Cargill has announced it has begun the process to temporarily idle its Guelph protein processing facility, due to "community-wide" impacts of COVID-19. The plant will close end of day December 17 for an undisclosed amount of time. Currently, the plant has had 68 employees test positive for the virus out of 1,000 employees. A spokesperson... Read More
Category: Cattle
The Beef Farmers of Ontario is setting out its commitment to diversity and inclusion in its industry. In an announcement on its website, Beef Farmers of Ontario says the Ontario beef industry is an ally against discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, and ability (visible and invisible), as well as linguistic discrimination. "We... Read More
The Ontario Corn Fed Beef Quality Assurance Program has been approved as the certification body Certified Sustainable Beef Framework’s Sustainable Beef Production Standard for beef feedlot operations in Ontario. The standard, under the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB), will be an additional offering of quality assurance programs certified by Ontario Corn Fed Beef, streamlining... Read More
It's been a mild December so far across the country, and although we will need some more moisture on the ground before the spring, most are sure enjoying it right now. Anne Wasko of the Gateway Livestock Exchange couldn't agree more. And although the weather may be making us happy, the cattle market has been... Read More
Since the spring, packing plants and their workers have been under the microscope in dealing with COVID-19. Early on, plants scrambled to get ahead of the virus while workers attempted to follow new protocols to keep themselves safe. The Canadian Meat Council, which represents federally licensed meat packers and processors, is now asking for essential... Read More
Sixty-inch spacing for corn is sure not for everyone, but the math and soil conservation rewards can work for farmers who have limited rotations and can benefit from extended grazing for livestock on well-established cover crops. That's Sunderland, Ontario, farmer Ed Hanson's takeaway from the first year of growing corn in 60-inch rows on his... Read More
While provincial agriculture minsters are reviewing Ag Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau's business risk management proposal, the Canadian beef industry sees potential in the offer. The beef industry has been pushing for removal of the reference margin, changes to the trigger/compensation percentages, and raising the payment cap limit. The proposed deal includes some — but not all... Read More
Alberta's provincial health authority is bringing attention to an increasing trend of COVID-19 cases linked with feedlot operations in southern Alberta. Although many feedyards have implemented protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 — similar to the rest of province — the industry is struggling to contain the spread of the virus. To date, five... Read More
It's U.S. Thanksgiving week, and it felt like a bit of an odd week with the markets being closed on Thursday and partially open on Friday. However, never fear — we've still got the Beef Market Update for you! Anne Wasko of the Gateway Livestock Exchange says that because of the holiday, the U.S. did... Read More
How has the protein supply chain changed in the last while, and how has COVID-19 changed things from March until now? What economic principles drive those price fluctuations that you might see in the grocery store? And why aren't there more federally inspected processing plants? It's time to talk livestock processing capacity challenges and opportunities... Read More