Issues & Insights

With highly pathogenetic avian influenza (HPAI) detected in wild and domestic birds in provinces across Canada, authorities are asking members of the public to report sick or dead birds. It’s especially important to report: Clusters of dead waterfowl (ducks, geese, swans) or other water birds (loons, shorebirds, wading birds). Any number of raptors or avian…

Of all the agricultural plastics on prairie farms, baler twine is one of the easiest to overlook when it comes to a commitment to recycle. Unlike grain bags, which when empty, are a massive amount of plastic laying in the field, baler twine accumulates in smaller bunches, seemingly innocuous, until they start to take over…

“It’s about family.” It’s among the first words expressed by Dyce Bolduc and his daughter Kaitlynn. They’re sitting down over a few cups of coffee after morning chores on their farm in Stavely, AB, two generations of purebred cattle operations at Cudlobe Angus.  Dyce can remember in detail the first three purebred Angus cows his…

A Ukrainian agriculture journalist chronicles the challenges of sowing a crop during wartime. By Ihor Pavliuk, GFM Network News Ukrainians will farm their land, even in the face of war. In the Kherson area of southern Ukraine, where war rages and the city of Kherson is seen by the Russian invaders as strategic, a column set…

Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) is pleased that Canadian Pacific Railway (CP Rail) and Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC – Train and Engine Negotiating Committee agreed to enter into binding arbitration. “We are relieved that both parties have decided to enter arbitration,” said Dr. Melanie Wowk, Chair, ABP. “The beef industry is thankful to Premier Jason…

In 2018, Dr. Pat Burrage sold his veterinarian practice in Bluffton, Alberta to a young vet, thinking he would have a lot more time to spend with his family. He also thought he would find more time to talk to the Angus Cross and Longhorn herds on his farm just west of the central Alberta…

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are implementing a new policy to make it easier to for regulated animals to cross the border during emergencies. The Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) of Canada, Dr. Mary Jane Ireland, and the United States CVO, Dr. Rosemary Sifford issued the following statement:…

Wow, have you looked at the price of a steak lately? Canadian retail beef prices are at the highest level in history, inflating over 20% a year. A good steak or roast can cost $25-50 in the store; can you believe it? That is for an unbranded commodity product sold from a largely undifferentiated commodity…

Supply chain issues are affecting many products, including livestock identification devices. Shortage of raw material and staff absenteeism at manufacturing plants are now creating some noticeable delays. CDMV (CCIA’s distributor) is receiving some shipments periodically, but as the busy calving season is upon us, demand is exceeding availability for some products. It is important to…

Alberta Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) say they are taking further action on the Coutts border assembly. In a statement, Alberta RCMP say what “may have begun as a peaceful assembly quickly turned into an unlawful blockade.” “While the Alberta RCMP has been in a position to conduct enforcement, we have been engaged with protesters…