The Western Livestock Price Insurance Program’s (WLPIP) calf coverage deadline is May 28, 2015. WLPIP is a risk management program, allowing producers to pay a premium for forward price coverage. Should market price fall below their coverage level for their time frame, the producer will receive a payment. It all sounds pretty straightforward, but deciding... Read More
Category: Cattle
The World Trade Organization has once again sided with Canada and Mexico, as the WTO Appellate Body published a fourth and final ruling on U.S. country of origin labeling rules today. The appeal panel decision affirmed earlier rulings saying COOL illegally discriminates against foreign livestock (read the report and findings here). “The United States has... Read More
This week, I had the distinct pleasure of joining a small group of range enthusiasts for a ranch tour in central Alberta. I wasn't sure what to expect, besides a scorching sun and gale-force winds. But the afternoon ended up being so much more than an excuse to step away from my laptop. It was... Read More
In the last couple of weeks, there have been many impassioned pleas from producers asking consumers to avoid McDonald's for no reason other than an alleged change of source for their 100% Canadian beef patties. The pleas suggest the company will be moving to products sourced from South America, not now, but in the near... Read More
A fourth and final decision from the World Trade Organization on U.S. mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) rules will be announced in the next few days. The WTO has said its decision on the Americans' latest appeal to maintain COOL will be shared with members no later than May 18th. Another ruling in Canada... Read More
Cattle producers will have access to significantly higher borrowing limits under an enhanced Manitoba Livestock Associations Loan Guarantee (MLALG) program, according to Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development minster, Ron Kostyshyn. The borrowing limit for the MLALG program has increased to up to $8 million from $5 million for associations and up to $500,000 from... Read More
The Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association today announced that Ryder Lee will take the role of Chief Executive Officer. Lee (@ryder_lee) has lived and worked in Ottawa for the Canadian Cattlemen's Association since 2005, where he focused on animal care and domestic agriculture policy. He was also a driving force behind the renewal process of the Canadian... Read More
Canadian Western Agribition (CWA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Beef Australia. The MOU outlines the opportunity for the two parties to "cooperate in international marketing and promotion, as well as exchange best practices in the areas of livestock management and event planning," according to a CWA press release. Signed May 6th in... Read More
The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) has introduced a new award to recognize outstanding researchers and their contribution to the competitiveness and sustainability of the Canadian beef industry. The Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation will honour scientists and academics that are actively involved in strong research programs aligned with industry priorities,... Read More
The sun is shining, the grass has turned green and the temptation to turn cattle out to pasture is strong at this time of year. Spring grazing is often the weakest link in the grazing system on cow-calf operations, says Jane Thornton, pasture and rangeland specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, noting decisions made in spring can... Read More