The USDA released its latest cattle on feed report for December 1, 2019. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totalled 12 million head, that's up 2% year-over-year. Placements in feedlots during November totalled 2.09 million head, 5 per cent... Read More
Category: Livestock
Like most years in the cattle business, 2019 brought highs and lows that will be remembered and some points we'd rather forget. From high packer margins, to uncertain feed costs, to strong demand, this year brought many challenges and opportunities for ranchers and feeders. It's time though to put 2019 behind us and look ahead... Read More
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has implemented a "transition period" for the feed, water, and rest requirements for all livestock sectors, in addition to the previously announced grace period extended to beef and dairy animals. CFIA says it will use the first two years of the new regulation period, beginning February 2020, to "focus... Read More
An Alberta rancher has been chosen as McDonald's Canada first-ever Canadian representative of its global breeders and model farmers program. Stephen Hughes of Chinook Ranch, will join 33 other producers, breeders, farmers, and growers from 17 different countries as part of the company's global program. According to a news release, the members represent eight different... Read More
Dairy calves experience many challenges in early life, and producers need to be diligent in the hours and days after birth to ensure calf health and reduce mortality. Overall, research shows that eight percent of calves die within 48 hours of birth — this includes those born dead or those that die within the first... Read More
Ontario has introduced its draft legislation to increase security on farms — the Security From Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2019. The focus, certainly, is on the biosecurity and food risk associated with non-authorized people traipsing through farms and interfering with animals on their way to slaughter. The act, likely to be passed in... Read More
Full details are still in the works, but it appears that the cattle industry — dairy included — will get a two-year delay on enforcement of new transport regulations set to come into force in early February. The federal minister of agriculture, Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced at a parliamentary reception this week that the grace period... Read More
Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Limited has confirmed its acquisition of Thornloe Cheese from EastGen. Located in Northern Ontario, Thornloe Cheese has been a local producer of cheese and cheese curds near Thornloe, Ont., for over 75 years. Employing about 30 people, Thornloe is known for its speciality cheese and recently introduced the first butter and... Read More
Following months of decreased beef slaughter capacity in Ontario, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has cancelled Safe Food for Canadian licences for Ryding-Regency Meat Packers LTD., located at Toronto; Canadian Select Meats Inc. (operating under St. Ann's Foods Inc); and The Beef Boutique LTD, (operating under St. Ann's Foods Inc.). CFIA says the decision... Read More
It's been over two months since the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) suspended the license of a beef slaughter and processing plant in Ontario, and the shutdown is taking a toll on the eastern Canadian beef industry. Toronto-based Ryding-Regency Meat Packers Ltd. saw the suspension of its Safe Food for Canadians license effective September 17,... Read More