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: 742

▶ 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

CGC issues two licenses to start September

Companies in Sask. and Quebec received licenses recently

Irrimap Opens New Era of Smart Irrigation

Lethbridge Polytechnic developed Irrimap, a web-based tool that measures crop water use and helps farmers improve irrigation decisions, increase efficiency, and support precision agriculture practices.

Applications Open for AALP Class 22

Applications are now open for AALP Class 22, a leadership program that helps future agri-food leaders build skills, expand networks, and gain global perspectives through unique learning experiences.

CDC North Marks 75 Years of Agricultural Research and Crop Protection

What began as an 18-acre tree nursery has grown into a vital centre for plant health, disease surveillance and agricultural research in Alberta. Alberta’s Crop Diversification Centre North is celebrating 75 years of helping farmers protect their crops, confront emerging threats and prepare for the future. CDC North began in 1951 as a tree nursery on 18 acres of a former federal government fur farm outside Edmonton. Today, the 340-acre site is a hub for collaborative agricultural research, crop health surveillance and plant diagnostics. The centre now houses nine greenhouses, the Alberta Plant Health Lab, the province’s Bee Health Unit and Western Canada’s only seed potato repository. Its research plots and specialized facilities are also used by collaborators including the University of Alberta and Western Crop Innovations. “From strengthening crop health to fighting diseases and helping protect Alberta’s farmland, CDC North has been leading the way in agriculture research, crop hea

Alberta Harvest Lags as Farmers Race to Protect Crop Quality

Yield prospects remain strong across much of the province, but wet conditions and delayed crop development have Alberta’s harvest running well behind its normal pace. Alberta farmers are heading into harvest with the potential for an above-average crop—but many will need more warm, dry weather before they can get it into the bin. As of Aug. 25, just 5.6 per cent of all crops had been harvested across the province, according to the latest Alberta Crop Report. That compares with the five-year average of 15.2 per cent and the 10-year average of 12 per cent. The delayed start reflects a growing season marked by wet conditions, late seeding, slow emergence and uneven crop development across much of Alberta. Progress varies sharply by region. Farmers in southern Alberta had harvested 16.2 per cent of their crops by Aug. 25, compared with only 2.7 per cent in the Central Region. Harvest remained below one per cent in the North East, North West and Peace regions. Warm temperatures helped m

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service