No question, the beef industry has been changed and challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our strategic approach has been all about responding, recovering and resetting, as the pandemic continues to disrupt business as usual, creating the next normal. Retail and food service operators are all responding by experimenting and innovating, recognizing that there are opportunities…
The Western Producer by Mary MacArthur It took farmer, inventor and recycler Danny Farkash about 2 1/2 years to figure out how to build a machine that turns used agricultural plastic into fence posts. Using old oilfield pipe, an anhydrous ammonia tank, a straw chopper, parts of a swather and other bits and pieces, Farkash…
AgriLand by Rachel Martin Computing giant Microsoft has launched a new partnership with Australian farm Wilmot Cattle Company to use grazing cattle to offset Microsoft’s carbon footprint. It’s understood Microsoft will buy half a million dollars worth of carbon credits from the New South Wales firm as part of the deal. It’s said to be one of…
Shaun Haney from Real Agriculture recently spoke at Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers national virtual event. He reports on the latest industry news and speaks with farmers and ag specialists about all facets of agriculture. Here’s a recap of the top trends he sees in agriculture. 1. Rural vs Urban The divide between rural and urban…
The Canfax fed steer and heifer price closed last week around $150.75/cwt, fully steady with the previous week. Fed prices are $6-7/cwt lower than last year. Last week dressed sales were reported from $252.25-253.50/cwt FOB the lot. Cattle that traded last week were being scheduled for the week of February 15th and 22nd delivery. Last…
Finally! Ag-tech advancements capitalizing on GPS technology will soon appear in a pasture near you. After watching crop production technology advance for years, the livestock sector is about to see some fresh high-tech products that make herd management easier through location tracking, virtual fencing, and data collection. The potential possibilities are exciting. From pasture rotation…
Country Guide by Lorraine Stevenson The sun is barely up but VRP Farms Ltd., a half hour north of Lethbridge, is already humming. Pen riders saddle their horses and barn labourers are shipping, sorting and processing. Feed drivers put their trucks in gear, operators of high hoes and manure trucks shuttle about the site, and…
BNN Bloomberg by Sandrine Rastello The virus brought BRP Inc. an unexpected windfall, with throngs of first-time customers riding out the pandemic on Sea-Doos, snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles. It’s betting that greener machines can help sustain the growth. The Canadian powersports manufacturer plans to introduce a broad lineup of electric-powered products within the next three…
Since December 1, 2018, a prescription has been required to purchase any medically important antibiotic for use in cattle. This meant that some medications, such as tetracycline, were no longer available over the counter at local farm supply stores. As with any new regulation change, this has caused some confusion in various situations for producers….
We are thrilled to welcome Corey Meyer to ABP. This issue, we ask: “Hey Corey, what’s popular at the meat counter these days?“ Customers. No, really. Right now we find many customers coming back to the meat counter to talk one-on-one with their butcher. They have questions. They want to be more involved, connect with…
Alberta Farmer Express by Jennifer Blair Ottawa’s pledge to spend $2 billion to bring decent broadband service to rural and remote areas is welcome news, but the devil will be in the details, say officials in Alberta. “I’m encouraged to see the funding, but the full delivery of it is the next question — how…
We sat down with Kelly Smith-Fraser, Chair of ABP, to talk about her first year as chair, and hopes for the future. Here is what she had to say… Each New Year brings a new start, thankfully. The past year has been tough, but when I look back I also appreciate the opportunities it brought….