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

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

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

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

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

Sobeys, Safeway parent seeks cost-cutting ‘leverage’
Empire Co., the parent firm for about 1,500 grocery stores across Canada, plans to restructure from a regional to a “largely national” operation cutting $500 million in annual costs by the end of 2020. Nova Scotia-based Empire — whose stores operate under brands including Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, and Lawton’s — on […] 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

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

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

Farm, ranch work still exempt from Alberta helmet rule
Farm and/or ranch work remain exempt in the final version of Alberta’s new law requiring off-highway vehicle users to wear helmets while riding on public land. Provincial Bill 36, which passed in December, takes effect May 15, requiring an approved helmet for anyone “driving, operating, riding in or on, or being towed by” an off-highway […] Read more

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