A seasoned trade negotiator says trade agreements will do a lot to open markets for Canadian beef, but once they’re open, a second ingredient is needed — customer demand. “Despite all the constraints and problems there may be, the future for Canadian agriculture and for Canadian meat production and beef production, I think is really very
Time is right for free trade agreement push
Super-size surveys show consumer landscape is changing
McDonald’s is an iconic brand which has transcended its all-American heritage to become the world’s most renowned fast-food brand leader. Yet to stay at the top, McDonald’s must change some of the same practices that got it there, says a senior company official. “As the face of Canada truly changes, so does its eating habits,”
Battle of the beta-agonists
One of North America’s largest beef buyers is telling feeders that it wants a little more fat and a little less lean, and is delivering a not-so-subtle hint on their choice of growth promotants to achieve it. “Maximizing performance and efficiencies pre-harvest at the expense of beef taste and tenderness concerns us — it’s not
Montana hog plant envisioned near Alta. border
Montana pork producers are taking a wait-and-see approach in regard to a new pork-processing plant at Shelby that could draw large numbers of Canadian hogs. Governor Brian Schweitzer announced in February that Chinese investors were interested in developing a facility capable of processing 800,000 pigs. But additional details are scarce. "At this point there’s no
Montana hog plant envisioned near border
Montana pork producers are taking a wait-and-see approach in regard to a new pork-processing plant at Shelby that could draw large numbers of Canadian hogs. Governor Brian Schweitzer announced in February that Chinese investors were interested in developing a facility capable of processing 800,000 pigs. But additional details are scarce. “At this point there’s no
Cattle business in 2012 will see higher prices, consolidation
The good news: higher cattle prices. The bad news: fewer producers to take advantage of them. Speaking to the annual Tiffin Conference at Lethbridge College last month, veteran cattle-market analyst Anne Dunford reviewed some of the record cattle prices in 2011 and predicted even higher for 2012. But she pointed out that those prices are
Bridging The Rural-Urban Culture Gap
If rural and urban Canada were a married couple, they d have moved to separate bedrooms decades ago. That frigid disconnect is one of the problems sustainable, grassroots Canadian agriculture faces in the immediate future. Maybe I m old-fashioned, but I ve made it a priority to support Canadian producers and manufacturers whenever possible. I
SunGold Slashes Workforce But Plans To Build Its Lamb Business
FBC STAFF / INNISFAIL Adecision to pull out of the exporterunfriendly European beef market has resul ted in 75 layoffs at Innisfail s SunGold Specialty Meats Ltd. That s unfortunately a very painful process, said Howard Oudman, the plant s general manager. It s painful for the owners, but it s even more painful for
Meat packer SunGold lays off 75 staff
A decision to pull out of the exporter-unfriendly European beef market has resulted in 75 layoffs at Alberta processor SunGold Specialty Meats. “That’s unfortunately a very painful process,” said Howard Oudman, general manager of the plant at Innisfail, about 30 km south of Red Deer. “It’s painful for the owners, but it’s even more painful
Cattle producers move to set up charitable foundation
Members of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) have given the green light for the formation of an arm’s-length charitable foundation. “It’s a means for people to put money towards the industry. It provides a tool for people who want to put something back into the industry to be able to do it with a tax
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
