Purebred Beef Spotlight
Exhibitor News
Beef News
- The Government of Alberta is partnering with the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Alberta Beef Producers, and Alberta Cattle Feeders Association to conduct a competitiveness study of the cattle industry.
- Alberta Beef Producers urged the government to provide drought relief to livestock operators. “We are a resilient industry, but we have reached a critical level where we need to ask for help,” said ABP chair Melanie Wowk. She also asked that crop producers be allowed to turn unharvestable crops into cattle feed.
- Here’s more from Agriculture Financial Services Corporation on putting crops to other uses.
- Alberta Beef Producers also shared tips to prevent and treat heat stress in beef cattle, and Wowk appeared on the Eat More Barbecue podcast.
- Melissa Moggy of Alberta Farm Animal Care offered more advice on protecting your livestock from heat stress.
- After leading a successful Beef Australia in May that saw more than 115,000 attend, Ian Mill is stepping down as CEO to oversee the Rockhampton Jockey Club.
- Beef Australia 2021 saw metaphorical shots fired between meat producers and supporters of plant-based alternatives, and the controversy continues as the Australian Senate holds an inquiry on whether plant-based products can use the term “meat,” reports Business Insider Australia.
- Fawn Jackson of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association welcomed the launch of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, saying that Canadian producers are in step with international efforts to reduce carbon emissions, improve land use, and protect animal health.
- Crystal Fisk of Ridgeline Cattle Co. has joined the Canadian Simmental Association as programs coordinator for the Young Canadian Simmental Association.
- The Canadian Speckle Park Association has moved its head office to 5160 Skyline Way NE in Calgary — registrations will resume on Sept. 1.
- Livestock Gentec published a Q&A with John Basarab, the new head of beef operations at Gentec.
- Also on the Livestock Gentec website is an article by Kajal Devani of the Canadian Angus Association on the value of attending the Beef Improvement Federation symposium, which will be in Des Moines this year and in Calgary in 2023.
- Medicine Hat Feeding Company raised the alarm about the effects of drought on the hay crop. “I’ve seen cattle turned in on crops two weeks ago already,” he told Farm News Now. “This is as bad it’s been around here for decades.”
- The Mexico Angus Association shared an article (in Spanish) about how to select the best bulls.
- The latest episode of the Chute Side podcast, sponsored by SC Online Sales, takes a look at fat cattle and what can be done to decrease obesity ahead of show season.
- Mexico is seeing progress in the production of purebred cattle, as published in Spanish by El Sol de Mexico
- The governments of Belize and Mexico have signed an agreement allowing for cattle destined for slaughter, that are also free from tuberculosis and brucellosis, to be imported across the border, reports 24 Horas in Spanish.
- Milenio reports (in Spanish) that cattle exports to the US from the Mexican state of Tamaulipas will be reduced to satisfy domestic demand
- Rain in the Mexican state of Sonora brought some respite to ranchers, but the drought continues in the region, reports El Sol de Hermosillo.
- The USDA is reporting that Mexican livestock inventories have already been drastically reduced due to drought conditions, according to Spanish language reports in Opportimes.
- Ganaderia.com is reporting in Spanish that the first part of 2021 saw an increase in meat, egg, and dairy consumption in Mexico.
- Mexico set a record in beef production levels in 2020 reports Diario Marca in Spanish.
Ag News
- Alberta Barley and Alberta Wheat launched a new joint website containing many resources for farmers.
- Prairie farmers are being tempted to grow more canola in response to growing demand, but shortening their crop rotations risks increasing diseases, weeds, and insects, Brittany Hennig of Alberta Canola told Alberta Farmer Express.
- The University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy released a report highlighting the importance of agrifood producers to Alberta’s economic recovery. “It’s a big sector. It’s often been not fully appreciated, I think, because of the size and scope of the oil industry,” said Tom Steve of the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions. “Now we’re seeing this other industry has a lot of potential.”
- Farm Credit Canada published pieces on self-care for women on the farm and how to turn a crisis into a turning point.
- Lakeland College is launching a blended animal health technology diploma program in the fall. The program is made for students interested in a career as a registered veterinary technologist.
- Starting next fall, Lethbridge College will offer an agriculture science degree program that will work in conjunction with the current diploma program.
- The Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network, led by Olds College, is the first such network to promote the use and development of smart technology in farming. The network is funded by the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network.
Events
Opportunities and Invitations
- The Information and Communications Technology Council is inviting agri-food businesses to participate in the Agri-Food Tech Labour Market Survey to better understand the labour market implications of technology in Canada’s agri-food sector. It is open until July 30.
- The Smart Agriculture and Food Digitalization and Automation Challenge from Alberta Innovates is providing up to $500,000 to projects that develop or advance smart technologies to improve Alberta’s agri-food commodities. The deadline to submit an expression of interest is Aug. 13.
- The UFA Rural Communities Foundation will award grants of $10,000 to $100,000 to charities, non-profit organizations, or community service co-operatives for projects that support recreational, educational, and cultural facilities and programs. Applications will be accepted until Aug. 31, and recipients will be announced in October.
- Agriculture education program providers can apply for the Youth Agriculture Education Program, which provides up to $200,000 per project per year to develop or expand education programs for youth between kindergarten and Grade 12.
- The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) is giving $2.5 million to agrifood investment platform SVG Ventures|THRIVE so that the Silicon Valley-based company can set up a Canadian headquarters in Calgary. OCIF’s board chair said the investment will help foster Canada’s “agrifood tech renaissance.”
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