
Tag Archives COVID-19

U.S. grains: New COVID variant scares markets
Soybeans, wheat drop; corn rebounds
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures fell Friday as news of a new COVID-19 variant discovered in South Africa sent oil and equities markets lower, with moves exaggerated by low trade volume across the grain and oilseed commodities. Chicago Board of Trade January soybeans lost 13-3/4 cents, at $12.52-3/4 a bushel, the contracts biggest […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle futures set new contract highs
February hogs drop to two-week low
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures set new highs on Friday and finished stronger on technical buying and firm cash prices, traders said. The front-month December contract and most-active February 2022 contract avoided losses seen in commodities such as crude oil and soybeans that were unnerved by the discovery of a […] Read more

Cargill serves lockout notice on High River workers
Company 'willing to keep meeting' after offer rejected
Updated — Whether in a strike or a lockout, workers at one of Canada’s biggest beef slaughter plants took another step toward the picket line this week by voting to reject the company’s latest contract offer. A vote conducted Tuesday and Wednesday by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 401 went to the […] Read more

Cargill beef plant workers serve strike notice
Without a deal, High River workers will walk Dec. 6
Unionized workers at Cargill’s cattle slaughter and processing plant at High River, Alta. will start strike action next month unless a deal can be reached with the company, their union said Wednesday. A strike would begin at High River no sooner than Dec. 6 at 12:01 a.m. if a new collective bargaining agreement isn’t reached […] Read more

B.C. calling halt to mink farming
Live mink on farms to be banned in 2023
British Columbia’s remaining mink farmers are “devastated” by the province’s proposal to phase out their industry over risks related to COVID-19. The province announced Friday it’s starting the process toward a permanent ban on mink farming — beginning with a ban on mink breeding, followed by a ban on live mink on farms by April […] Read more

APEC ministers call for curbs on farm, fuel, fishing subsidies
Washington/Wellington | Reuters — Pacific Rim trade and foreign ministers on Tuesday pledged to sustain the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic while pursuing talks to curb subsidies for fisheries and agriculture at a forthcoming World Trade Organization meeting. The ministers from the 21 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) countries said in a communique issued after […] Read more

Conservatives’ Barlow to return as federal ag critic
NDP, Bloc incumbent critics to return
A former agriculture critic for the federal opposition Conservatives will again handle the file when the House of Commons resumes sitting in two weeks. Conservative leader Erin O’Toole on Tuesday named John Barlow, MP for the southwestern Alberta riding of Foothills, as shadow minister for agriculture, agri-food and food security. As ag critic, Barlow replaces […] Read more

U.S. border reopens to Canadian land travelers
Travel business sees 'tremendous pent-up demand'
Toronto | Reuters — A steady stream of Canadian visitors, particularly retirees headed to U.S. sun spots, crossed the U.S. border by car on Monday for the first time in 20 months as Washington lifted travel restrictions. Traffic was heavy at times at some U.S. border posts such as Bluewater Bridge, Michigan near Sarnia, Ont., […] Read more

Pandemic upends retail business for the long term
Price sensitivity, brand recognition and positive beef messaging are all areas to watch, says grocery industry consultant
March 2020 brought a seismic shift to the grocery industry, forcing Canadian supermarkets to completely change their everyday operations. Before COVID, grocery stores were generally stocking fewer packaged goods and offering more fresh products, and prepared in-house meals were popular. Online grocery shopping had drawbacks and only made up a tiny percentage of grocery volume. […] Read more

Being contrary is not caring
Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke
The Canadian Veterinary Oath states the following: As a member of the veterinary medical profession, I solemnly swear that I will use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society. I will strive to: Promote animal health and welfare, Prevent and relieve animal suffering, Protect the health of the public and the environment, […] Read more