There’s good news and some that’s not so good in this issue of Atlantic Beef & Sheep.

Farmers were relieved this fall when China reopened its doors to Canadian beef (Rib Ends, pg. 6) as producers lost an estimated $100 million during the four-month ban.

Trade tensions also affected the international wool market. “The current situation of widespread indecision and uncertainty has had a detrimental effect on all value chain partners within the entire wool textile industry,” Eric Bjergso, the Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers general manager, told attendees at their annual meeting. Emily Leeson reports that despite the trepidation, national sales increased 11.2 percent from 2017-18 (pg. 24).

But there are other challenges to be tackled. Weather conditions have left a number of farmers in the region looking for feed to get through the winter.

Les Halliday (Letter from the Island, pg. 36) explains that in Prince Edward Island, “The corn crop looked extremely good in August and was in line to potentially set yield records. Unfortunately, all of that came crashing to an end Sept. 7-8 when post-hurricane Dorian decided to pay a visit.”

And this coming February, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency plans, in our view, to prematurely implement new Health of Animals Regulations for transportation (pg. 21). Regional livestock producers will have to wait for CFIA clarification on some of its new rules before they know how their operations will be impacted. The Maritime Beef Council (MBC) and other organizations are very concerned “because of the lack of infrastructure in place to support the changes.”

Great strides have been taken by the Sheep Producers Association of Nova Scotia (SPANS). On page 27, Dan Woolley reports that SPANS has provincial support for its four-themed industry strategy.

Shepherds are also excited because next year, ram genetic evaluations will be conducted at the Maritime Beef Test Station (MBTS) in Nappan. AgSights will “work with Maritime extension specialists to organize sessions and webinars for producers, and design reports and tools for the genetic evaluation project.” Dan Woolley’s article (pg.26) on the upcoming expansion at the MBTS for the evaluations notes that “Using local knowledge and practical skills will create a long-term, consistent approach to regional sheep improvement.”

And ABS is going to take you on a visit to a number of farms.

On page 38, Emily Leeson recounts memories of the late Fletcher Ward, who quit school in Grade 8 to begin farming in Coldbrook, N.S.

Rusty Bittermann and Margaret McCallum (pg. 32) explain the different qualities and traits in the Belted Galloways, Kerrys, and American Milking Devons on Rustaret Farm in Shamrock, P.E.I.

Don McLean takes you to Fitzpatrick Mountain in Pictou County, N.S. to meet fibre arts expert Delia Burge and her Wensleydale sheep (pg. 28).

Joan LeBlanc introduces you to Tim Thomsen and Allison Lange (pg. 22) who operate an 838-acre beef and sheep farm near Port Elgin, New Brunswick.

And we’ll take you into the crowd at the Classic Heritage Beef Show, the New Brunswick Beef Expo, and the Dundas Beef Show for the best-in-show moments and results.

And we’ll wish our readers a wonderful Christmas, and a safe, prosperous 2020.