After first choosing to reduce the daily slaughter capacity at its High River beef processing facility, Cargill has now suspended cattle kills completely, though temporarily. According to several sources familiar with the plant, Cargill will stop all slaughter shifts for the week of April 13, 2020, but will continue to process beef cuts. The plant... Read More
Category: News
There is considerable economic concern in Canada and the U.S. due to COVID-19, but for the agricultural equipment industry, economic concerns began months earlier. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers has released its March Flash Report, and it paints a poor first-quarter for agricultural equipment deliveries in Canada and the U.S. In Canada, (report below) AEM... Read More
During the NAFTA renegotiations, it was continually reinforced by Canada and the U.S. that the beef supply chain between the two countries is highly integrated. From a trade perspective many look at this as a positive, but that does mean we share in market risk. Early on Monday, April 13, RealAgriculture was notified by feedyards... Read More
After four years of dialogue, the members of Cereals Canada and the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) have approved the merger of their organizations into a single structure. The new organization will operate under the Cereals Canada banner, with a division continuing to carry the Cigi brand, which is well-known among international customers of Canadian... Read More
The Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) is calling on both the federal and Manitoba governments to adopt a "whole-of-government" approach to food security, which includes immediately adopting a strategic approach to emergency preparedness for the Canadian food supply chain. This request is in response to supply-chain disruptions due to COVID-19. It is crucial that Canadians can... Read More
The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) is recommending the immediate reinstatement of a set-aside program that was implemented during the BSE era to address the challenges with beef processing capacity being created by COVID-19. The CCA says it's in discussions with the federal government about implementing the program to encourage producers to hold cattle longer when... Read More
The week has started off with more livestock processing issues, as the industry attempts to deal with COVID-19. Cargill's High River, Alta., beef plant is the latest in a growing list of plants to either slow its slaughter line down or shut it down entirely due to COVID-19 risks. According to several sources, the High... Read More
The decision to close a processing plant as it relates to COVID-19 infection of staff is a complicated one. Food processing plants have strict protocols and clear guidance on food safety issues, but the advent of a human disease pandemic is a new territory for all — processors included. Ultimately, the decision to close a... Read More
As of April 13, the Government of Canada is allocating $50 million to help farmers, fish harvesters, and all food production and processing employers with support for temporary foreign workers. Even before COVID-19 was an issue, the agriculture and food sectors already faced significant labour shortages. The advent of COVID-19 has delayed many temporary foreign... Read More
The Ontario Pesticide Education Program has cancelled all classroom Grower Pesticide Safety Courses and Pesticide Vendor Certification Courses, as a preventative measure to minimize the spread of COVID-19 For the over 1,400 people whose pesticide safety certification will expire this spring, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks has announced an extension. For... Read More