China is Canada’s third largest export market for barley, but a recent trade deal may put it at a disadvantage
The recently announced China-Australia free trade agreement puts Canadian barley at a disadvantage in one of the world’s most promising markets, says the Barley Council of Canada. The trade deal, which was announced in November, removes tariffs on an array of agricultural products entering China, including meat, live animals and wine. Tariffs won’t be eliminated […] Read moreStories by Dan Yates
Materials matter
When it comes to lagoon liners and covers, Chris Ulmann says he sees more of some things than others. Intensive livestock operations can use a naturally occurring protective layer, compacted soil or synthetic liners when constructing a lagoon. Ulmann, who works with Alberta Agriculture, said he sees more compacted soils than synthetics, but there are […] Read more
Many factors to consider before breaking ground
The definition of a lagoon is pretty straight forward as far as the Saskatchewan health ministry is concerned. “A lagoon is a large gently sloped basin in the ground that is designed to contain sewage,” it says. “The liquid is disposed of through evaporation, while the solids are retained and broken down by micro-organisms.” However, […] Read more
Project spins brown into gold
Turning manure into energy isn’t cheap, but it could be economically feasible for a large western Canadian feedlot, according to the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute. The feasibility study conducted by the research facility is part of its ongoing study into manure and biogas production. Many farms in Europe and parts of Canada are already making […] Read more
Farmers told to keep it simple
There are more products available to farmers than there is good information, say the results of a two-year Canola Council of Canada study. Trials that tested several potentially yield boosting products and practices have found that tried and true best management practices win out more often than they lose. “It really comes down to buyer […] Read more
Advance payment program changes to include livestock sector
Forthcoming legislation that will overhaul plant breeders’ rights in Canada will also introduce changes to a cash advance program for farmers. Bill C-18, which is currently before the Senate, will make several modifications to the Advance Payments Program (APP), simplifying some applications and broadening the scope of eligible farms. However, the changes will not increase […] Read more
CWB lawsuit documents filed in court
Farmers behind a class action lawsuit against the federal government are continuing their march to Canada’s highest court. Documents related to their case regarding CWB pool account funds were filed Dec. 16, according to a news release. The Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board had originally filed a $17 billion suit related to the dismantling […] Read more
Resistant canola may be no match for new clubroot
Don’t panic yet | Cultivars still appear to be resistant in most fields, says agronomist
Alberta officials are investigating further evidence that existing clubroot resistant canola cultivars are vulnerable to a new strain of the disease. The strain was discovered last year after materials were collected from six fields in the Edmonton area that showed higher-than-normal disease incidence. From that, Stephen Strelkov of the University of Alberta was able to […] Read moreCanada’s push for more market access may backfire
Dairy protections on hot seat | Chicken Farmers of Canada say supply management and international trade are ‘absolutely compatible’
An aggressive trade agenda that has improved market access for Canadian beef and pork producers has also prompted some exporting nations to eye the country’s supply managed dairy sector. However, officials in Canada’s supply managed sectors contend that greater access into Canada’s dairy, poultry and egg markets aren’t imperative to ongoing trade talks. “Supply management […] Read moreTime to rethink pigs’ nutritional needs: expert
Iron deficiency | Piglets deficient in the nursery stage led to lighter weights and susceptibility to disease
Increased productivity from modern pigs may result in more anemic animals, says a veterinarian. Recommendations for iron supplementation were established decades ago, Robert Friendship of the University of Guelph told the recent Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium. “Here’s another thing that we do day in and day out and we’ve always done it the same way,” […] Read more
