One of the stipulations for funding the Beef InfoXchange System (BIXS), was that it one day become self-sustaining, and yesterday, the Canadian Cattlemen's Association announced a step in that direction in its partnering with ViewTrak Technologies. “Partnering with industry to expand BIXS’ reach and potential has always been our vision,” said Rob McNabb, General Manager... Read More

The Canadian agriculture sector is welcoming the ratification of the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement in both countries' Parliaments. After being approved by the Korean government this week, International Trade Minister Ed Fast announced Wednesday that the CKFTA will come into force on January 1st, 2015. As discussed previously on RealAg, the deal is expected to... Read More

Verified Beef Production (VBP) is a national on-farm food safety program which evolved from Quality Starts Here. It is based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points, with workshops to help producers through the verification process, from Standard Operating Procedures to on-farm assessments. In order to participate, producers are encouraged to contact their Provincial Delivery Agent.... Read More

Today, the United States officially lodged an appeal to the third and most recent World Trade Organization ruling on Country of Origin Labelling (COOL). Canadian Ministers are not pleased with the announced appeal. The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food issued the following statement... Read More

Calving seasons should be 63 days (3, 21-day cycles), with at least 60% of the calves born in the first 21 days, according to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. This helps calving cows stay on track, increases the size of calves at weaning (by up to 100 pounds from 1st to 3rd cycle) and improves... Read More

Dairy Farmers of Canada has announced the appointment of Caroline Emond as the agency's new executive director. Emond is a lawyer and lobbyist with over 20 years of experience in political and trade files in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. She worked for DFC from 1998 to 2006 as Assistant Director, International Trade and as... Read More

Ontario is proposing amendments to the Crop Insurance Act, 1996, that, if passed, would mean more types of agricultural products would be eligible for coverage by production insurance. Production insurance, a part of Ontario's business risk management programs, is designed to help farmers manage losses due to events like weather, pests and disease. The costs... Read More