Keystone Processors Blog

On June 24, 2010, the Honorable Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan secured a breakthrough agreement with Mainland China to allow market access for Canadian beef.

The Canada Beef Export Federation expects that this agreement, which calls for a staged approach leading to full market access, will see sales of Canadian bovine products to the combined markets of Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau increase by $110 million to $175 million when full access has been achieved.

“This is a historical day where the barriers are coming down for Canada in Mainland China in advance of other countries who have diagnosed BSE in their markets,” says Ted Haney, President of the Canada Beef Export Federation. “Mainland China was one of the last two countries to maintain a complete ban on Canadian beef.”

Prior to BSE, Canada in 2002 sold a peak $35 million of bovine tallow to the Mainland China market alone; and $3.5 million in beef products to the combined markets of Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Keystone Processors welcomes this breakthrough agreement with China, as access to the tremendous and growing market of Mainland China will benefit the entire Canadian industry. The additional value earned by Canadian beef processors and exporters will support stronger Canadian cattle prices, contributing to stability and prosperity for cattle producers across Canada.

Buy Local, Environment, Manitoba cattle Agriculture Minister, Beef Export, China, Gerry Ritz, Hong Kong, Macau, market access, Prime Minister, Stephen Harper

We were really pleased to hear that on Tuesday, the Canadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Trade Minister Peter Van Loan announced that Panama has partially re-opened its domestic markets to imports of breeding cattle and bovine genetics.

“The Government of Canada is pleased with Panama’s decision to re-open its market to Canadian cattle exports,” Minister Van Loan said in a statement issued in Ottawa, Ont. “This is great news for Canada’s cattle industry.”

Canada’s cattle industry has been battling to regain access to foreign markets it lost in 2003 with the discovery of the first native born case of BSE.

Ritz said, “Market by market, we are creating more opportunities for farmers to benefit from expanded sales to more consumers around the world.”

The announcement follows the signing of the Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement on May 14th. The agreement will eventually allow for duty free access for all Canadian beef to Panama.

Improving access to international markets is extremely important for adding value to Canadian cattle. We’re hopeful it’s a sign that Keystone Processors and Manitoba cattle producers will be able to expand our market and deliver premium, nutritious beef to more tables.

Keystone Processors Ltd. is focused on raising the best quality cattle with the benefit of top notch farming practices. Our goal is to bring branded Manitoba beef products such as Natural Prairie Beef to the world.

Environment, Export markets, Government policy, Manitoba cattle, Natural beef cattle industry, domestic markets, farmers, Free Trade Agreement, opportunities, Panama

Did you know that nearly 19 percent of men and 31 percent of women have protein intakes that are below the current Recommended Dietary Allowance?

The Beef Checkoff teamed up with the 2010 John Hancock Sports and Fitness Expo Boston Marathon Weekend to inform runners and spectators about the protein power found in lean beef.

Sixteen runners wore BEEF jerseys at this year’s Boston Marathon and all were fueled to the finish with beef!

Team BEEF extended the message to fellow runners and spectators, that incorporating high quality protein into the diet throughout the day can help in maintaining a healthy weight, building muscle and fueling physical activity.

What a great way to promote beef! Have you seen runners or know of any interesting ways beef is being promoted?

Community, Environment, Natural beef, Nutrition, Photos Boston Marathon, high protein, john hancock sport, rcommended dietary allowance, runnders team beef

The Canadian Beef Export Federation has estimated that the Colombian market for Canadian beef exports is small, worth about $6 million.

Improving access to international markets is extremely important for adding value to Canadian cattle. We’re hopeful it’s a sign that Keystone Processors and Manitoba cattle producers will be able to expand our market and deliver premium, nutritious beef to more tables. Read more…

Community, Environment, Export markets, Manitoba cattle Canadian Beef Export Federation, Columbia, Manitoba Cooperator, Natural Prairie Beef

The Cattlemen’s Beef Board in the U.S. has launched an interesting campaign to fight misinformation about the beef industry. They’re calling it the “Food Fight” and it aims to mobilize people in the cattle and dairy industries to counter some of the incorrect or misleading information that seems to be reported more and more these days.

One of the main points they’re raising is the myth that farms are all dominated by heartless, mindless corporations. Farmers in the U.S. and Canada are bombarded daily with accusations that we mistreat our animals and pollute the environment. Read more…

Environment, Manitoba cattle Cattlemen's Beef Board

One of many top restaurants and food service operations opting for premium, Manitoba beef

Winnipeg, October 1, 2009 – A growing number of Manitoba’s top chefs and restaurants are now serving premium, Manitoba-raised beef from Keystone Processors Ltd. The Winnipeg-based, farmer-owned beef plant has landed more than 40 retail and restaurant clients since it opened earlier this year, including the high profile and high volume casino restaurants operated by Manitoba Lotteries.

“Manitoba Lotteries proudly uses the best products available from local farmers, manufacturers and suppliers,” said Manitoba Lotteries President and CEO Winston Hodgins. “When it comes to our casino restaurants, buying food locally makes sense from economic and environmental perspective. We welcome the addition of premium beef from Keystone Processors to our menus, and invite our guests to enjoy the great tastes of Manitoba that we offer.”

Other Keystone Processors restaurant clients include Amici’s, Bailey’s Restaurant and Bar, Bistro 7 ¼, Billabong Restaurant and Bar, Fusion Grill, Inferno Bistro, Ivory Restaurant, Maple Tree Restaurant and Steakhouse, Mise Restaurant, Pineridge Hollow, and Sevala’s Catering. Read more…

Buy Local, Environment, Export markets, News Release, Restaurants Amici Restaurant, Bailey's Restaurant and Bar, Billabong Australian Restaurant and Bar, Bistro 7 1/4, Fusion Grill, Inferno Bistro, Ivory Restaurant, Manitoba Lotteries, Maple Tree Restaurant and Steakhouse, Mise Restaurant, Pineridge Hollow, Sevala's Catering, Winnipeg Casinos, Winston Hodgins

The reason that Keystone Processors’ beef is so healthy has a lot to do with the quality-conscious beef producers we buy from.

The Manitoba cattle industry history extends back to the pioneers. Historically our farms have remained smaller than some of the major ‘factory farms’ you’ll find in other parts of the continent. So our producers have tended to focus on quality over quantity.

Manitoba cattle are often raised in smaller herds. There are not massive feedlots like in other places in Canada and the US. Most Manitoba cattle are raised on pastureland, this means that in the summer they wander free, eating natural plants and grasses. In the winter, the cattle eat the hay that has been harvested from the fields of local farmers. Read more…

Environment, Manitoba cattle, Uncategorized Keystone Processors, manitoba

The 100-mile diet was a phenomenon that started from two people wanting to do something that was good for the environment and good for them. They decided that for one year they would eat only food that was grown within a 100-mile radius of their home. Eating locally grown or raised food isn’t always easy.

Manitobans have demanded stores carry an increasing variety of local foods over the past few years though. That’s just one of the many reasons why Keystone Processors is coming to market with its Manitoba-raised beef. Read more…

Buy Local, Environment, Manitoba cattle, Nutrition 100 Mile Diet, Keystone Processors