U. S. plants are “very cagey.” – FLORIAN POSSBERG, CPC A Wo r l d Trade Organization challenge to U. S. country-of-origin labelling is virtually certain and recent remarks by U. S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack may have speeded it up, industry insiders say. A letter from Vilsack to U. S. meat processors in January
COOL Challenge Could Come Soon: CPC
Manitoba Pork Producers Ease Toward Sow Stall Ban
“We think this is something we can’t ignore.” – MIKE TEILLET, MPC The Manitoba Pork Council may be edging toward supporting the eventual elimination of gestation crates for pregnant sows. A proposed policy statement in a sustainable development strategy being developed by the council calls for more research on, and a possible switch to, alternative
Differential Growth Mooted For Chicken Allocations
“We’re trying to find a sweet spot to address everybody.” – MIKE DUNGATE, CFC An old chicken industry nemesis about allocating production to provinces is re-emerging in a different form. Chicken Farmers of Canada is under pressure to develop a system allowing different provinces to increase their production at different growth rates. The CFC board
Manitoba Hog Producers Continue In Survival Mode
“We’ll make it through again.” – KARL KYNOCH, MPC There’s a long pause after Marg Rempel is asked how she managed to get through the last 12 months as a hog farmer. “I’m not even sure how to answer that question,” she finally says. Rempel is a survivor of what Manitoba hog producers like to
McDonald’s May Reduce Potato Pesticides
“We just hope there are people who understand all aspects of it.” – GARY SLOIK, KEYSTONE POTATO PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION Amove by the fast-food restaurant company McDonald’s to reduce pesticide use on potatoes for french fries could have serious implications for Manitoba potato growers. Potatoes are such a high-demand crop for pesticides that reducing their use
Devastating New Stem Rust Advances Beyond Africa
“It’s probably not a matter of if but when.” –TOM FETCH, AAFC “Behold, seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, healthy and good. And behold, seven heads of grain, thin and blasted with the east wind, sprang up after them. And the thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy and full
Non-BRM Agreement May Help With Manure Storages
Manitoba hog producers required to expand their manure storage facilities could get some financial help from a federal-provincial agreement signed last week. The $117.5 million Growing Forward agreement between Manitoba and Ottawa includes $18.8 million for eligible beneficial management practices (BMPs) involving water and nutrient management. That should include manure storages, although the available money
Pork Producers Mull Ethanol And COOL Offset Subsidies
The Canadian Pork Council may ask Ottawa to reimburse hog producers for financial hurt caused by U. S. ethanol subsidies and country-of-origin labelling. The idea emerged from a CPC brainstorming session on how to help the country’s beleaguered producers. The CPC is looking for short-and long-term strategies to help hog farmers through their worst financial
Red Meat Boosts Cancer Risk: Study
“I don’t think it paints a picture of what is generally happening with consumers’ dietary habits.” – RON GLASER, BIC Battered by low incomes, trade challenges and other woes, Canadian livestock producers’ latest problem is a new study which says eating red meat can shorten your life. The U. S. study tracked half a million
Southwestern Cattle Producers Demand Drought Aid
“A disaster is a disaster.” – LARRY MAGUIRE, MLA Last year, flooded Interlake farmers who couldn’t harvest hay complained they were on an unequal footing with drought-stricken producers in southwestern Manitoba. Now cattle producers in the southwest region say they should get the same government assistance as their Interlake colleagues received last month because they’re
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
