Cattle Genetics Pioneer Passes Away
CANADA - Dr Roy Berg, the man who brought hybrid vigour to Alberta’s cow herds, passed away last week at the age of 85. Ranchers and others in the agriculture industry should take a moment to remember Dr Berg not only for his intelligence and hard work,...

COOL: Potential Trade Barrier of Choice
CANADA - A Canadian based international trade lawyer suggests Country of Origin Labelling has the potential to become one of the non-tariff barriers to trade if choice in the future, Bruce Cochrane writes.

Expanding Cattle Trade with Morocco, Middle East
CANADA - Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz completed a successful trade mission to Morocco in which he discussed the mutual benefits of a Canada-Morocco free trade agreement (FTA), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on agricultural co-operation...

Protecting Livestock from Schmallenberg Virus
CANADA - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is implementing new import measures to help protect Canadian livestock from the Schmallenberg virus, a recently discovered virus currently present in Europe.

Canada's Food System Sustainability Challenged
CANADA - A report released by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has criticised intensive livestock operations for their use of antibiotics, effect on the environment and rural communities, poor welfare and cost to the taxpayer.

DNA Traceability to Improve Food Safety
CANADA - DNA technology promises to make food traceability more precise and reliable and boost consumer confidence, according an industry executive.

Improving Food Safety Recalls
CANADA - Groundbreaking Canadian research into improving food safety recalls has implications for both the agriculture industry and the research community.

Cost-Effective Feed Critical to Livestock Production
CANADA - The director of research and business development with the Canadian International Grains Institute says the ability to provide consistent cost-effective feed is critical to the success of a livestock operation, Bruce Cochrane writes.

Bull Evaluation Research Yields Promising Results
CANADA - A sire evaluation project is yielding promising results for beef producers who want to improve their herds.

Canada & Manitoba Partner to Protect Animal Health
CANADA - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) have announced an information-sharing agreement that will strengthen food safety and animal health management in Manitoba and across the ...

Improving Economics on Alberta Ranches
CANADA - Still with livestock, Alberta Agriculture is midway through a sire verification programme that uses a DNA verification system from IdentiGen Canada Ltd. to improve the economics of Alberta ranches.

Canada Looks to Secure Trade
CANADA - This week, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz spoke at an international meeting of industry and government officials working to make sure consumers have more dependable access to food and that farmers have predictable, science-based trade.

Ground Beef Re-Call Company Bankrupt
CANADA - New Food Classics, one of the companies who is involved with Canada's meat recall applied for bankruptcy back in January.

Multi Sire Verification Project
CANADA - Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development is midway through a sire verification program that uses a DNA verification system from IdentiGen Canada Ltd. to improve the economics of Alberta ranches. This project received funding through the Business...

Canada Looks to Strengthen Livestock Traceability
CANADA - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has called for feedback on proposed changes to the Health of Animals Act intended to strengthen livestock and poultry traceability in Canada.

Canada Recalls Seven Months Worth of Frozen Beef
CANADA - Earlier this week, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a warning to consumers, distributors, retailers and restaurants not eat, use, serve or sell any ground beef products produced at Establishment 761 between July 1, 2011 and February...

Canada Welcomes US BSE Rules
US - The Government of Canada welcomes the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposal to modernise its import regulations for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The proposed changes are based on World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)...

Stabilisation in Beef Sector & Modest Growth in Pork
CANADA - There are no significant changes forecasted, with the first signs of stabilization in place for the cattle sector and an expected modest growth in the hog sector. Cattle exports will remain dependant on feed price differential and sustained demand....

Further Support for the Beef Industry
CANADA - An additional investment of C$3 million has been made to the Canadian cattle industry to help improve their profitability and competitiveness.

Technology Offers Barley Digestible Energy Analysis
CANADA - A new Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy calibration is providing barley growers and their customers a quick and accurate analysis of the digestible energy content of barley.

Canadian Cattle Gain Market Access to Azerbaijan
CANADA - Canadian cattle producers will benefit from new access to yet another international market. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and International Trade Minister Ed Fast announced that Azerbaijan has agreed to export conditions to allow Canadian cattle...

Maple Leaf Sees Earnings Rise
CANADA - Maple Leaf Foods Inc saw full year net earnings reach C$87.3 million compared to C$35.6 million last year.

Government Helps to Advance Beef Industry
CANADA - British Columbia beef producers will benefit from an investment in three projects that will increase the industry’s profitability through consumer education and improved market information.

Canada Looks Set for Strong 2012
ANALYSIS - Canadian beef producers look set to have a prosperous 2012, with cow numbers increasing, export opportunities expanding and strong optimism in the industry, writes TheCattleSite editor, Charlotte Johnston.

'Defining the Future' Takes Focus at Conference
CANADA - Showing leadership in farm animal care has emerged as a defining issue that will determine the future competitiveness and market success of livestock industries around the globe.

Canadian Cattle Inventory Up with Improved Prices
CANADA - Canadian cattle farmers had just over 12.5 million cattle on their farms as of 1 January, 2012, up 0.5 per cent from the same date a year earlier; the first year-over-year increase in seven years.

CME: Beef Cows down 1% in January from Last Year
CANADA - Canadian cattle supplies have been shrinking since 2005 and, in the short term beef supplies will likely be even tighter as producers try to hold back heifers and rebuild the herd, write Steve Meyer and Len Steiner.

Market Access to Peru for Canadian Cattle Industry
CANADA and PERU - Canadian cattle ranchers and dairy farmers will now benefit from immediate access to the growing Peruvian market, after the Andean nation re-opened its doors to Canadian cattle imports, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced.