Stefanie Czub calls research in the United States on testing live animals for BSE interesting. But the Canadian Food Inspection Agency researcher also reminds producers that the current tests aren’t broken. “The problem we have right now with the surveillance is we need to get more animals into the labs for testing,” said Czub. International […] Read more
Stories by Dan Yates
Pulse processor suggests focus on niche markets
It’s a familiar refrain: a growing global middle class will provide a potential boon to Canadian agriculture and industry. And Murad Al-Katib, CEO of AGT Food and Ingredients, a major buyer and processor of pulse crops, expects Western Canada to be in the game as major agricultural exporters and food companies look to capitalize on […] Read more
Canadian taxpayers to ‘indirectly’ see CWB transition money returned: Ritz
Public funds used to help CWB transition post-single desk will be re-turned to taxpayers, says Canada’s agriculture minister, however, not right away. Officials estimate some $300 million was spent to assist CWB in the new environment since 2012. “In order to keep CWB viable they needed a foundation of taxpayers’ money to pay down the […] Read more
Canadian industry on guard as avian flu spreads in U.S.
With avian influenza in two bordering jurisdictions, Manitoba turkey producers are on high alert. “We are very concerned because the outbreaks are just south of the Manitoba border, the bulk of them in Minnesota,” said Bill Uruski, chair of the Manitoba Turkey Producers. “We’ve tried to alert producers and so far everybody seems to be […] Read more
Canada can’t afford to reject trade deal: commissioner
Canada can’t afford to reject trade deal: commissioner
A foreign diplomat with a distaste for Canada’s supply managed dairy sector is optimistic Canada will be at the table if, and when, a 12-country free trade deal is completed. It’s a subject that has stirred debate as Canada participates in negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a large trade pact that could provide greater access […] Read more
Device uses blood test to confirm bird virus
The nanobiosensor is designed to speed results so outbreaks can be quickly contained
An innovation at the University of Guelph could help the poultry industry react more quickly to costly avian influenzas. Suresh Neethirajan is still testing his nanobiosensor, but he said the portable device can quickly determine what type of virus is present, which significantly reduces the lag that occurs as producers and officials wait for laboratory […] Read moreMigrating birds focus of avian flu tracking
New testing technique collects bird feces from wetland sediment to check for virus presence and determine strain
The spread of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus has researchers taking a closer look at migratory birds. The wild animals, which aren’t affected by the flu, are believed to be a vector for the virus, which can quickly wipe out commercial poultry flocks. The H5N2 virus identified in British Columbia’s Frasier Valley in December […] Read moreFederal payments show decline
Federal program payments to Canadian farmers are continuing to decline, according to a new report from Agriculture Canada. The report, which was released last week, crunches numbers through 2013 and cites strong commodity prices as a contributing factor in the falling numbers. The document, An Overview of the Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food System, is issued […] Read more
Community pulls support for bison research project
Adam Hering travelled to the Alberta-Northwest Territories border to help an at-risk herd of wild bison known to carry bovine tuberculosis. Hering, a graduate student at the University of Saskatchewan, had hoped to develop a more effective diagnostic test for the disease but last week was dismantling his research project after local community groups withdrew […] Read more
Researcher examines obstacles to ag innovation
University of Saskatchewan professor tries to explain economic benefits of technology on food production, safety and trade
Stuart Smyth wears a few hats: university professor, researcher and, most recently, blogger. Smyth has launched a website, saifood.ca, in which he tackles hot button issues in the agriculture sector. Think genetically modified flax, rising chemical use on prairie farms and new crop trait approvals. A recent post about A & W’s “better beef” campaign, […] Read more
