Glacier FarmMedia – Eastern Canada saw a slightly larger cattle herd in 2020 compared to 2019 but nationally there were fewer cattle and sheep and slightly more hogs. Statistics Canada released its livestock 2020 inventory March 1, showing a one per cent decline in the national cattle herd, totalling 11.2 million animals, and a two […] Read more
Eastern Canada cattle herd grows
National cattle herd size drops, part of a decline happening since 2005
Early control would ease ASF damage in U.S.
Officials predict costs of an outbreak could be reduced to $15 billion from $50 billion if it was controlled within two years
Glacier FarmMedia – African swine fever could become endemic in the United States if it arrives in North America. Paul Sundberg of the Ames, Iowa-based Swine Health Information Centre said the virus is a looming threat that could cost the American pork industry $50 billion over 10 years. Why it matters: The American and Canadian […] Read more
Small pig farm survey part of ASF initiative
Learning more about small-lot producers could make it easier to communicate with them about African swine fever
Glacier FarmMedia – Whether pigs are kept as pets or for a personal pork supply, Canadians who keep a small number of pigs on their property are the target respondents for an online survey expected to be distributed in early 2021. Why it matters: There’s little good data on what motivates small-scale hog producers, and […] Read more
Pork’s affordability may create opportunities
Industry told it can capitalize on COVID-19-driven changes with cheaper meat and convenience
Glacier FarmMedia – Sylvain Charlebois sees opportunities for pork, and by extension hog producers, amid trends emerging from the pandemic. The Dalhousie University professor and researcher, who has become known as The Food Professor, told participants at the Banff Pork Seminar that the hog industry should find new ways to present pork to capitalize on […] Read more
Education campaigns about agriculture have drawbacks: professor
Engaging the public about animal agriculture’s vision is called a better option than abruptly pulling back the curtain
Glacier FarmMedia – Engaging the public rather than trying to educate the public could be the best path to ensure continued trust in animal agriculture. Marina von Keyserlingk, a professor in animal welfare at the University of British Columbia, said she has given a lot of thought about the future of animal agriculture and the […] Read more
On-farm hatching may benefit bird welfare
A poultry company is studying the logistics and benefits of bringing the eggs to the farm and hatching them there
Glacier FarmMedia – Hatching chicks on the farms where they are raised, rather than in a hatchery for later shipment to the farm, might improve bird welfare and performance. Groupe Westco, a New Brunswick poultry company, has undertaken research on the subject, with full results expected in 2021. Why it matters: Concerns about chick mortality […] Read more
Meat plants consider automation
Tyson hires former Google research executive as president
Glacier FarmMedia – Hundreds of meat plant workers in North America fell ill with COVID-19 when the pandemic hit earlier this year. It caused many processors to temporarily close or slow production. That was combined with high absenteeism because workers feared getting sick and higher rates of worker absence persist in some regions. Why it […] Read more
China’s hog herd recovery forecast questioned
Inventory levels aren’t expected to reach pre-ASF levels this year, and sow herd quality is likely to be lower than before
Glacier FarmMedia – Claims from China that hog production in that country will recover by next year to pre-2018 levels do not pass the smell test, says economic analyst Brett Stuart of Global AgriTrends. African swine fever forced the culling of an estimated 60 per cent of the Chinese herd after an outbreak began there […] Read more
Take a dog to work, says trainer
Making a dog’s work on the farm the fulfilment of its instinct can help make dog training easier
Glacier FarmMedia – Productive and successful use of a stock dog to herd livestock is based on using the natural behaviours of canines, said an experienced stockman and dog trainer. Jared Epp shared his expertise on the subject with participants in a video presentation at the Ag in Motion Discovery Plus event in mid-July. Why […] Read more
Long-term market outlook appears promising for pork and beef
Demand for Canadian beef was up by 17 per cent in 2019 over 2018
Glacier FarmMedia – The outlook is cautiously optimistic for Canadian beef and pork trade, say industry experts, so long as the worst effects from the pandemic are over. Fawn Jackson of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Phil Boyd of Turkey Farmers of Canada and livestock and meat market analyst Kevin Grier each said demand for beef, […] Read more
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