Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Livestock Traceability in Canada - Is it do-able?

Do you think the Federal Provincial Territorial Ministers (Canada) commitment at the FPT meeting this summer of having a full traceability system for Livestock in place by 2011 is achievable?

Views: 752

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rocky on October 6, 2009 at 1:07am
I think it can be - but the question I always wonder is who is paying for it? I'm not going to argue with the concept - I think it's good -- I just think it's really expensive that doesn't equal real results. I mean - shouldn't beef guys be making money with all the improved traceability and market access they've gotten? Is having a system for pigs going to help them make money? I don't think so.
Permalink Reply by Joe Dales on October 6, 2009 at 10:00am
Hi Sara:

I agree with some of the points Rocky makes.
The technology is certainly available to implement a system.

The issue is the cost/benefits - governments can mandate a system like in beef but can a system create the added value from a marketing price perspective to warrant the extra costs.

Are we generating a premium for Canadian Beef because of traceability over non traced beef on the world market or in any market.

Identity Preserved soybeans do generate a premium for the producer so they can decide to do the extra work for the extra revenue...so there are market driven models that do work.

Thanks,

Joe
Permalink Reply by pigsrgr8 on October 8, 2009 at 5:39am
Pretty low priority on hog farms these days.
Permalink Reply by Steve Twynstra on October 8, 2009 at 2:21pm
Not a chance for the non-SM sector....I give the SM sector a 95% chance of pulling it off. There will be a traceability scheme....a la gun control, eHealth, etc., but as far as being real-time current this will only be a dream. Without a clear and bankable economic benefit for participants it will be in perpetual disarray. Throw in the myriad of 'hobby' livestock practioners and I shudder at the resources about to be wasted. Not to say that it isn't a necessary idea, but the approach has been all wrong. Unlike IP crop production where the marketplace expects and rewards traceability, I just don't see the same pressure along the generic export livestock food chain beyond what is already existing. As for the idea of traceabilty to combat disease outbreaks...I see too many feathers flying overhead or wildlife around in its natural state to take much consolation. Unlike certain equipment dealers that record every size and make of every machine in their market area for competitve reasons, I just don't see the same degree of impetus driving this agenda by the processors.

However, if livestock processors or exporters are driving this agenda then WHY is public money and government so involved? Not content to lobby for the demise of local abattoirs thru overbearing food safety regs, or to rest after successfully passing the murder of 22 citizens thru tainted meat onto government, they have now successfully convinced decision makers to ante up public dollars to rebuild and enhance their marketing efforts. Will National Grocers be more content and pay a premium to stock Ontario livestock products over foreign product? I think our dollar approaching par will have more say. Now please tell me where I am wrong and what I am missing?
Permalink Reply by Steve Twynstra on October 8, 2009 at 2:22pm
..just another way for decision makers to divert their attention from the REAL issues facing Canadian agriculture!!
Permalink Reply by Bristow on January 9, 2010 at 8:11pm
It is a joke and puts extra cost on the product, if the meat is not edible all those meat inspectors are not doing their job are they. Plus the retard who came up with this whole concept should be run out of town as carpet bagger, and the money should be spent on something more practical. The consumer doesn't care and will only buy the cheap imported meat. An other example of miss management, and pricing your local product out of the market. An if you are a farm and don't see what it is, then more fool you. Doomsday book rember that passed history.

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Ontario Invests $22 Million to Create New Export Opportunities for Ontario food products

Canada and Ontario are investing nearly $22 million to help farmers and food processors grow exports, create jobs and strengthen the agri-food sector.

Canada Backs Smart Lettuce Farming

Canada is investing in new digital tools to help lettuce growers improve crop management, reduce waste, lower labor costs, and increase farm productivity.

Validating Autonomous Pivot’s field-monitoring technology on Innovation Farms

“Nothing is in the field more than the pivot, and yet most of them tell you very little, if anything at all, about the crop,” says Daniel Jenkins, vice president of sales for Autonomous Pivot. Autonomous Pivot’s technology uses cameras and ground penetrating radar to collect soil-moisture data, crop imagery, rainfall, pressure, GPS location, and irrigation activity to help growers make better irrigation and crop-management decisions. The company sees centre pivots, traditionally used exclusively for irrigation and fertigation, as underutilized pieces of equipment that are in the field more than any producer or agrologist. It aims to convert the centre pivot into its own reporting scout in the field. Autonomous Pivot installed its technology at EMILI’s Innovation Farms MacGregor site during the 2026 season. EMILI is validating the technology’s insights about field conditions, irrigation optimization, and pest and disease alerts. “Development is a tenuous process because you’re ask

This is Agriculture: Board Chair

Ray Bouchard has worked in the agriculture industry for 46 years in a career that has spanned sales roles in agriculture manufacturing and distributing, and leadership roles including more than a decade as CEO of Enns Brothers. For more than ten years, Ray has contributed his entrepreneurial spirit and strategic expertise as EMILI’s board chair. Here, Ray shares what makes him passionate about agriculture, and his vision for EMILI’s future success. Describe your role as EMILI’s board chair. In the early days of EMILI, I was more involved on the operational side of the organization but now that we’re 10 years in as an organization, I am focused on EMILI’s long-term strategy. Where did you grow up? Was it an agriculture or urban environment? I grew up just west of Winnipeg in Elie, Manitoba. You could call it a bedroom community of the city, but also it was an agricultural community. What was your first job in the agriculture or agri-food sector? I had a chance when I was in my teens to

Producers to discuss real-world impact of testing and validating agtech at Agriculture Enlightened

Farmers know farming best which is why the AIVA Network works with Canadian farmers to test and validate agtech and bring proven solutions to market. From validation hubs that operate on fully operational commercial farms, to farmer alliance members who provide structured feedback on market-ready technologies, this AIVA Network panel at Agriculture Enlightened will share perspectives on how testing and validating technology in real world conditions has real world impact. Carl Havixbeck is a farmer network success manager with AIVA Network. He has worked in the agricultural sector in Manitoba for over 30 years. His passion for agriculture started as a young boy on a family farm in Rosser, MB. After completing a certificate in diesel mechanics at Red River College, and then an agribusiness degree from the University of Manitoba, Carl began his farming career. Stepping away from the farm after 10 years, Carl began serving farmers directly within many different businesses and roles in the

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service