A close up on a nutrition facts label

U.S. group views Healthy Eating Strategy labels as trade barrier

Policy: News Roundup from the September 2017 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

While all of agriculture is focused on retaining market access to the U.S. and Mexico embedded in the North American Free Trade Agreement, the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) based in Washington, D.C., is just as concerned about proposed changes to Canada’s food labels. In an August 15 letter to United States Trade Representative Robert […] Read more

In June, the U.S. gained access for several of its beef products. The Canadian government needs to engage China on behalf of Canadian beef producers to gain similar access.

CCA Report: Keeping tabs on trade

From the August 2017 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Advocating for resources for the wildfires in British Columbia, preparing for the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), achieving equivalent trade access with the U.S. in China are among the priority issues keeping the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) busy this summer. The CCA is making officials aware of the need to address […] Read more


Taste-testing during a Canadian Beef Advantage Seminar in Shanghai in 2013.

Devil’s in the detail of China-U.S. beef deal

The announcement on May 4 that China will start accepting U.S. beef on or before July 16 had U.S. industry leaders applauding the Trump administration and excited about supplying this giant market. Their enthusiasm was understandable — U.S. beef has been shut out of China since late 2003, when the U.S. reported its first BSE […] Read more

Canada exports about $3.3 billion worth of raw foods, grains and oilseeds to China.

Fire and ice

Straight from the hip with Brenda Schoepp

The imagery of fire and ice is indicative of the current political status of our nation when it comes to trade. Between the blistering outbursts and cold responses there is imbedded a little dance with the dragon that may ultimately determine our economic well-being. Trump’s fire and brimstone proclamations will collapse with the mountain on […] Read more


Alfalfa and chicory helped carry the cattle through the dry pasture conditions.

When rain comes to pastures at the right time

A sudden turn in moisture conditions made all the difference

I am back up on 4 Clover Ranch near Rocky Mountain House, Alta., having arrived a week ago and getting our custom grazing operation going with cow-calf pairs trucked in as this is written. Meanwhile back at our Alcheringa Pastoral (Australia), Helen happily reported that our steer sale in late May had gone well. We […] Read more