“We’re not happy about this.” – andrew dickson, mpc Manitoba livestock producers say a $71 million hog and cattle support program announced last week not only gives Saskatchewan producers an unfair advantage, it could lead to trade retaliation from the United States. “There’s a very real possibility,” said Andrew Dickson, Manitoba Pork Council general manager.
Saskatchewan Program Worries Manitoba Livestock Producers
More Sugar In The Hay, More Milk From The Cow
“We would recommend they think about cutting late in the day, around 6 p. m.” – ROBERT BERTHIAUME, AAFC The person who sang “Make hay while the sun shines” had the time of day wrong. Dairy cows perform better eating alfalfa cut later in the day rather than early in the morning, researchers at Agriculture
Cattle Going To Alberta Need Age Verification
Manitoba cattle producers are being told to swallow their resentment and follow new livestock guidelines set in Alberta if they want to sell calves there. That includes age verifying animals as required by a new Alberta meat and livestock strategy. The $356 million program announced last year requires a mandatory traceability system for livestock in
Manitobans’ Grain Research Earns Major Award
“It’s a reflection of the excellence we have in Canada.” – ISABELLE BLAIN, NSERC For the second time in three years, Manitobans have received one of Canada’s most prestigious prizes for scientific research. Digvar Jayas, a University of Manitoba agricultural engineer, and Noel White, an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada entomologist, have been awarded the 2008
CCA Demands WTO Challenge To COOL Restarted
“This creates a whole new uncertainty.” – TRAVIS TOEWS, CCA Canada’s agriculture minister said Feb. 25 he sees no reason at this time to revive a trade challenge against the United States based on an early assessment of its application of new meat-labelling rules. “Right now, they’ve gone with what we’re asking for,” Gerry Ritz
La Niña Might Mean Good Crop This Year
The weather outlook for the 2009 growing season: normal temperatures and precipitation for most of the Prairies. Maybe. A weakening La Nińa effect could mean stable weather over much of the North American grain belt between June and August, with good crops possible, according to Mike Tannura, an American weather analyst. Four of Canada’s five
NFU Denies Suggested Link With R-CALF
“That characterization is misleading farmers and distracting farmers away from the real issues confronting cattle producers.” – STEWART WELLS, NFU PRESIDENT The National Farmers Union has reacted furiously to media suggestions it may be in bed with a longtime nemesis of the Canadian cattle industry. Kevin Hursh, a Saskatchewan agricultural commentator, last week accused the
Grain Prices Uncertain Amid Global Economic Turmoil
Bewildered farmers may well be wondering what caused the global financial crisis and what the future holds for commodity prices. Analysts discussing the topic at this week’s GrainWorld conference in Winnipeg couldn’t offer much by way of answers. While the world faces a big recession with no quick recovery, the feeling was grain prices will
Dairy Cow Dances To A Different Tune
“It’ll identify for consumers those products that are Canadian and those that aren’t.” – IAN MACDONALD, DFC The dancing white cow with the blue maple leaf that has graced Canadian dairy products for over a decade is getting a new image. A $5 million promotional campaign by Dairy Farmers of Canada will replace the old
Company To Provide Hog-Marketing Services
Manitoba pork producers are predicting a brave new world for interprovincial trade with the formation of a hog-marketing venture with Saskatchewan. Manitoba Pork Marketing Co-op and SPI Marketing Group have formed a company to act as a service centre for producers in both provinces. The new company called h@ ms (hog administrative marketing services) is
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