Almost a year in the making, and nearly two years from the time an application could have been submitted, Canada's status as a negligible-risk country for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is one step closer. Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) announced this week that the Scientific Commission of the World Organization for... Read More

A Conservative private member's bill that aims to address the risks from biosecurity breaches and trespassing on farms was approved at the second reading stage in the House of Commons on Wednesday. Brought forward by Foothills MP John Barlow, Bill C-205 would amend the Health of Animals Act to "make it an offence to enter,... Read More

Ducks Unlimited Canada has appointed six new directors to its board, including several with agricultural backgrounds. Fawn Jackson, Colleen Dyck, John Eagle, Rob Penner, Sara Penner, and C. Ian Balfour were elected to volunteer roles during the wetland conservation organization’s board of directors meeting on Saturday. "We’re pleased to welcome these outstanding individuals to our... Read More

Alberta pork processing plants have been impacted by COVID-19 outbreaks and control measures, and as a result plants have closed or reduced slaughter capacity. Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau announced today that the AgriRecovery Framework will kick-in for Alberta, with up to $3 million available to assist hog producers impacted by processing shut... Read More

Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) announced an update on its Penitentiary Farm Program, which runs at Joyceville and Collins Bay Institutions at Kingston, Ontario. Offenders involved in the program have had the opportunity to learn technical, transferable and soft skills through their involvement in on-the-job and vocational training associated with the farming operations. Since 2019,... Read More

HALO Air Ambulance, based out of Medicine Hat, Alta., is drumming up funding through its first annual lottery. The prizes this year include standard early bird prizes of cash, but the final prize is a little different than a car or a showhome. On offer for the grand prize is $50,000 or the equivalent value... Read More

One of Canada's wealthiest families is committing $25 million to fund projects that help conserve prairie grasslands. The Weston Family Foundation says it will award grants to five organizations: Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation, Grasslands National Park (Parks Canada), and Meewasin Valley Authority. “The Canadian prairie grasslands are some... Read More