Issues & Insights

Four U.S. Senators announced the American Beef Labeling (ABL) Act on Wednesday, that would reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling (mCOOL) for beef. Senators John Thune, Mike Rounds, Jon Tester, and Cory Booker will formally introduce the legislation next week. It would require the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), and the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to…

Hay illegally baled from an Alberta park and seized by RCMP and then stolen reflects desperation of livestock producers as historic drought threatens the Prairies. By: Doug Ferguson, Western Producer Theft of about $10,000 in hay bales gathered without a permit from a provincial park in Alberta, and then stolen before they could be donated to…

By Alexis Kienlen, Alberta Farmer Express The first drought relief payment of $94 per head should be in the hands of cattle producers soon. Alberta Beef Producers has been working with the provincial crop insurer to get the drought relief money out as quickly as possible, said general manager Brad Dubeau. “We’re continuing to work with Agriculture Financial Services…

Updated September 2, 2021 to reflect a change in one of the panelists, and new details on how to watch the debate. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is once again hosting a National Ag Leaders Debate, this time in the run up to Canada’s 43 federal election. Event Details: The debate will take place…

By Dr. Silke Nebel, Vice-President – Science and Conservation, Birds Canada Climate change and loss of biodiversity and are two challenges threatening the future of humanity. They are referred as “twin crises” because the factors driving them – and the potential solutions – are tightly linked. Trying to address one without addressing the other may…

By RealAgriculture Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) executive vice president Dennis Laycraft’s recent trip to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) convention in Nashville was a busy week. To start, Laycraft met with new leaders of organizations that frequent the convention, who were really appreciative that CCA made the effort to get down there. On Laycraft’s…

Provinces across the country are announcing further support to livestock producers impacted by drought. Here are some announcements and reactions released this week. Saskatchewan commits over $100 million in drought support to livestock producers By Canadian Cattlemen Staff With drought burning off pastures, drying water sources and raising feed costs, Saskatchewan’s provincial government pledged $119…

By Kara Oosterhuis, RealAgriculture It’s hot and it’s excessively dry. Every year we seem to have this conversation about fire safety at harvest, but I think this year especially, it’s crucial that we are having the discussion. I am no expert at this topic, however, a recent grass fire half a mile from my house…

In response to the extraordinary costs faced by producers through drought and wildfires, the Government of Canada is making available $100 million through the AgriRecovery Framework. “There are a lot of farm families across the West and in parts of Ontario who are making tough decisions in a difficult situation,” said Minister of Agriculture and…

In the last few months, we’ve received quite a few questions, comments and concerns around high beef prices at a retail level. In the last year and a half, we’ve seen major supply disruptions and demand shocks, as food service quickly shifted to retail. But, beyond local changes in demand, there are many factors that…