Global demand for Canada Prairie Spring Red wheat is expected to increase as international buyers see evidence that Canadian supplies are stable and growing. “We think there’s a very bright future for this type of wheat,” said Earl Geddes, chief executive officer of the Canadian International Grains Institute. “Consumer response has always been very positive, […] Read more
Brian Cross
Stories by Brian Cross
Foreign buyers get scoop on durum
Foreign buyers of Canadian durum toured Western Canada last week to see how Canadian durum is developed, produced, transported and shipped. The tour, organized by the Canadian International Grains Institute, was part of an ongoing effort to familiarize foreign customers with Canadian durum and to solidify Canada’s reputation as the world’s top producer of high […] Read more
Nitrogen shipments rise
Fertilizer use | Expert concerned about nutrient runoff
Nitrogen use on prairie farms continues to rise as growers across the West look to boost crop production and increase revenue. Statistics Canada’s fertilizer shipments survey shows the amount of nitrogen shipped to western Canadian markets increased by about 30 percent during the six-year period ending June 2012. Total nitrogen shipments to the Prairies in […] Read moreInvestment firm selling Sask. farmland
An Alberta-based investment company is selling more than 19,000 acres of farmland in Saskatchewan. Calgary-based Agcapita is in the process of winding up Farmland Fund I, the first of four farmland investment funds under the company’s management. The RRSP eligible fund was launched in early 2008 and deployed roughly $10 million in investment capital, which […] Read more
CIGI urges caution when changing variety registration
The top executive at the Canadian International Grains Institute says Canada’s grain industry must ensure than any changes made to the existing variety registration system do not have a negative impact on grain quality. “Canada’s grain industry built its reputation on quality … and one of the underpinnings of that is the variety registration system,” […] Read more
Nutrients recovered from wastewater
Saskatoon installs system | Process removes nutrients and produces a granular fertilizer
A Vancouver company that recovers phosphorus, nitrogen and other crop nutrients from municipal wastewater is hoping its deal with the City of Saskatoon is the first of many similar agreements to be signed in Western Canada. Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies recently installed a $4.5 million nutrient recovery system in Saskatoon’s wastewater treatment plant. The system […] Read more
Saskatchewan government vows quick action on water drainage
New rules that deal with agricultural drainage in Saskatchewan could be in place by early 2015. Saskatchewan environment minister Ken Cheveldayoff says new regulations that deal with agricultural drainage will become a priority once Saskatchewan’s Water Security agency concludes a seven-month consultation process, which runs from Sept. 1 to March 31, 2014. After that is […] Read more
Seed company pledges $1.5 M to Crop Development Centre
Wheat breeding | FP Genetics invests in Canadian Prairie Spring wheat program based out of University of Saskatchewan
A Saskatchewan seed company plans to invest $1.5 million in a Canadian Prairie Spring (CPS) wheat breeding program at the University of Saskatchewan. Regina-based FP Genetics announced Aug. 14 that it will invest the money over the next 10 years to support CPS wheat breeding initiatives at the Crop Development Centre (CDC), located on the […] Read moreAg Canada seeking feedback on proposed changes to variety registration system
Ottawa is seeking feedback from farmers, seed growers and others on proposed changes to Canada’s variety registration system. Agriculture Canada has posted an on-line document entitled Crop Variety Registration in Canada: Issues and Options. The document, which can be viewed on Agriculture Canada’s website, outlines measures that could be taken to streamline Canada’s variety registration […] Read more
Sask. planning drainage rule changes
New rules that deal with agricultural drainage in Saskatchewan could be in place by early 2015. Saskatchewan environment minister Ken Cheveldayoff says new regulations that deal with agricultural drainage will become a priority once Saskatchewan’s Water Security agency concludes a seven-month consultation process, which runs from Sept. 1 to March 31, 2014. After that is […] Read more
