Argentina bans beef exports

Argentina has banned beef exports in an effort to stop rising prices, but farmers and ranchers are worried it might last years, not the 30 days the government has officially announced.

Fifteen years ago a ban that was supposed to last six months stayed in place for 10 years and farmers and ranchers say that led to a herd reduction of 12 million cattle.

The beef industry lost 10,000 jobs, they said.

Beef prices have risen 65 per cent in the last year and by 22.2 per cent in the last three months.

With overall inflation rising more than four per cent per month, President Alberto Fernández said, ”I have watched with great concern what happened in March and April, and I am not willing to sit idly by. I am very determined to take care of the price issue and put things in order.”

Watershed funding for conservation

The federal and provincial governments are offering farmers more than $2.5 million to continue improving conservation in the watersheds draining into Lakes Erie and St. Claire.

The new round of funding is enough to support 220 farmer-led projects, adding to about 700 that have been completed.

 

Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said "this is a great story of collaboration to tackle a pressing environmental concern. 

“Together, working side-by-side . . . we are helping give farmers the resources they need to continue adopting sustainable practices.” 

“This initiative will go a long way to improving farmers’ soil health and the water quality in the Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair watershed areas." 

Ontario Agriculture Minister Ernie Hardeman also praised the co-operation of farmers.

Koreans generate ersatz pork

Researchers at South Korea’s Sejong University have cultured pork from a sample of muscle cells, reports Korea Economic Daily.

The team was led by Professor Park Sungkwon at the University of Sejong’s food science department and began the project in 2018. 

“We can open up the possibility of securing the fundamental technology for cultured meat production," Professor Park said in a statement. "We are aiming to advance this technology for commercialization through further research and optimization.”

The team has also working towards culturing beef and is expected to publish results from their research later this year.

Research and development are proceeding at a rapid pace, mainly in the United States and Singapore. Memphis Meats, now named Upside Foods, has said it plans to have cell-cultured chicken nuggets on the market before the end of this year.

Politician appointed to appeals tribunal

Betty Ann MacKinnon has been appointed to a two-year term on the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Tribunal.

She is a council member for the Township of Adelaide Metcalfe and a retired administrator for the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex.

Her community involvement includes serving as a treasurer for the Quad County Support Services Board of Directors.

Farm tax change passes House of Commons

Federal politicians have given third reading to Bill C-208 that will amend the Income Tax Act so farms and small businesses that pass to children or grandchildren will be taxed the same way as sales to non-family people.

The bill now goes to the Senate which resumes sitting on May 25.

The bill was introduced by Conservaite MP Larry Maguire of Brandon-Souris riding in Manitoba; it is rare for a private member’s bill to gain House of Commons approval.

Maguire said, when a person sells their small business or farm to a family member, the difference between the sale price and the original purchase price is considered a dividend, but if the business instead goes to a non-family member, the sale is deemed a capital gain, which is taxed at a lower rate and allows sellers to use their lifetime capital gains exemption. 

“I think we can all agree that it is completely unfair for the tax rate to be significantly higher when the farmer sells his operation to his son rather than to a third party who, in many cases, is a complete stranger,” Maguire said in the House of Commons.

Barry Senft to head Seeds Canada

Seeds Canada has hired Barry Senft, who recently left the top job at Grain Farmers of Ontario, as its first executive director.

He helped launch Grain Farmers of Ontario, formed from a merger of associations for corn, wheat and soybeans, so he has experience launching new agriculture orgsnizations.

“We look forward to welcoming Barry to our organization. His national experience in the grain sector, understanding of agriculture issues and extensive experience in strategic development and leadership will be an asset,” said Ellen Sparry, president of Seeds Canada.

“We are excited about Barry’s vision for Seeds Canada and the leadership he will bring as we continue to build a progressive, modern, competitive, growing seed sector in Canada.”

Senft has more 30 years experience in the private and public agri-business sectors, including executive director of the Canadian International Grains Institute, chief commissioner with the Canadian Grain Commission and second vice-president of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool.

Seeds Canada is a merger of the Canadian Plant Technology Agency, the Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada, the Canadian Seed Institute and the Canadian Seed Trade Association.

The Canadian Seed Growers Association decided to remain independent.

Barge traffic resumes on Mississippi

Corn and soybeans are on barges headed down the Mississippi River once again, thanks to a decision by the U.S. Coast Guard to reopen the Hernando de Soto Bridge between Memphis, Tenn., and Arkansas.

The bridge on Interstate 40 was closed on Tuesday after a crack was discovered in a steel beam during a routine, federally mandated inspection that occurs about every two years.

After review on Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard said river traffic was safe to resume and reopened the bridge, according to a press release.

As of Friday, there were 62 vessels and 1,058 barges in the queue, the release said.