There has been many challenges that have faced the Australian beef industry in recent years, from floods and drought, record high currency, political challenges and global economic slowdown. However, despite all these issues, Australia's beef export footprint has expanded into developing nations, helping to offset the slowness into traditional markets. Shaun Haney was at the... Read More
Category: Livestock
The business of food retailing is undergoing significant changes. There is significant consolidation happening, new entrants like Whole Foods, the growth of WalMart and all of this is happening while the consumer market is not growing overall. Just like farming technology is allowing food retailers to lower costs and gain more insight into its operations... Read More
If you have no idea what to get the rancher in your life, you're not alone. And if your rancher has been dealing with all kinds of snow and winter stress already, it's very likely that whatever you decide to buy/make for the holidays will be set aside for at least twelve months. After the... Read More
Canada's beef production system is working at an improved feedback-mechanism to cow-calf producers on carcass quality traits. Why? Because, ultimately, it's the cow-calf producer making genetic pairings and selections, but it's the feedlot operators seeing the results and often receiving the feedback on carcass quality. As the Beef InfoXchange System (BIXS) 2.0 moves into place,... Read More
If you're a cattle producer in Western Canada, I expect you'll find an opportunity for a mid-winter change of scenery rather interesting. Although the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference organizers likely won't guarantee warm temperatures or a lack of snow, they are offering the chance to attend an industry tradeshow, breed and association meetings and the... Read More
For a year there has been a very interesting project in development called the Beef Straw Man which is trying to facilitate a Canadian beef industry strategy. The three straw men gathered 200 people into the Deerfoot Inn and Casino in Calgary on Tuesday to get more input, seek feedback and prepare for a final... Read More
At the Canfax Market Forum I was able to catch up with the Canadian Cattlemen Association President Martin Unrau to get an update on the recent activities of the CCA in the last year. Obviously mandatory country of origin labeling MCOOL and CETA have captured much of the time. If you cannot see the above... Read More
It would seem that American and Canadian cattle producers have a little hop in their step and a little more jingle in their pockets. Cattle prices are high and feed costs continue to shrink. Shaun Haney caught up with CattleFax analyst Duane Lenz at the CanFax Market Forum in Calgary to discuss the American cattle... Read More
Activists (some would say anarchists) seem to be routinely using the method of releasing shocking undercover videos that attempt to create the perception that all producers are using horrible practices. Whether it be the W5 Poultry video, Ohio Hog Farm Video or any other, this undercover scenario is something that not many producers would be... Read More
The Lancet Infectious Diseases published an editorial entitled Antibiotic resistance—the need for global solutions to mark Antibiotic Awareness Week (which is this week, FYI). The article is as long as the situation is complicated. With twenty-six contributors and nearly 400 references, it looks to address the concerns around antibiotic resistance, factors that cause resistance, and... Read More