Stories by Shannon VanRaes | Canadian Cattlemen

Livestock price insurance in works for Manitoba

By Shannon VanRaes November 15, 2013

Price volatility could soon be a thing of the past for Manitoba’s beef producers, if a proposed livestock price insurance program comes to fruition. The provincial government on Tuesday pledged such a plan in the speech from the throne by Lt.-Gov. Philip Lee. “Building on the recent introduction of forage insurance, in the year ahead […] Read more

Livestock

Manitoba prosecutors to review 2012 hog barn case

By Shannon VanRaes August 28, 2013

Manitoba’s Chief Veterinary Office has completed its investigation of a hog barn in the province’s south-central region where 1,300 young pigs were euthanized last fall. “The investigation has concluded and the file has been referred to the Crown prosecutor to determine if charges should be laid,” said a spokeswoman with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural […] Read more

Crops, Weather

Flood mitigation pledged on Lake Manitoba

By Shannon VanRaes May 29, 2013

The Manitoba government has committed $250 million to the building of two permanent outlet channels to prevent future flooding on Lake Manitoba. Premier Greg Selinger made the announcement in Winnipeg on Wednesday, indicating construction could begin within three years. “We’re going to do all the studies, get the ball rolling on this,” said Selinger. “It’s […] Read more

Livestock, Markets

Manitoba shuns proposal for hog farm stabilization

By Shannon VanRaes, GFM Network News April 5, 2013

Manitoba’s provincial government will not back a hog stabilization program proposed by the Manitoba Pork Council. “We’re very disappointed by the decision,” said council chairman Karl Kynoch, who anticipates more producers will exit the pork industry as a result. “The only good thing is that now producers know that they are on their own and […] Read more

Twyla Francois, director of investigations with the Canadian arm of the Los Angeles-based group Mercy for Animals, says she doesn’t believe the pork industry is sincere about moving from gestation stalls to group housing. (Shannon VanRaes photo)

Livestock

Pork sector reeling as hidden-camera footage goes national

By Shannon VanRaes, GFM Network News December 10, 2012

Video shot at a farm in Manitoba’s Interlake region by an undercover animal rights activist unfairly depicts animal care practices in the province, farm groups say. Featured on CTV’s newsmagazine program W5, the grainy footage shows sows in gestation stalls, castration, tail docking, a cull sow being repeatedly shot with a captive bolt and piglets […] Read more

General, Livestock

Maple Leaf Puratone offer sends message of stability to lenders

By Shannon VanRaes, GFM Network News November 5, 2012

Maple Leaf Food’s agreement to purchase the Niverville-based Puratone Corporation is good news for Manitoba hog producers, according to the Manitoba Pork Council. "We’re happy to see that a Canadian company has purchased Puratone," said council chairman, Karl Kynoch. "We want to see plants here that can compete with their American counterparts." With two of […] Read more

General, Livestock

Maple Leaf examines options after Olymel eyes Big Sky

By Shannon VanRaes, GFM Network News November 1, 2012

Maple Leaf Foods is examining its options after competitor Olymel placed a "stalking horse" bid on Big Sky Farms of Saskatchewan. Big Sky is a supplier for Maple Leaf’s Brandon facility, but went into receivership earlier this fall. "We don’t expect any short-term impact on our hog supply and we have several contingency plans in […] Read more

Livestock

Province offered aid before pigs shot at Manitoba barn

By Shannon VanRaes, GFM Network News October 11, 2012

An west-central Manitoba hog producer is said to have turned down assistance from the provincial agriculture ministry in the lead-up to the eventual euthanizing of 1,300 young hogs. "We had discussed options with this producer about other steps he could have taken," Dr. Wayne Lees, Manitoba’s chief veterinarian, said of the situation at the farm […] Read more

Livestock

Man. workers’ shooting of pigs in ‘distress’ questioned

By Shannon VanRaes, GFM Network News September 7, 2012

Manitoba provincial workers took a full day to shoot 1,300 hogs in a barn that is now under investigation for inhumane treatment of its animals, according to a former employee who claims to have witnessed the event. The weanlings were shot using 22-calibre rifles and some were shot "three or four times" before dying, said […] Read more

Crops

Staples Canada picks up straw-based paper

By Shannon VanRaes, GFM Network News September 1, 2012

Manitoba farmers could see a lucrative new market for straw emerge, as the province moves closer to becoming the site of North America’s first pulp and paper mill using straw. Prairie Pulp + Paper Inc. launched a new printer paper containing 80 per cent straw this summer, and if the product is a hit with […] Read more

‘Extreme drought’ expands in Prairies

Don’t count chickens before they hatch: Tyson bet on wrong rooster

U.S. livestock: CME cattle gain as demand remains strong

GFM Network News

‘Extreme drought’ expands in Prairies

Don’t count chickens before they hatch: Tyson bet on wrong rooster

U.S. livestock: CME cattle gain as demand remains strong

Author Archives Shannon VanRaes

Livestock price insurance in works for Manitoba

Manitoba prosecutors to review 2012 hog barn case

Flood mitigation pledged on Lake Manitoba

Manitoba shuns proposal for hog farm stabilization

Pork sector reeling as hidden-camera footage goes national

Maple Leaf Puratone offer sends message of stability to lenders

Maple Leaf examines options after Olymel eyes Big Sky

Province offered aid before pigs shot at Manitoba barn

Man. workers’ shooting of pigs in ‘distress’ questioned

Staples Canada picks up straw-based paper

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