson.

Although the numbers are preliminary and will change, USDA forecasts are important and impact market conditions, said Pearson.

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