Posts

Confused about how our food is produced? Here’s where you can find the facts

/20 Comments/in , , /by

If you care about how your food is produced, but find it hard to sort between facts and rhetoric in the media, you’re not alone. 

Here are some trusted resources which will help you bypass the misleading, contradictory and sometimes even incorrect information out there about food production:

Meet the farmers who grow your food

The Real Dirt on Farming is a booklet produced by Canadian farmers to help connect you with the food you eat. In it you’ll meet some of Canada’s farm families and learn about the realities of their work. You learn things like the difference between growing crops conventionally and organically, why and how farmers use pesticides, animal housing and animal welfare, environmental sustainability and technology.

Each Real Dirt on Farming blog story explores a specific issue, such as eggs, health and safety and the environment. Stop by The Real Dirt on Farming and hear from some of the people who are on the ground producing our food. 

Helping food producers do it right

The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity is a research organization that provides food producers with resources, training and dialogue. That work helps them understand what consumers want, and helps consumers find answers to their questions.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Their We grow a lot more than you may think online brochure explores the variety of crops our farmers produce, and how they stay ahead of the world in terms of quality, sustainability and competitiveness.

Know your beef

When it comes to beef, several highly respectable organizations provide information about how beef is produced, nutritional information, facts about environmental impacts and more:

Canada Beef has a series of highly informative fact sheets about beef, recipes and articles. Wondering about antibiotic use, how to make the perfect roast, water conservation or food safety? You’ll be sure to find the answer here.

Alberta Beef Producers also have information on such hot topics as hormones, antibiotics and raising cattle ethically, as well as a section for educators.

For information on codes of practice for the care and handling of beef cattle, environmental regulations, innovation and sustainability, check out the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association website.

Our own blog also has plenty of helpful information for consumers. Look under topics such as environment, animal care or food safety to find facts about Alberta beef.

3 ways the IAC supports agriculture during Stampede

/9 Comments/in /by

For ten days in July, the City of Calgary is all about livestock. The Calgary Stampede and Exhibition is a chance for people from around the world to don their cowboy duds and have some rodeo fun. For Alberta’s beef industry, though, it’s no vacation. Producers showcase their businesses and skills and become ambassadors for one of Alberta’s primary industries.

An organization that truly comes into its own during Stampede is the International Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee (IAC). Comprised of members and sponsors from all along the agriculture value chain, the committee provides a link between different agricultural communities, and with the people they feed.

IAC Committee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although the committee works hard all year organizing events and tours, the ten days of Stampede are a whirlwind of networking and educational opportunities designed to build community and support for the industry.

3 highlights of the committee’s Stampede activities

#1 “Where in the World Do You Farm?” This drop-in reception in the Agrium Western Event Centre is a chance for farmers from across the world to meet, network, and learn about business opportunities.

#2 The Agriculture and Agri-Food International Reception. Held in the Palomino Room on the Wednesday of Stampede week, this reception brings together government officials, dignitaries, industry members, producer associations and sponsors.

#3 The Canada-Mexico Agribusiness Opportunities Seminar. Now in its second year, the seminar is hosted in conjunction with the Consulate of Mexico in Calgary. It provides participants with a better understanding of the agribusiness prospects that exist between Canada and Mexico, and provides information on some of the ways these two countries are working to support mutual economic growth within the sector.

According to Bryan Walton, ACFA’s President and CEO, and an IAC committee member, “the ultimate goal is to spread the word of Stampede, promote the agriculture industry here and encourage return visits. It’s a great opportunity to do some serious business in a relaxed setting.”

In 2017, the IAC hosted more than 2,000 people in the drop-in reception room, and fed 430 people at the reception dinner. That’s a lot of contacts made, and a great deal of networking!

The work done to support trade and industry growth during Stampede is in alignment with the ACFA’s strategic priorities. You can read more in ‘How these four strategic priorities will build a better Alberta cattle feeding industry’.