Italian sausages, cheeses and other traditional foods for sale in Milan’s Piazza del Duomo in December 2016. (Florin1961/iStock/Getty Images)

Italy won’t ratify EU trade deal with Canada, farm minister says

Milan | Reuters — Italy will not ratify the European Union’s free trade agreement with Canada, its new agriculture minister said on Thursday, ratcheting up an international trade spat and potentially scuppering the EU’s biggest accord in years. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is the first major trade deal the European Union has […] Read more




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EU backs plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance

Brussels | Reuters — EU member states backed a plan on Wednesday to combat antimicrobial resistance, an increasing global health issue, that would reduce the use of antibiotics in the food chain and limit certain drugs to humans. Antimicrobial resistance threatens the effectiveness of medicines such as antibiotics to treat infections in humans, as bacteria […] Read more


All producers raising beef or dairy cattle between 2003 and 2005 would be eligible for a share of the award if the suit is successful.

BSE class-action suit takes another step

Legal: News Roundup from the June 2018 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

The BSE class-action lawsuit against the federal government launched on behalf of producers that was moving toward a possible trial date last fall is still moving through the courts. Duncan Boswell, a senior partner with Gowling WLG in Toronto, says an amended litigation plan was approved by the court on April 30 and offers hope […] Read more

(Regis Lefebure photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

U.S. livestock: CME hogs move up with cash prices

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hogs rose for a second straight day on Wednesday as slaughter-ready, or cash, hog prices escalate in the midst of a seasonal supply squeeze, traders said. Sultry weather in parts of the U.S. Midwest caused livestock to eat less feed, which slows their weight gain and delivery to […] Read more


(iStock photo)

U.S. livestock: CME hogs snap back on higher cash, wholesale pork prices

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures on Tuesday recovered from Monday’s selloff, helped by higher wholesale pork values and surging market-ready, or cash, hog prices, traders said. Fund buying and bargain hunting enhanced futures advances, they said. June hogs, which will expire on Thursday, closed up 0.375 cent/lb. at 80.525 cents (all […] Read more

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Canadian dairy sector skimming global exports, U.S. complains

Winnipeg/Chicago | Reuters — Canada’s surging exports of protein-rich skim milk powder have angered farmers in the U.S., as the sheltered dairy sector in Canada draws the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump for its high tariffs. Canada cannot expect to have both a protected system and compete globally, U.S. Dairy Export Council CEO Tom […] Read more



The Branvold family of GBT Angus.

Innovation fuels GBT Angus

Sask. seedstock operation raises Angus cattle on its sixth-generation family farm

Trevor and Cheryl Branvold raise registered Angus cattle on their farm near Wawota, Sask., a farm that has been in Cheryl’s family since it was settled in 1888. “Our kids are the sixth generation of our family to be on our farm. We have two boys, Brett (13) and Carter (10). They are a lot […] Read more