Federal inspectors have formally closed the book on a 2018 outbreak of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in a British Columbia cattle herd, but with “no definitive source of infection” found. The probe dates back to October that year, when a beef cow of an unknown age, from a cow-calf operation in B.C.’s southern Interior, was culled, […] Read more
Bovine TB probe wraps with no exact point of entry found
'More stringent' tests now being run on U.S. rodeo cattle imports
U.S. investor to buy Prairie canola ‘streaming’ firm
All-cash deal offers $97.5 million for Input Capital
A U.S. investor has stepped forward with an all-cash bid for the Regina company that brought “streaming” to the Prairie canola marketing business. Input Capital, which in February last year began to review options such as a sale or merger to “enhance shareholder value,” said Wednesday it has a deal to sell all of itself […] Read more
Containerized crops may get stuck in Montreal port’s strike
Longshoremen on 'indefinite' strike as of Monday morning
Bulk grain traffic through the Port of Montreal isn’t expected to be affected by a longshoremen’s strike that began Monday morning, but eastbound containerized crops may be among the traffic put on hold. CUPE’s Syndicat des debardeurs Local 375, which represents about 1,150 longshoremen and longshorewomen at the port, served notice Friday that it would […] Read more
Unasked-for seed packets considered ‘low-risk’
But don't plant, flush or compost them, CFIA warns
Federal inspectors say the unsolicited packages of seeds that have recently turned up in mailboxes across the country so far look to be “low-risk” — but still advise the public not to plant them. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have both reported […] Read more
Union seeks temporary halt for major Manitoba hog plant
Four Maple Leaf plant staff now COVID-positive
The union for about 2,000 workers at Maple Leaf Foods’ main Canadian hog slaughter and packing plant is calling for the company to put the brakes on production, pending further tests for COVID-19 among employees. United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 832 said Thursday it was “made aware” late Wednesday night of three more […] Read more
Plant-based near-chicken on KFC’s Canadian menu to stay
Maple Leaf's Lightlife arm to make 'Plant-Based KFC' sandwich
Updated, Aug. 18: Consumers’ response to a single-day test of plant-based near-chicken menu items in Mississauga last year has led KFC Canada to add the product, full time, to its menu nationwide. The Canadian arm of the Yum Brands-owned chicken chain announced Wednesday its ‘Plant-Based KFC’ sandwiches will be available permanently at its stores across […] Read more
Manitoba to open more Crown lands to haying, grazing
Province now taking requests for permits
Manitoba livestock producers up against dry conditions can now apply for temporary passes to get onto Crown land not normally designated for grazing or haying. The province announced Friday it will make such lands available this year for agricultural use “under certain circumstances.” Permits and land uses will be handled through the Agricultural Crown Lands […] Read more
Wendy’s secures Canadian greenhouse lettuce supply
Alberta grower to provide sandwich, salad lettuce nationwide
The Canadian wing of U.S. burger chain Wendy’s is going strictly indoors, in southern Alberta, to supply all the lettuce for its salad, burger and chicken sandwich offerings across the country. Whole Leaf, based outside Coaldale, about 20 km east of Lethbridge, was announced last week as the lettuce supplier for the chain’s 384 stores […] Read more
Ceres to buy further into Saskatchewan grain handling
Company taking up Cargill elevator in northeast
Minneapolis grain dealer Ceres Global Ag has made a deal to take its Prairie elevator network a step further northwest. The company announced Thursday it has an agreement in place to buy Cargill’s elevator and “associated assets” at Nicklen Siding, about 30 km north of Tisdale in northeastern Saskatchewan. The elevator, on Canadian National Railway […] Read more
Beyond Meat lines up Canadian patty co-packer
U.S. company launches 'latest iteration' of burger line
One of the names tied closest to the plant protein-based meat substitute sector has enlisted an unnamed Quebec operation to make its beef-similar patties for the Canadian retail market. Los Angeles-based Beyond Meat on Wednesday launched the “latest iteration” of its flagship Beyond Burger, billed as “produced locally at a co-manufacturing facility in Canada” and […] Read more