“It’s going to affect everybody.” – DOUG DOBROWOLSKI, AMM Ahigh-stakes showdown between Greyhound Canada and the Manitoba government continues amid threats by the carrier to shut down its bus service in the province completely. Provincial officials were scheduled to meet with Greyhound this week to discuss the company’s demands for a $15-million bailout to help
Manitoba Faces Major Transport Loss
Cattle Producers Call For Price Insurance Coverage
“This is an area where we’ve been short every time.” – MARTIN UNRAU, MCPA Canada’s free-enterprise cattle producers have taken a radical step in risk management by asking for a government-run price insurance program. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association recently called for a national cattle price and basis insurance program to guard against drastic dips in
Ottawa Won’t Budge On Traceability Deadline
The Canadian government will not change its 2011 target date for mandatory cattle traceability, even though producers say it’s not achievable. “If we don’t have a target, it’ll never happen,” Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz told the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association national convention here. “The date is there. It is solid. We’re firm on it. We’re looking
Market Access Secretariat Ready
“There haven’t been the resources available to go and attack the world.” – TED HANEY, CBEF Anewly created federal agency to develop new foreign markets for Canadian agricultural products should be fully operational by September 30. The Agricultural Market Access Secretariat (AMAS) expects to have staff hired by September 15 amid high expectations for new
Out-Of-Court Settlement Possible In Canada-Korea Beef Dispute
Canada may be able to settle a beef trade dispute with Korea privately, even as the case heads toward a World Trade Organization dispute panel. Korea knows it will probably lose the case and is looking for a way out, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association heard last week. “It seems to me that there is some
Hog Aid Package Lacks Detail
Hog farmers are reacting cautiously to a government aid package that promises to help their struggling industry but is short on detail. The three-pronged program includes strategies for producers to leave the industry, long-term government-guaranteed loans to help others continue, and a market development program for pork exports. Producers wonder exactly how the program will
UFCW Union At Portage Farm Decertified
Canada’s first-ever union for seasonal agricultural workers has disbanded only two years after it was formed. The Manitoba Labour Board has approved an application by Mexican field labourers at Mayfair Farm in Portage la Prairie to have their union decertified. In a July 9 ruling, the board revoked Local 832 of the United Food and
Beef Imports To Exceed Quotas
A strong demand for ground beef, driven partly by the recession, may cause Canada to exceed its non-NAFTA beef import quotas this year for the first time since 2003. Canadians are eating more hamburger and less prime rib because of the economic downturn. Add to that a sharp reduction in the national beef cow herd
Alberta Checkoff Change Could Affect CCA’s Finances
Canada’s national beef lobby group could experience a major financial setback following Alberta’s elimination of a non-refundable provincial checkoff on cattle sales. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association is asking its provincial members for possible ideas on reducing programs because of a potential revenue shortfall stemming from the Alberta checkoff change. The Alberta government earlier this year
New Crop For Local Brewers May Be Possible
Crack open a cold one and hold it under your nose. Now take a deep slurp. The aroma you smell and the bitterness you taste come from hops, a flavouring and stabilizing ingredient used in beer making. Right now, all the hops used by breweries in Manitoba is imported. But in a few years, with
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
