coronavirus Archives | Canadian Cattlemen

China suspends beef imports from Cargill plant

High River plant on long list of blocked facilities

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News 19 hours ago

China has temporarily suspended imports of beef from Cargill’s major beef packing plant at High River, Alta., part of a long list of meat plants blocked in the last half of June. The Reuters news service on Monday published a list of meat packing plants from around the world which during June and early July […] Read more

Special coverage

COVID-19 and the farm: Stories from the GFM network

By Canadian Cattlemen Staff, GFM Network News 1 day ago

COVID-19 has added an unprecedented level of uncertainty and disruption to the agricultural communities we serve. Throughout this crisis, Glacier FarmMedia is leveraging the strength of its farm news network to help you stay up to date on developments important to your family and farm. Look here for links to all the coverage provided by our […] Read more

Crops, Reuters

Ontario investigating 17 temp agencies after virus outbreaks on farms

"We stand firm against exploitation in our province"

By Allison Martell, Rod Nickel, GFM Network News 4 days ago

Toronto/Winnipeg | Reuters — Ontario is investigating 17 temporary recruitment agencies, the province’s labour ministry said, after health officials warned that agencies that move workers from farm to farm could be contributing to COVID-19 outbreaks. Canadian farms rely on some 60,000 people who come to Canada on temporary work permits every year, typically living and […] Read more

Livestock, Markets, Reuters

U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures rise on new-month buying

Hogs mostly down on concerns over supplies, demand

By Julie Ingwersen, GFM Network News 6 days ago

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures closed higher on Wednesday on what appeared to be technical and speculative buying at the start of a new month and quarter, analysts said. Yet the benchmark August live cattle contract on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange remained rangebound, with rallies capped by weak beef prices as slaughterhouses […] Read more

General, Machinery, Markets, Reuters

CUSMA pact takes effect under cloud of disputes, COVID-19

Deal appears to assure continuity of trade for agriculture

By Dave Graham, David Lawder, David Ljunggren, GFM Network News 6 days ago

Washington/Mexico City/Ottawa | Reuters — A modernized U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade pact took effect on Wednesday, ensuring continuity for manufacturers and agriculture, but the threat of disputes is exposing cracks in what was meant to be a stronger North American fortress of competitiveness. As the deal kicks in, the Trump administration is threatening Canada with new aluminum […] Read more

Hogs, Livestock, Reuters

Chinese researchers warn of new virus in pigs with human pandemic risk

By Reuters, GFM Network News June 30, 2020

Shanghai | Reuters — A new flu virus found in Chinese pigs has become more infectious to humans and needs to be watched closely in case it becomes a potential “pandemic virus,” a study said, although experts said there is no imminent threat. A team of Chinese researchers looked at influenza viruses found in pigs […] Read more

Three men in Alberta wearing face masks in 1918 during the Spanish influenza epidemic.

Vet advice

Vet Advice: Pandemic amnesia

Rarely is there perfect information about emerging disease

By Dr. Ron Clarke June 30, 2020

Face the North Wind is the compelling true story of cousins Fred Darbyshire and Ed Theriau, two young men from Sturgis, Sask., who ventured 1,000 kilometres north to Wollaston and Cree Lakes by canoe and dog team in search of fur. For 25 winters they survived on bear grease, caribou, fish and tea in the […] Read more

Livestock, Markets, Reuters

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hogs end firm on light recovery bounce

Ramped-up slaughter pace keeps lid on rallies

By Julie Ingwersen, GFM Network News June 30, 2020

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures closed modestly higher on Monday, shaking off early declines and firming on technical buying ahead the end of the month and quarter, after a three-session slide last week, traders said. A firmer close in Wall Street equity markets lent support as optimism about the U.S. economy could […] Read more

Crops, Reuters

Ontario pledges farm recruiter crackdown as COVID-19 outbreaks grow

Ford rips 'fly-by-nighters just trying to make a quick buck'

By Reuters, GFM Network News June 30, 2020

Toronto | Reuters –– Ontario will crack down on “fly-by-night” recruitment agencies sending workers on to farms, the premier said on Monday, after a testing blitz identified a major coronavirus outbreak on a farm in southwestern Ontario. “We’re reaching out to all the farmers, we’re getting a list of these recruitment agencies. We found out […] Read more

Crops, Markets, Reuters, Weather

StatsCan survey shows bump up in wheat acres, particularly durum

Farmers back off canola, soybeans; pandemic expected to cause other problems for ag

By Reuters/Staff, GFM Network News June 29, 2020

Ottawa | Reuters — Canadian farmers planted slightly more wheat overall in 2020 than in 2019, but the coronavirus outbreak will pose “unique challenges” in the production and distribution of crops, Statistics Canada said on Monday. Farmers planted 25 million acres of wheat, up 1.5 per cent from 2019, thanks in part to a 16.2 […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder cattle market searching for direction

G4 swine flu virus not new, China says

Canola futures testing chart resistance

GFM Network News