Japan relaxes rules on Canadian beef imports Sunday, January 27, 2013 by SUSAN MANNCanada’s beef industry got a huge boost today after Japan agreed to further relax its limitations on Canadian beef exports.Martin Unrau, president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, says today’s exciting federal government announcement is very significant for Canadian beef farmers. The Japanese decision goes into effect Friday and means beef from Canadian cattle under 30 months old will be eligible for shipment to Japan for the first time in nearly a decade. The current requirement only permits boneless beef exports from animals less than 21 months of age.The increased market access will breathe new life into the Canadian beef sector, he notes.Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced the expanded market access for Canada at a press teleconference in Ottawa today. The beef products included in the Japanese agreement are boneless, bone-in and select offal, he says.“This achievement is the result of a lot of hard work on the part of the government working shoulder-to-shoulder with industry both here in Canada and through our embassy in Japan,” Ritz says. “I’d like to give a special thanks to Dr. Gary Little, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency vet who carried this file.”Ritz says Canada is also very appreciative “to Japan for arriving at this science-based outcome and taking this important step.”Speaking at the press conference, Unrau says the new rule will essentially double the number of cattle eligible to be used for beef production for Japan and “enable Canada to export on a year round basis.” The beef access expansion enables Canadian beef exporters to better serve Japanese meat importers who wanted a steady year-round supply. But it wasn’t possible to provide that as part of the beef export restriction to animals under 21 months of age.Japan is Canada’s third largest export market for beef. Canadian exports of beef from animals under 21 months of age for the past three years were worth about $70 to $75 million annually. The increased access is expected to double the potential market value to the range of $140-$150 million a year, according to figures provided by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.Since the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) outbreak in 2003, the government and industry have been working hard to reopen markets and gain full market access for Canadian beef.Ritz says in working towards full market access, Canada has used a staged access agreement like the one it’s using with Japan in other countries and now has full access for beef in regions such as Hong Kong. Staging access “helps us to build and manage the growth of our industry over the next few years,” he notes. BF Ontario's premier designate takes on agriculture Red tape hits farmers hard
Designed by Farmers, For Famers: The Better Way to Fence Friday, March 28, 2025 BY: Zahra Sadiq Tired of expensive traditional fence posts that fail to secure your property? Electrical fence posts offer a cost-effective, reliable solution for farmers looking to boost security without breaking the bank. PlusPost offers electric fence posts made from 99% recycled... Read this article online
Lynmark Farms named Master Breeder for 2025 Wednesday, March 26, 2025 The Canadian Milking Shorthorn Society has announced that Lynmark Farms has been named as a herd for 2025. Lynmark Farms is owned and operated by Tim Shearer and Irene Vietinghoff of Norwood, Ontario. They are the third Milking Shorthorn herd to be recognized as a since this... Read this article online
Ontario Mega Farm Faces Market Chill Wednesday, March 26, 2025 A large working farm in Ontario, one of the province’s biggest on the market, is facing difficulties finding a buyer. Listed at $72.1 million, the 2,300-acre property is located near Lake Erie in Elgin County, spanning both Malahide Township and Central Elgin. Despite its prime agricultural... Read this article online
It’s been a while… Tuesday, March 25, 2025 The International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) is coming to the Niagara Region this fall, providing a unique opportunity to showcase the community’s agricultural diversity and natural beauty. The annual event is hosted in a different community each year, with this year’s... Read this article online
Nutrien Ag Solutions launches its 2025 Hometown Yield Challenge Monday, March 24, 2025 Nutrien Ag Solutions has launched its second year of the , and is again available to growers in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Nutrien Ag Solutions is the retail division of Nutrien Ltd., a leading global provider of crop inputs and services. Enrollment is open until April 11,... Read this article online