COVID-19 Archives - Page 48 of 49

Auction marts urged to introduce social distance

Cattle are still flowing through auction marts as scheduled

By Alexis Stockford, GFM Network News March 20, 2020

The Livestock Markets Association of Canada wants to see more social distance at auction marts in the wake of COVID-19. The association has released an emergency response policy, asking its members to implement social distancing and prevention measures against the virus. “What we are looking at is trying to get a consistent message out to […] Read more

Crops

No delays expected in fertilizer distribution

National fertilizer association doesn't expect any disruptions to deliveries

By Jennifer Blair, GFM Network News March 19, 2020

Should farmers expect delays to fertilizer deliveries heading into spring seeding? “Not if we can help it,” Fertilizer Canada CEO Garth Whyte said Thursday.”We’ve weathered all the rail system disruptions that we had over the last six months, and now, with COVID-19, we’re doing OK. “We’ve put contingency plans in at our manufacturing plants, at […] Read more

Crops

Saskatchewan pares ag spending in estimates

Spending estimates released without revenue forecasts

By Glacier FarmMedia staff, GFM Network News March 19, 2020

Saskatchewan expects to pull back its spending on agriculture by about $22.4 million in its 2020-21 budget year, mainly in a reduced outlay on business risk management (BRM) programs. Provincial Finance Minister Donna Harpauer on Wednesday tabled the province’s 2020-21 spending estimates with the “unusual step” of not including revenue forecasts, citing the current COVID-19 […] Read more

Commonly used surfaces, such as truck door handles, should be cleaned more often. (Kali9/E+/Getty Images)

General, Machinery

Take extra steps to keep farm workers safe during COVID-19

Add biosecurity practices, or ramp up the ones you already employ

By Alexis Kienlen, GFM Network News March 19, 2020

Farmers concerned about the spread of COVID-19 can learn from the hog sector on the matter of protecting themselves and their workers, says a leading expert on biosecurity in the pork industry. “This is the world of biosecurity that the swine industry deals with on a daily basis,” said Dr. Egan Brockhoff, veterinarian counsellor for […] Read more

Crops, Machinery

No Prairie farm fuel shortages expected in pandemic

Continuity plans in place to keep fuel moving

By Jennifer Blair, GFM Network News March 18, 2020

Prairie farmers shouldn’t see a disruption to their farm fuel distribution as a result of COVID-19 safety measures. “Our members are committed to minimizing disruptions to the Canadian fuel supply as a result of the pandemic response,” Canadian Fuels Association spokesperson Jason Vaillant said in an email. “Our members are working tirelessly to maintain operations […] Read more

CME May 2020 feeder cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

Livestock, Markets, Reuters

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hogs fall on demand uncertainty

By GFM Network News March 18, 2020

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. livestock futures fell on Wednesday, pressured by sharp declines in the equities markets and uncertainty about demand due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The cattle and hog markets surged on Tuesday because of strength in the cash market after consumers cleared out grocery store shelves in anticipation of being homebound […] Read more

ICE Futures May 2020 canola with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

Canola, Crops, Markets

ICE weekly outlook: More virus volatility expected in canola

By Phil Franz-Warkentin, GFM Network News March 18, 2020

MarketsFarm — A sharp drop in the Canadian dollar helped lessen the blow of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ICE Futures canola market. However, volatility and uncertainty are expected to remain the feature in the upcoming weeks. Any strength in canola “is 100 per cent the Canadian dollar and nothing else,” said Ken Ball, of […] Read more

Farmer Brian Derksen seeds wheat on May 2, 2017 near Miami, Man., about 80 km south of Portage la Prairie. (Screengrab from Allan Dawson video)

General

Federal COVID-19 response for ag sector remains unclear

Imports of farm labour, crop inputs among concerns

By GFM Network News March 18, 2020

Canada’s agriculture sector is waiting on details of a federal response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic as its concerns pile up. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has stated it understands “the importance of a stable labour force enabling Canadian food supply, and (is) committed to giving Canadians and businesses the support they need” but is not […] Read more

Livestock

Call your vet before you go to clinic during COVID-19

Different vet clinics have adopted different protocols

By Alexis Kienlen, GFM Network News March 18, 2020

Animal welfare is paramount during COVID-19 — but so is human health. That’s why Darrell Dalton, registrar of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, recommends you call ahead before you go to your vet. “Different practices have taken different measures and different steps,” he said. “Some of the small practices are limiting the number of people […] Read more

Livestock, Markets

Livestock auction marts to decide on next steps

Livestock Marketing Association of Canada pondering next move in face of pandemic

By Alexis Kienlen, GFM Network News March 17, 2020

You may want to call first to see if it’s open, but many auction marts in Alberta were still having sales on Tuesday morning. The Livestock Marketing Association of Canada has a conference call set for this evening to discuss COVID-19 safety measures for staff, customers and buyers, said Chance Martin, an LMAC director and […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures climb higher to end week

Draft ‘MAHA’ commission report avoids pesticide crackdown feared by farm groups

U.S. grains: Corn, soybeans rise on short-covering ahead of weekend, crop tour

GFM Network News