Olymel has temporarily closed its hog slaughtering, cutting, and deboning plant at Red Deer, Alberta. "Despite the testing protocols and sanitary measures already in place, as well as the close collaboration of Alberta Health Services to deal with a resurgence of positive cases of COVID-19 among plant employees, Olymel management believes that the conditions are... Read More
Category: Western Canada
At least six commercial hog producers in Alberta are advocating for reducing pig production in the province to pressure processors to change how animals are priced. The group met with Alberta Pork's board of directors and staff last week to discuss their proposal to cut production, and to determine where the provincial organization stands on... Read More
The federal agriculture minister tried to address some of the questions coming from farms and other businesses that employ temporary foreign workers (TFWs) in a news conference on February 12. Employers of TFWs have been seeking clarifications regarding the federal government's international travel restrictions and COVID-19 isolation protocols, as workers arrive for the upcoming growing... Read More
Whether you are buying or selling on the feed market side, there's no doubt that you've noticed prices skyrocketing. Between a lack of U.S. corn, and corn availability coming into Canada, the price has been driven upwards. Brian Voth of IntelliFarm Inc. says the lack of supply has followed economics 101, and has driven up... Read More
When it comes to field work in either spring or fall, time is money. To speed up the process, Brandt Industries rolled out the new HP Torsion Harrow last fall and is currently moving units to dealers for #plant21. The new implement comes in 100- and 120-feet widths, geared to the larger producer who needs... Read More
Merit Functional Foods has started commissioning its $150 million pea and canola protein facility at Winnipeg, Man. Construction on the 94-thousand square foot plant on the west side of the city started in the fall of 2019. "This is a momentous step for us,” says Merit’s co-CEO Ryan Bracken, highlighting the completion of construction in... Read More
Degelman Industries LP and John Deere Company have reached an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement to provide a line of heavy harrows designed for small grain farmers. The agreement gives the John Deere dealer network a new tool for managing heavy residues, controlling weeds and volunteer plants, as well as for warming soil ahead of... Read More
Cervus Equipment has announced they are combining the John Deere dealerships at the Red Deer and Olds locations into a new 44,000 sq ft facility. The new location will be built at the junction of Highway 2 and Highway 42 near Penhold, Alta., and is anticipated to be in service by early 2022. All store... Read More
If you're on the Canadian Prairies, chances are you could likely describe this winter as "meh." There hasn't been a lot of snowfall in most areas, and temperatures — until the last week or so — have been fairly mild. Eric Snodgrass, principal atmospheric scientist with Nutrien Ag Solutions, agrees, calling it a "boring winter"... Read More
Rural crime is unfortunately one of those topics that more of us have been impacted by than not. Whether it be through a neighbour, your own farm, or a friend across the country, rural crime happens. Farm specific crime, such as stolen fuel or grain or rustled animals, often ticks up when commodity prices rise.... Read More