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: 685

▶ 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

McDonald’s Canada and Cargill Further Champion Youth Leadership in Beef Sustainability through partnership with the CRSB

The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) is proud to announce support from McDonald’s Canada and Cargill for its CRSB Council Youth Position, reinforcing their commitment to sustainability and amplifying the voices of young leaders in the Canadian beef industry. The position, an Ex-Officio (non-voting) role established in 2025, was added to the CRSB Council to ensure youth perspectives are represented and embedded in our approaches to beef sustainability now and in the future. This financial support for the position provided by McDonald’s Canada and Cargill will enable full participation in CRSB Council, member and other events for the next three years. The objectives of this CRSB Council youth position are to provide a platform for youth to actively participate in and contribute youth perspectives to the CRSB; to learn from, engage and collaborate with the multi-stakeholder representatives on the CRSB Council, and to provide youth governance experience and mentorship oppor

Purchasing the right bull can quickly move your beef herd toward your production goals. However, buying the right bull doesn’t start on sale day; it begins months in advance.

Purchasing the right bull can quickly move your beef herd toward your production goals. However, buying the right bull doesn’t start on sale day; it begins months in advance. #1: Establish Short- and Long-Term Breeding Goals Before looking at bulls, identify what you want your herd to achieve in the short and long-term. Your breeding program should align with your operation’s resources, management style and future plans. For example, knowing the traits that you want your calves to have (e.g. lighter birth weight, better growth, carcass quality, maternal traits), will better prepare you to match those goals with the genetic potential offered by available bulls. #2: Determine the Traits to Focus On Based on your goals, determine which traits to select for. As an example, if you are breeding first calf heifers, selecting bulls with higher calving ease is essential. In contrast, if you are not retaining replacement females and sell all calves after backgrounding, consider focusing on

Former ag minister Ritz remembers working with Prime Minister Harper

The former prime minister had his official portrait unveiling last week

Bonnefield joins Canadian Agriculture Investment Coalition

Bonnefield joined an investment coalition aiming to invest up to five billion dollars in Canadian agriculture and food innovation by 2030 to support growth and long-term success.

FCC Rallies Investor Coalition to Deploy Up to $5 Billion in Ag Innovation

Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has convened a coalition of more than 20 investment organizations collectively prepared to deploy up to $5 billion into Canadian agriculture and food innovation by 2030, marking what it describes as a generational investment opportunity for the sector. 

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service