A new perspective on health is taking root around the world. This new view sees ecosystem health, animal health and human health as interconnected and considers the role each plays in disease transmission and food safety.

As a catalyst for change, ALMA has created the One Health Roadmap to focus on specific areas pertaining to the livestock and meat sector while recognizing this is a multi-stakeholder One Health conversation.

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Albertans – from producers to consumers - are reaping the benefits of Centennial Foodservice’s plant expansion initiative. The initiative brought new customers wanting made-in-Alberta specialty burgers, leading Centennial to develop and market a new meat product: the Sterling Silver Burger. In the first four months of production, sales of this burger had surpassed the company’s previously set record for the introduction of a new meat product. More>>

For Alberta’s meat industry, staying competitive and profitable on the international stage requires insight into, and knowledge of, the European market. To facilitate a better understanding of buyer needs, market barriers and new business models, the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA) recently travelled to Europe to help Alberta businesses make valuable connections that are already generating results. More>>

The purpose of this report was to gather information in regards to agriculture's interest and intent in the field of diagnostics.

Alberta’s hog industry has faced several years of economic challenges and poor profitability.  The Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA) initiated the study An Assessment of Hog Price Discovery in Alberta to provide an in-depth evaluation of Alberta’s hog prices and support the dialogue on pricing in Alberta.

The study draws a number of conclusions including:

• Alberta prices are lower than other jurisdictions. However, they may not be as sharply discounted when comparing commercial realities and production costs; and
• industry could strengthen areas such as forward price contracts, voluntary price reporting and increasing value added processing;

The study suggests that stakeholders look at the comments directed at them and respond accordingly.  Everyone has a stake in ensuring that industry is operating efficiently, with a goal to becoming healthy and competitive.

Click here to view the Executive Summary
Click here to view the full Assessment

Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA) board members and management met with Mr. Mar and Dr. Wenran Jiang in late November to discuss market access to Asian markets.

As the recently named trade representative to Asia, Mr. Mar will work to enhance Alberta’s presence in Asia, while cultivating opportunities for the province. Dr. Jiang is the Mactaggart Research Chair, China Institute, University of Alberta. He has written extensively on the rise of China and its impact on the rest of the world.  More>>

Research project developing genomics tools to predict meat quality

Continually improving the quality of meat  products  is  key  to  increasing the   competitiveness   of   Alberta’s beef industry, at home and abroad.  Ongoing   genomics   research   into carcass composition and meat  quality is providing the knowledge required.  Now,   ALMA   is   participating   in  a  project that will put genomics tools into  breeders’  hands  to  accurately predict meat quality.  Click picture to read more.

Congratulations to Dr. David Chalack, Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA) Board Chair,on his induction into the 2011 Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame. 

Click on picture to see full article or click on the link for the video:

 2011 Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees: Dr. David Chalack

 Congratulations to Kim McConnell, ALMA board director, on being named the ‘2011 Agri-Marketer of the Year’ at a recent Canadian Agri-Marketing Association (CAMA) awards ceremony.

Throughout Kim’s professional career, he has championed several national and international brand and marketing assignments for numerous companies such as Farm Credit Canada and UFA.

Under Kim’s leadership, AdFarm received numerous creative and marketing awards and was recognized more than once as one of “Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies” and one of the “Best Places to Work in Canada” (Canadian Business magazine).

Kim is also the recipient of many national business awards including finalist for the 2006 and 2007 Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur of the Year” (Prairie Region); 2006 Canadian Youth Business Foundation “Mentor of the Year”; and the 2005 KPMG “Quantum Shift Award.”

Well done Kim! ALMA’s board and staff are proud to have you on our team.

Read more: CAMA '2011 Agri-Marketer of the Year'

Local food manufacturers benefit from state-of-the-art research and production facility.

Business is good for Siwin Foods Ltd. and Fresk-O, local food manufacturers and ALMA grant recipients, with help from Alberta’s Food Processing Development Centre in Leduc.  Siwin Foods Ltd., located in Spruce Grove, produces authentic Asian food made with Canadian ingredients, while Calgary’s Fresk-O produces Latin cheeses.

Read more: Food manufacturers flourish in Alberta's idea incubator

Edmonton Journal

Calgary Herald

ALMA, together with its Alberta agriculture stakeholder partners, is a proud supporter of Taste Alberta and the series’ focus on Alberta food.

For information on Taste Alberta, visit www.edmontonjournal.com/life/taste/index.html or follow them on twitter @TasteAlberta