(Alice McFarlane/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup

Agriculture Roundup for Thursday April 23, 2020

Apr 23, 2020 | 8:56 AM

Alberta has launched workplace safety investigations into two beef processing plants afflicted with COVID-19 outbreaks.

There are probes underway at the Cargill plant near High River, Alta. and at the JBS Canada facility near Brooks.

The Cargill plant was shut down by the company on Monday has 440 cases of novel coronavirus among its workers and one death.

When illnesses linked to the plant from the surrounding community are added the total is 580 cases.

Alberta’s chief medical officer of health Deena Hinshaw said 96 workers at the JBS plant have the virus.

Responsive measures

Some Sask. farmers to get winter elk hunting permits next year to protect land

Mar 12, 2026

Buy Now, Pay Later!

Spring 2026 Early Buy Program

Mar 09, 2026

SARM Convention

Sask RMs gather to address come concerns

Mar 06, 2026

–

Efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 have reduced the risk of African Swine Fever (ASF) entering North America through international travel.

But there continues to be a risk of exposure through feed.

Swine Health Information Center executive director Paul Sundberg said international movement of people and food products has been recognized as a potential vector for the transmission of ASF into North America.

He said biosecurity measures such as distancing, staying at home or not travelling are the kinds of things the swine industry has been doing for years in trying to control disease.

Sundberg said mitigating risk includes sourcing feed products from areas of the world that don’t have African Swine Fever.

–

alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF