A key part of R-CALF’s WTO-compliant proposal is forcing mandatory country-of-origin labelling for all food service beef and processed or prepared beef dishes.

Dittmer: R-CALF still considers mCOOL salvation

Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer

It is astonishing, really, that R-CALF does not exist in a Communist country, because they seem totally ignorant of free market economics. They do not understand any other segments of a production chain besides themselves but really prefer a command-and-control economy, directed by… themselves, of course. They have not given up on mCOOL, despite a […] Read more

North American countries have a key advantage over the other major advanced economies – access to both the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean.

Dittmer: The interplay of politics and economic growth

Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer

Economic growth can come from many places and politics can shape it in different ways. A recent article examined the ways immigration has contributed to economic growth in Canada, especially given that much of your immigration is screened to boost productivity. Another column examined how the uproar in Canada uncharacteristically has escaped the borders of […] Read more


As data technologies advance, nutrition professionals have suggested the research process that determines dietary guidelines be updated.

Improving your government’s nutrition advice

Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer

Seems I’m always apologizing for something from down here that migrates north and causes trouble. This time, though, I’d like to shed some light on how to fix things, in case you’d like suggestions to add to your own ideas. I’m referring to our influence on your Canada’s Food Guide. First, a little history you […] Read more

Willing to ask

Straight from the hip with Brenda Schoepp

Author Naomi Klein wrote: “Politics hates a vacuum. If not filled with hope; someone will fill it with fear.” Many can likely relate to this statement in the current political environment. From American politics, specifically on trade and immigration — to pipeline threats and promises, the art of filling the vacuum with fear is alive […] Read more


It is our conversation today that shapes our tomorrow.

Changing the dialogue in agriculture

Straight from the hip with Brenda Schoepp

As a graduate student in global leadership, one thing is clear: all of humanity and all the actions of humanity centre around food. We cannot have peace without food. Nor can we progress, transfer knowledge, create communities or nurture growth. Economies fail and crisis prevails when food is uncertain or unattainable, governed or expensive, lacking […] Read more

Farmer With Vet Examining Calf

New drug regulations require adjustment

Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke

No issue over the past 15 years occupied more space in agriculture, veterinary or public health-related press than antimicrobial resistance (AMR). No single topic appears more often on conference and seminar agendas than topics addressing the use, abuse and prudent use of antimicrobials in humans and animals. Petitions, a plethora of committees of every description, […] Read more


Section of the Great Wall of China

Comment: China is next

Trade once again dominated the headlines since our last issue of Canadian Cattlemen arrived in your mailbox. In June we had the president of Mexico dropping in to announce his country would be willing to import a full range of Canadian beef products starting October 1. Canada Beef president Rob Meijer thinks this addition will produce […] Read more

CCA Report: Our business goes on as usual

From the November 2015 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) congratulates Prime Minister-elect Justin Trudeau, and the Liberal Party of Canada (LPC) for their convincing win in the October 19 federal election. The CCA looks forward to working closely with the new government. As I write this column, the new cabinet had yet to be announced but the CCA hopes […] Read more