Purebred Beef Spotlight: Feb. 15, 2022
Exhibitor news
Sales and shows
Beef news
- The Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta Cattle Feeders Association, and Canadian Cattlemen’s Association spoke out recently about the Coutts blockade, calling for a “timely resolution and the restoration of our essential supply chain.” In a joint statement, the groups said, “every day the industry is unable to move cattle, beef, or access feed puts the entire supply chain at risk.”
- Canadian beef exports were up in volume by 22% in 2021. Fawn Jackson, director of policy and international relations at the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, said new export records have been hit regularly since 2016 thanks to having some key trade agreements in place.
- The Alberta Cattle Feeders Association estimates that over 75% of its members have had corn shipments delayed and nearly all have had shipments of distillers’ dried grains delayed. Winter weather, labour shortages, and other challenges have all contributed to the delays.
- Lyle Taylor, general manager of the Medicine Hat Feeding Company, said expensive feed prices could lead to less beef production and higher prices in the fall. “This could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back and we might see a mass exodus in the ranching community if it stays dry this summer it’ll be very, very serious,” he said.
- Melanie Wowk, chair of the Alberta Beef Producers, said action is needed on a critical shortage of veterinarians in Alberta. “It’s just really reached a peak right now where the access to veterinarians, especially in more remote rural areas, is starting to become what I believe is an animal welfare issue,” she said.
- The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association earlier this month participated in discussions about country of origin labelling, sustainability, processing capacity, and the integrated North American market at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) annual convention in Houston, Texas.
- The Philippines, Canada’s 12th largest importer of beef, has lifted its temporary suspension of beef imports from Canada, which was imposed following an atypical case of BSE in December.
- Arson is suspected in a fire at the Fort Macleod Auction that destroyed most of the offices at the north end of the building. An investigation is ongoing. The organization said it has “full intentions of holding regular Tuesday sales.”
- The second episode of The Bovine, a podcast from the Alberta Beef Producers, looked at calving, bull fighting, and precision tech for cows.
- With calving season underway, the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation said Livestock Price Insurance (LPI) for calf sales opened on Feb. 1. Policies are available for purchase until June 9.
- The 2022 Alberta Beef Industry Conference has been postponed but new dates are expected soon.
Ag news
- Numerous agricultural organizations, including the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, the Canadian Hatching Egg Producers, the Grain Growers of Canada, and the Canadian Canola Growers Association welcomed the introduction of Bill C-234 which would “amend the federal government’s carbon pricing legislation to provide an exemption from the carbon tax for natural gas and propane used on-farm for grain drying, heating, and cooling livestock barns and greenhouses, steam flaking and irrigation.”
- The provincial government has expanded the mandate of the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation to include agricultural projects. “The ongoing research and innovation that we are seeing in Alberta agriculture will ensure this growing sector of our economy will continue providing jobs and investment well into the future,” said Nate Horner, minister of agriculture, forestry and rural economic development.
- The Agriculture Financial Services Corporation said phase two applications for the 2021 Canada-Alberta Livestock Feed Assistance are being processed and payments should be issued in March.
- Orders for The Blue Book are now being accepted, with deliveries slated for March. Last year, Alberta Barley, Alberta Wheat, Alberta Canola, and Alberta Pulse Growers took over production of the book.
- The 2021 tax credit rate for canola growers in Alberta is 14.59%. “The tax credit is an additional benefit for growers who contribute check-off on canola,” said John Mayko, chair of Alberta Canola‘s research committee.
- Lethbridge Exhibition Park has announced its 2022 Signature Events line-up. This year celebrates the 125th anniversary of the Lethbridge & District Exhibition and organizers expect to entertain 400,000 guests.
- Alberta Pork said due to disruptions “at every stage of the value chain” over the last year, production costs have risen significantly, eating into profitability.
- Alberta Milk‘s new “Smash Milk” campaign aims to get young people aged 18 to 29 buying dairy again. “Plant-based beverages are certainly cutting into dairy’s market share,” said Karlee Conway, marketing and communications manager.
- Sexsmith farmer Greg Sears has been named chair of the Alberta Wheat Commission. He previously served two years in the same role with the Alberta Canola Producers Commission.
- The Cloverdale Rodeo & Exhibition has been cancelled once again, this time due to maintenance work on the Stetson Bowl. “It’s very hard, especially for the board that’s been working on it for a year,” said president Gerry Spielmacher.
- The Canadian Produce Marketing Association is applauding the formation of a new Supply Chain Task Force. “Substantial increases in costs and delays along the supply chain threaten our food security and long-term economic viability, and will result in rising food costs for Canadians,” said president Ron Lemaire.
- The Canadian Grain Commission‘s role and operations could be significantly altered by efforts to modernize the Canadian Gain Act.
- New research led by experts at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences suggests that meat, fish, and dairy products should make up the majority of protein intake for people being treated for cancer.
- Farm Credit Canada has released its 2022 Virtual Ag Economic Outlook. Economists are projecting a 4.8% increase in western Canadian canola acres this year and a 3.1% increase in Canadian soybean plantings.
- The Fort Worth Livestock Show & Rodeo made the final day of its event free to say “thank you” to the citizens of Fort Worth and North Texas.
- Edmonton-based space data startup Wyvern is working with the smart farm at Olds College to further develop its hyperspectral imaging technology to help tackle the environmental impact of the country’s agriculture sector.
- Ag entrepreneur and author Robert Saik has donated $100,000 to Olds College to create an endowment fund for the Robert Saik AgTech awards.
- Paula Burns, outgoing president and CEO of Lethbridge College, said applied research, particularly in the agricultural area, is a key opportunity for growth for the institution.
- About 586,000 people attended the 116th National Western Stock Show last month, down 18% from pre-pandemic attendance.
Other events
Opportunities and invitations
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