Statistics Canada (StatsCan) has released its latest report on Canadian livestock inventories. As of January 1, 2024, Canadian cattle, hog, and sheep inventories were down compared with the same date one year earlier. According to StatsCan, Canadian farmers held 11.1 million cattle and calves on their farms on January 1, 2024, which is down 2.1…
There wasn’t enough trade for Alberta fed cattle last week to establish a price, but rail sales were stronger than previous week, and heifer prices softened. Canadian fed cattle and cow exports to the US for week ending February 10th were 21 per cent higher compared to last year and are up 2 per cent…
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has announced funding of approximately $13.5 million to support a new application intake under the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP). The initiative will provide the agricultural sector with help needed to support approximately 1,200 jobs for youth in the sector. The YESP offers support for 50 per cent of…
At a time when Canadian agriculture continues to struggle with a chronic worker shortage, new data from the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) has found that by the year 2030, there will be more than 100,000 vacant jobs to fill in the industry. This labour market supply and demand forecast is a study conducted by The…
Here’s to another year of positive change in 2024! We’re crossing our fingers for high beef prices, great growing conditions, and policy that complements our industry. This fall saw the announcement of another AgriRecovery. The 2023 AgriRecovery was hard fought by both Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation and AFSC, and we are thankful for the government’s…
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has completed its farm income forecast for 2023 and 2024, with results showing that overall Canadian farm income is expected to have reached a new record in 2023. According to AAFC, the agriculture sector continued to show very strong overall economic performance in 2023, despite numerous challenges, including droughts in…
For this episode of The Bovine, Kara Oosterhuis attended the CrossRoads Conference held in Calgary, Alta. Oosterhuis is joined by: Tune in below, or download to listen later on your favourite podcast platform!
While in Manila, Philippines, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Lawrence MacAulay, joined Canadian stakeholders, government partners, and dignitaries to officially open Canada’s Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office (IPAAO) and begin a new chapter for Canada’s engagement in the region. This announcement comes at the midway point in Minister MacAulay’s trade mission to two…
The Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame honours individuals who have advanced Alberta’s agriculture industries, food industries, and rural life. Albertans are encouraged to nominate an agricultural leader in their community. Every two years, up to three individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership while making a provincewide impact on their industries are inducted. RJ Sigurdson, Minister…
One of Alberta Beef Producers’ core strategies is to enhance the competitiveness of Alberta cattle operations through research and innovation. All research funding decisions are made by producers, for producers, and it only reaches its full value to producers when it is shared. One way you can immerse yourself in the research is by joining…
One thing that’s become really clear to me during our recent meetings throughout the province is just how resilient Alberta beef producers are during challenging times. We received a lot of really good feedback on producers’ experiences with the difficult things the industry is dealing with, like the drought and feed shortages. It’s amazing to…
In Alberta last week, the weighted average fed steer and heifer price was around $219/cwt live, $0.50/cwt higher than the previous week. Dressed sales were reported from $360.50-368.50/cwt FOB the feedlot. Cattle that traded were being scheduled anywhere from mid-March to mid-April delivery. U.S. packer interest was noted from two U.S. Pacific Northwest slaughter plants….