Anomalies in weekly averaged sea surface temperature (Celsius) over the Pacific for the week centred on Nov. 30, 2016. (CPC.ncep.noaa.gov)

U.S. forecaster sees weak La Nina likely to fade in early 2017

New York | Reuters — A U.S. government weather forecaster on Thursday said weak La Nina conditions were present but favoured to dissipate in the coming months. The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center said in a monthly forecast that conditions were likely to transition back to neutral during January through March. The report said […] Read more

(MHEby.com)

Livestock transport regulations up for comment

The public can comment until mid-February on proposed new livestock transport regulations which the government says will help Canada line up with international standards and limit how long livestock can go unfed during shipping. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Monday announced amendments to the federal Health of Animals Regulations dealing with transportation have been […] Read more



(AOHVA.com)

Farming work exempt from proposed Alberta helmet law

Farmers and ranchers at work would be exempt from a proposed new law requiring off-highway vehicle (OHV) users to wear helmets while operating on public land in Alberta. Provincial Transportation Minister Brian Mason on Monday announced proposed amendments to Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act that would require recreational users of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), snowmobiles, motorcycles, amphibious […] Read more



(Ontario.ca)

Restricted zone tightens for Algonquin wolf hunting

Farmers will be able to protect their livestock and families from Algonquin wolves in any areas and hunting will only be restricted in areas near four parks, allaying some concerns of farmers after the wolf was declared a threatened species. Kathryn McGarry, Ontario minister of natural resources and forestry, spoke to the Ontario Federation of […] Read more



(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Federal Tories, NDP press for TB quarantine compensation

Under pressure in the Commons Tuesday, the federal government has committed to “look into options” to compensate Alberta and Saskatchewan producers having to feed cattle they’re prohibited from selling. Federal Conservative and NDP agriculture critics David Anderson and Ruth Ellen Brosseau separately took the government to task this week over the costs producers have to […] Read more


Teresa Mann, general manager for Lakeland College's purebred herd, grooming a heifer.

PHOTOS: Scenes from an Agribition

Grainews field editor Lisa Guenther takes in the Canadian Western Agribition

Grainews‘ field editor Lisa Guenther has been taking in the sights and sounds with her camera at this year’s Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, Sask. From Nov. 21 to Nov. 26, the Queen City will be a focus for all things beef as spectators take in the largest livestock show in Canada.

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Drought-hit tax deferral zones named

Ottawa has seen enough drought in parts of southwestern Alberta, southern and eastern Ontario and southwestern Quebec to offer deferrals on their ranchers’ 2016 income tax from breeding livestock sales. Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay on Tuesday released the federal government’s initial list of municipalities designated for the 2016 deferral. In Alberta, those areas include Clearwater, […] Read more