Cervid (elk and other deer) products have been used and prized in China for at least 2,700 years. That makes China a very valuable marketplace for cervid products. Indeed, it was a good market until Canada and the U.S. took action to contain and eradicate BSE in early 2003. China immediately closed its markets to […]
Regaining access to China markets
Tainted food scandals have convinced Chinese buyers that imports are safer
The rooster’s wake-up call
Anyone who has lived on or near a farmyard with chickens is well aware of the rooster’s ability to trumpet the arrival of morning long before the sun peeks over the horizon. But roosters have been delivering a wake-up call of a different sort lately — sounding the alarm over the risks inherent with the […]
China food scandal drags in Starbucks, Burger King and McDonalds — July 22, 2014
Shanghai/Reuters — The latest food scandal in China is spreading fast, dragging in U.S. coffee chain Starbucks , Burger King Worldwide Inc and others, as well as McDonald’s products as far away as Japan. McDonald’s Corp and KFC’s parent Yum Brands Inc apologized to Chinese customers on Monday after it emerged that Shanghai Husi Food […]
LIVESTOCK: Beef price surge extends CME live cattle advances — July 21, 2014
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures gained for a third straight session, fuelled by sharply higher wholesale beef prices, traders said. August live cattle finished 1.325 cents per lb higher at 152.950 cents, and October 0.925 cent higher at 155.250. Monday morning’s wholesale price for choice beef jumped $2.02 per cwt from Friday to $250.47. […]
Infertile roosters increase shortage in U.S. chicken supplies
Canadian hatcheries depend on U.S. imports but have been unaffected to date
A genetic problem in a key breed of U.S. rooster could affect Canada’s broiler chicken industry, which imports nearly all its parent breeding stock from south of the border. The U.S. is already experiencing a shortage of breeder birds and the genetic issue could make supplies even tighter, American officials say. If that happens, it […]
Community comes together to save rare chickens
Poultry centre now providing community with farm fresh eggs and heritage chicks
An outpouring of community support has saved a rare — and potentially priceless — collection of heritage chickens. “It’s amazing how much the general population wants to support the chickens and how much they understand about genetic preservation,” said Agnes Kulinski, business director of the University of Alberta’s Poultry Research Centre. Two years ago, when […]
Klassen: Strong domestic demand to curb feeder cattle exports — July 21, 2014
Fed cattle prices in Alberta reached record highs last week trading the range of $164/cwt to $165/cwt. Feedlot margins surged into positive territory, once again reinforcing the price structure for feeder cattle. It appears the fed cattle market is incorporating a risk premium due to the uncertainty in production. For the week ending July 18, […]
Beef producers: reading this may lower your blood pressure — July 18, 2014
Penn State University researchers say that contrary to conventional wisdom, a growing body of evidence shows that eating lean beef can reduce risk factors for heart disease. “This research adds to the significant evidence, including work previously done in our lab, that supports lean beef’s role in a heart-healthy diet,” Penny M. Kris-Etherton, distinguished professor […]
Pork council stung by province’s stance on hog barn expansion
The Manitoba Pork Council is shocked and disappointed by Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh’s stance on hog barn expansion
The Manitoba government is playing politics when it comes to hog barns, says the Manitoba Pork Council. Reacting to a letter from Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh and published in the Manitoba Co-operator, council chairman Karl Kynoch said he was extremely disappointed by the minister’s position on hog barn expansion and alternative manure-handling […]
Mink Producers granted more time to repay cash advances — July 17, 2014
Canada’s 233 mink farmers have been granted more time to repay cash advances under the Advance Payments Program (APP). They now have until June 1, 2015 to repay their 2013 advance in full. An Agriculture Canada release said the price of mink fur has dropped significantly this past year and mink producers may be unable […]