Cutting sow numbers part of federal plan to help red meat producers Tuesday, February 26, 2008 by MARY BAXTER Announced Monday in Ottawa by Ag Minister Gerry Ritz, the measures are aimed at helping producers like McLean. Initiatives, include: Changes to a federal advance payments program to make it easier for livestock producers to qualify for emergency loans by permitting them to use their livestock as security rather than business reference margins; Raising the limits on these loans to $400,000 from $25,000, extending an existing interest-free clause on the first $100,000 to the emergency loans and also extending the period before repayment begins to a year from six months; Introducing a $50 million sow cull program to be administered by the Canadian Pork Council. (The program is retroactive to November 2007 and offers up to $225 a head as well as reimbursement for slaughter and disposal on the condition producers empty at least one barn and not restock it for three years); Reviewing meat inspection fees to evaluate their impact on the livestock sector’s ability to compete; Reducing costs and increasing competitiveness under the Canadian enhanced feed ban. Clare Schlegel, president of the Canadian Pork Council, said the measures would give producers “breathing room” while they figure out how best to adjust to market conditions. That’s also how Hugh Lynch-Staunton, president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association sees it. The cash advance program improvements will provide “the liquidity for individuals to make more sensible decisions than they would have to do in a forced situation,” he said. McLean says reduced production only solves one part of the industry’s woes. He’d like to see measures in place to combat the effects of ethanol on livestock production: increasing grains and oilseed costs and reduced availability of these for feed. He also pointed out producers continue to face the daunting challenge of competing not only with hog producers from elsewhere but also producers of other meat products. With commodity prices’ continued rise “it’s very difficult to make business decisions in that environment.” Ritz said the goal was to have the money flowing by March. He attributed the motivation for the changes to producers expressing concerns about problems with emergency funding announced in December. “They were taking it in with one hand and then losing it as soon as they triggered a payment under CAIS,” he said. BF Cutting sow numbers part of federal plan to help red meat producers: UPDATE CPC president maintains hope for battered hog market
Manitoba combine concaves featured in TIME Magazine Thursday, October 23, 2025 A product from Winkler, Man., has found itself in TIME Magazine. Thunderstuck Ag’s Razors Edge concaves are part of TIME’s list of the 300 best inventions of 2025. “I don’t even think it’s sunk in,” Jeremy Matuszewski, president and founder of Thunderstruck Ag, told Farms.com. “I mean... Read this article online
Why Choose Hi-Hog Livestock Feeders Thursday, October 23, 2025 Producing high-quality hay is no easy task. It requires a substantial financial and time investment, and minimizing loss is a struggle anyone utilizing hay can understand. For this reason, Hi-Hog Livestock Feeders should be utilized. BC Livestock is the premier dealer of Hi-Hog Livestock... Read this article online
HGS BioScience acquires NutriAg to form a leading biostimulant and bionutritional company Wednesday, October 22, 2025 HGS BioScience, a leader in humic and fulvic acid-based products backed by Paine Schwartz Partners, announced today the acquisition of NutriAg Ltd., a Toronto-based innovator in bionutritional technologies. This strategic merger brings together two complementary forces in agricultural... Read this article online
The Rock Picker That’s Redefining Field Efficiency Wednesday, October 22, 2025 Highline Manufacturing recently introduced the RP 800, the next evolution in rock picking technology. Built tough and engineered for speed, visibility, and durability, the RP 800 is designed to help producers clear fields faster and more efficiently than ever before. At the heart of... Read this article online
HGS BioScience acquires NutriAg to form a leading biostimulant and bionutritional company Wednesday, October 22, 2025 HGS BioScience, a leader in humic and fulvic acid-based products backed by Paine Schwartz Partners, announced today the acquisition of NutriAg Ltd., a Toronto-based innovator in bionutritional technologies. This strategic merger brings together two complementary forces in agricultural... Read this article online