AAFC’s research station at Morden in southern Manitoba. (Manitoba Co-operator file photo by Allan Dawson)

COVID-19 threatens federal field research

Prairie cereals' commissions urge AAFC to follow example of universities, private researchers

COVID-19 threatens to sideline Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) field, greenhouse and laboratory research this year, but not if the Prairie wheat and barley commissions that help to fund it with farmer money have a say. AAFC has been sending “mixed messages” about its plans, Pam de Rocquigny, general manager of the Manitoba Wheat and […] Read more

(Deyana Robova photo/iStock/Getty Images)

Smithfield to close Illinois pork facility

Workers test positive for COVID-19

Reuters — World’s largest pork processor Smithfield Foods said Friday it will suspend operations at its Monmouth, Illinois pork processing facility next week after some employees tested positive for COVID-19, adding to already strained U.S. meat supplies. The news of some of the company’s 1,700 employees at the plant testing positive comes a day after […] Read more


Farm groups offer finance committee food security for thought

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) continues to pressure the federal government to offer more support for farmers as it looks to mitigate impacts of COVID-19. One of few parliamentary functions continuing to operate in the pandemic, the Commons standing committee on finance is responsible for studying and reporting on matters related to government spending. […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Tighter canola stocks, more wheat in updated ag department tables

MarketsFarm — Updated supply/demand tables released by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada on Wednesday include only minor adjustments to stocks and usage numbers, with slightly tighter canola ending stocks and a small increase in wheat supplies. Canola ending stocks for 2020-21 are forecast at 2.7 million tonnes in the updated tables. That would be down from […] Read more


Construction presses on at Roquette’s pea-processing plant at Portage la Prairie, Man. (Roquette photo)

Pulse weekly outlook: Manitoba pea plant construction continues

MarketsFarm — Work continues on Roquette’s pea processing plant at Portage la Prairie, Man., where the French plant-protein firm says measures have been taken to meet health and safety regulations regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. “Beginning in early March we proactively started collaborating with contractors on COVID-19 prevention measures, such as increased cleaning of communal spaces […] Read more

(Ag.calgarystampede.com)

Calgary Stampede cancelled for 2020

Province's limits on gatherings cover all major summer events

Alberta’s confirmation that its restrictions on gatherings include all annual summer events has led organizers of the Calgary Stampede to cancel the event for the first time in 97 years. “As a community celebration, the cancellation of our annual event comes with our community and public health and safety front of mind,” Stampede president Dana […] Read more


(TysonFoods.com)

Tyson to shutter beef facility as workers tested

Beef plant employees asked to isolate at home

Reuters — A Tyson Foods unit said Thursday it will temporarily halt production at a beef facility at Pasco, Washington, adding to the meat processing plant the company has had to shutter as it tests workers for COVID-19. Tyson said Wednesday it was closing two pork processing plants, including its largest in the U.S., further […] Read more

(Nadezhda_Nesterova/iStock/Getty Images)

Vancouver health officials shut poultry processor

COVID-19 hits at least 28 employees

Health officials in Vancouver have closed a federally inspected poultry plant in that city after confirming an outbreak of COVID-19 so far affecting over two dozen employees. The public health arm of Vancouver Coastal Health, the regional health authority for the greater Vancouver area, on Tuesday declared a COVID-19 outbreak among staff at United Poultry […] Read more


(MDurson/iStock/Getty Images)

EU sets out COVID-19 support for farmers

Moves meant to stabilize markets

Brussels | Reuters — The European Commission proposed measures on Wednesday to support farmers hit by the coronavirus restrictions, including aid to store surplus dairy and meat products. Under the proposals, the Commission will grant aid for private storage of milk powder, butter and cheese as well as beef, sheep and goat meat for a […] Read more

(TysonFoods.com)

COVID-19 forces Tyson to shutter two major U.S. pork plants

UPDATED — Reuters — Tyson Foods is shuttering two pork processing plants, including its largest in the United States, to contain the spread of the coronavirus, further tightening meat supplies after other major slaughterhouse shutdowns. The closures are limiting the amount of meat the U.S. can produce during the outbreak and adding stress on farmers […] Read more