B.C. Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick, shown here last October promoting the province’s income tax credit for farmers donating agricultural products to registered charities, held his Kelowna riding in the provincial election Tuesday night. (Gov.bc.ca)

B.C. ag minister, ag critic hang on in election

British Columbia’s incumbent agriculture minister and opposition agriculture critic have both held onto their seats in the legislature so far through the province’s harrowing election Tuesday. Complete results aren’t expected to be available until after the final count starting May 22, but preliminary results put the province’s governing Liberals in minority status with 43 of […] Read more

(Scott Bauer photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

More PED cases turn up in southeastern Manitoba

A hog finisher operation and a sow operation in Manitoba’s southeastern “hog alley” have been confirmed with cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), both within close range of the province’s first case in over seven months. According to Manitoba Pork, the province’s chief veterinary officer on Monday confirmed positive test results for PED at a […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Farm sales to co-ops to count for small business deduction

Changes to federal tax law that were meant to block “multiplication” of the small business deduction for corporations won’t apply to farmers’ sales to co-operatives. The federal government on Friday released draft amendments to the Income Tax Act, which would allow qualifying farmers and fishers selling to agricultural and fisheries co-operatives to be eligible for […] Read more

(Keith Weller photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Response seen curbing PED spread from Manitoba case

The “quite early” catch and quick response for Canada’s latest outbreak of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), in a sow barn in Manitoba’s “hog alley,” are expected to keep a lid on the virus’ spread beyond the one site. The province’s chief veterinary officer (CVO) on Tuesday confirmed PED-positive tests at the southeastern Manitoba farm, and […] Read more



History: Homesteading in the Hand Hills

Reprinted from the August 1950 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Homesteading in the Hand Hills By Harvey Hanson, Balzac, Alta. ‘In a previous article in the “Canadian Cattlemen” I told how a portion of the Palliser Triangle in Alberta at one time had people on nearly every quarter section and how you can now drive for miles and not see a soul. It is that […] Read more


Jon Neutens. (Supplied photo)

Glacier Media strengthens weather, ag technology team

Glacier Media, a leading Canadian business information news, insights and data supplier, has appointed Jonathan Neutens as president of its Weather Innovations Consulting (WIN) group. Neutens, who has more than 20 years experience in North America’s agribusiness sector, will lead the team at WIN to scale its business in the ag technology space, building on the existing […] Read more

Hogs on a stock trailer bound for a Toronto packing plant accept drinks from Toronto Pig Save members in 2013. (Screengrab of Toronto Pig Save video via YouTube)

Farm groups weigh options after hog truck verdict

Officials with Ontario farm groups plan to “discuss next steps” following the dismissal of charges against an animal welfare activist who gave drinks to hogs aboard a livestock trailer. Justice David Harris of the Ontario Court of Justice on Thursday dismissed a charge of criminal mischief against Anita Krajnc of the self-described “grassroots, animal rights, […] Read more



cattle in a feedlot

Cattle Feeders’ Association in levy land

Associations: News Roundup from the April 2017 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

A mix of old and new sprinkled with unknowns marks Martin Zuidhof’s second year as chair of the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association (ACFA). A priority internal project already underway this year involves working with a consultant to put a new strategic plan in place to ensure the association stays on track providing services of value […] Read more