When I want to give my mind a good bending, I read a layman’s version of theoretical physics. Both the macro and micro stuff. Books like A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking and Brian Greene’s Fabric of the Cosmos. The books are written in terms simplistic enough for even one like me – […] Read more
Ed White
Stories by Ed White
Silliness of the season
In journalism circles we call this “Silly Season.” There’s nothing going on with the government, with business, with industry, with anything in August. Everyone’s off at the beach, with the kids, and no one with any power to do anything cares about anything other than the weather forecast. So when something newsy does happen – […] Read more
Hog exit strategy interests produc ers
Hog farmers want out. According to leaders in the sector, many hog farmers are waiting on only one thing: more details on how the federal transition program designed to mothball barns will work. “It’s probably 20 to one,” said Manitoba Pork Council chair Karl Kynoch about the proportion of farmers calling about the mothballing payment […] Read more
Sunshine on farmers’ wish list
Farmers are hoping and praying for a couple of weeks of good weather to finish off their crops. For most, that would allow them to harvest a below-par but respectable crop. For others, it would prevent a poor crop becoming a terrible crop. “It would be a disaster right now,” said Sturgis, Sask., farmer Jim […] Read more
Sunshine on farmers’ wish list
Farmers are hoping and praying for a couple of weeks of good weather to finish off their crops. For most, that would allow them to harvest a below-par but respectable crop. For others, it would prevent a poor crop becoming a terrible crop. “It would be a disaster right now,” said Sturgis, Sask., farmer Jim […] Read more
Hog exit strategy interests producers
Hog farmers want out. According to leaders in the sector, many hog farmers are waiting on only one thing: more details on how the federal transition program designed to mothball barns will work. “It’s probably 20 to one,” said Manitoba Pork Council chair Karl Kynoch about the proportion of farmers calling about the mothballing payment […] Read more
Biofuel support hurts hog sector
On Aug. 15, federal politicians gathered in southeastern Manitoba to announce aid money and loans to keep the hog industry going. On Aug. 24, federal politicians gathered in southwestern Manitoba to announce government support for the biofuel industry. It made analyst Al Mussell wonder if he was taking crazy pills. “I get a little bit […] Read more
Canola prices may fall farther
A surprisingly bullish canola harvest production estimate from Statistics Canada has failed to get a rise out of the weak canola market, prompting analysts to wonder if canola has farther to drop. “The market isn’t reacting really well to it, so that puts my antenna up that canola could lose another $20 (per tonne),” said […] Read more
Many feed grain choices expected
Frost or not, livestock feeders aren’t worried about getting feed grain. There’s lots of corn in the United States and a chance of frost-damaged hard red spring wheat in Canada becoming available. That’s the reason Statistics Canada’s low barley production estimate didn’t stop the downward price path of prairie barley, brokers say. “Demand is lower […] Read more
Grain commission warns farmers on deregistered varieties
Farmers are getting stung when they deliver deregistered grain to elevators. However, the Canadian Grain Commission hopes to solve the problem by making a lot more noise when varieties are deregistered and convincing farmers that they stand to lose a lot if they don’t take it seriously. “This will be your warning,” said CGC acting […] Read more
