ABP focused on checkoff and TB

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

For three days in early December Alberta Beef Producers’ (ABP) delegates debated resolutions passed at their district fall meetings related to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), carbon tax and sequestration, industry funding and collaboration, and electoral structure. “The resolutions that were carried will provide clear direction to ABP as we move into 2017,” said […] Read more


(CMEGroup.com)

U.S. livestock: CME hogs tumble after again nearing six-month high

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hogs ended sharply lower on Thursday pressured by weaker initial cash prices and fund liquidation, but not before futures approached a six-month high for a second straight session, said traders. February hogs ended 1.675 cents/lb. lower at 65.85 cents (all figures US$). April closed 2.925 cents lower […] Read more

Quebec Agriculture Minister Pierre Paradis. (MAPAQ.gouv.qc.ca)

Quebec ag minister pulled from caucus

Quebec’s agriculture minister has been removed from the provincial government’s cabinet and caucus, the premier’s office said Thursday. In a short press release, Premier Philippe Couillard said he was informed Thursday evening that Agriculture Minister Pierre Paradis is the subject of a police investigation. Given the circumstances, Paradis has been relieved of ministerial duties and […] Read more



A+W, whose English Muffin Bacon + Egger is shown here, plans to go head to head against McDonald’s in offering all-day breakfast across Canada by the end of February. (CNW Group/A+W Food Services of Canada Inc.)

McDonald’s, A+W roll out all-day breakfast for Canada

Burger chains McDonald’s and A+W expect to dial up their demand for Canadian eggs as they offer all-day breakfasts alongside their beef and chicken wares across the country, starting next month. Toronto-based A+W announced Thursday it would be “the first national burger chain to offer all-day breakfast at its restaurants” coast-to-coast starting Feb. 27, after […] Read more


(Gloria Solano-Aguilar photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs surge to near six-month high

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hogs on Wednesday climbed to their highest level in almost six months, fuelled by short-covering following strong cash and wholesale pork prices, said traders. Technical buying developed after February and March futures surpassed their respective 10-day moving averages of 65.662 and 69.023 cents (all figures US$). February […] Read more

The purebred herd starts calving in January and the commercial cattle about March 10.

Calving at Tannas Ranch

A family-run, fourth-generation ranch in Alberta

Mark and Ingrid Tannas, their son Luke and his wife Ceanna run 300 purebred Angus and 125 commercial cows at their ranch west of Water Valley, Alta. Mark is the fourth generation on the ranch. “Our family has been here about 50 years, and we built our first calving barn about 40 years ago. It […] Read more


Quebec Agriculture Minister Pierre Paradis. (MAPAQ.gouv.qc.ca)

Quebec agriculture minister temporarily sidelined

Quebec’s agriculture minister Pierre Paradis is off work temporarily with what’s reported to be a concussion. Premier Philippe Couillard announced Wednesday that Paradis’ responsibilities as minister of agriculture, food and fisheries would temporarily go to Transport Minister Laurent Lessard. News outlets in Quebec including Radio Canada, La Presse and TVA reported Wednesday that Paradis had […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle slide on cash price unease

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures settled lower on Tuesday, weighed by caution ahead of this week’s cash prices, said traders. They said sell stops and technical selling contributed to market losses. February live cattle closed 0.575 cents/lb. lower at 119.675 cents (all figures US$). April finished 0.775 cent lower at […] Read more