U.S. SEEN APPROVING BRAZIL FRESH BEEF IMPORTS . . . COPC P.E.I. JOB OPENING . . . LING DISAPPOINTED WITH MOVE BY CO-OP ATLANTIC . . . BARRIERS TO FARM GROWTH . . . U.S. HERD REBUILDING DOESN’T SUIT EVERYONE . . . OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

U.S. SEEN APPROVING BRAZIL FRESH BEEF IMPORTS
Source: Grainews
Brazil’s agriculture ministry said on Friday the U.S. is likely to approve imports of Brazilian fresh beef this year, after President Dilma Rousseff visits Washington in June. Brazil, the world’s top beef exporter, is already a steady exporter of cooked beef that appears in items such as canned corned beef to the U.S. The agriculture ministry said in an emailed statement that the U.S. had promised the first shipments of fresh beef could occur in August. (read more)

COPC P.E.I. JOB OPENING
Source: AtlanticFarmer.com
Request for Expressions of Interest for Organic Research Coordination activities for the Prince Edward Island Certified Organic Producers Cooperative. The P.E.I. Certified Organic Producers Cooperative (COPC) represents the organic sector on P.E.I. The COPC is a democratically structured organization that takes direction from its membership; Island farmers that are certified organic or are in transition to organic production. The P.E.I. COPC is responsible for helping advance P.E.I.’s organic industry through research coordination, organizing membership training and networking events, and lobbying government for continued support for the organic industry. (read more)

LING DISAPPOINTED WITH MOVE BY CO-OP ATLANTIC
Source: Island Farmer
The decision by Co-op Atlantic to exit the food wholesale business will leave farmers with one less outlet to sell their products and consumers with reduced choices, predicts the women’s district director of the National Farmers Union. Edith Ling said she was “shocked” when she heard the recommendation from the board of directors of Co-op Atlantic to “divest itself of its corporate food and gas retail and wholesale assets and exit the food and fuel wholesale business.” The board is recommending Co-op Atlantic enter into a purchase and sale agreement with Sobeys. (read more)

BARRIERS TO FARM GROWTH
Source: ThinkFarm
Do you want to grow your farm? Are there barriers preventing you from achieving the size of farm you would like to have? The Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture (NSDA), through its THINKFARM program, would like to hear about the barriers that you face in trying to grow your farm and are requesting that you complete an anonymous survey to tell us. The survey will take 5-10 minutes and will help us to understand the issues you are facing. (read more)

U.S. HERD REBUILDING DOESN’T SUIT EVERYONE
Source: The Beef Site
Signs of recovery are evident in the U.S. cattle industry after drought-induced herd liquidation, but this is not good news for some. Australians have been warned this week that their cattle might need more consideration from the middle of this year, both in terms of stocking and marketing. Although it may be some time off, an “over-correction” in U.S. cattle numbers will impact Australian exports. This is according to Meat and Livestock Australia, which told its producers that market diversity is “imperative.” (read more)