An Ontario man is now more than a month into a hunger strike he started Sept. 29 to protest a ban on raw cow milk for human consumption. Michael Schmidt said he has taken the drastic step in an attempt to bring further publicity to his long-standing battle with the federal government over the right […] Read more
Stories by John B. Pluck
Rural water quality focus of survey
A lack of research on drinking water in rural western Canada was the impetus behind a study underway at the University of Saskatchewan. Cheryl Waldner of the School of Public Health and the Western College of Veterinary Medicine is collecting data on the source and quality of drinking water supplies in rural Saskatchewan with graduate […] Read more
House of Commons committee gets grain industry wish list
Research and trade were front and centre when the House of Commons finance committee touched down in Saskatoon last week. The committee is touring the country as it gathers public input on what should be in next year’s federal budget. Crop Life Canada and Grain Growers of Canada were two of the groups to appear […] Read more
Ag lobby focuses on research, trade at finance committee
Crop Life Canada and Grain Growers of Canada appeared before a House of Commons finance committee meeting in Saskatoon yesterday, asking the federal government to boost trade negotiations, reduce trade barriers and reinvest royalties from successful Agriculture Canada innovations into current research. Dennis Prouse of Crop Life Canada asked government to pursue changes to trade […] Read more
Industrial products get new life on the farm
An American company has figured out how to profit from the second R in the reduce-reuse-recyle mantra of environmentalism. Repurposed Materials of Denver, Colorado, markets used products and materials from various industries that producers can convert to multiple uses on the farm. Owner Damon Carson said reusing materials in agriculture is nothing new for most […] Read more
Researcher honoured for work in ethology
Harold Gonyou has filled many roles in his professional life and is no stranger to recognition for his contributions to agriculture. His most recent recognition came in August when he was inducted as an Honorary Fellow of the International Society for Applied Ethology. The retired Prairie Swine Centre researcher’s induction marks only the 16th time […] Read more
Company seeks increase in container returns
A company that recycles 4.5 million pounds of plastic a year from empty farm pesticide containers doesn’t believe it has gone far enough. Clean Farms Inc.’s new recycling awareness campaign provides information to farmers and commercial pesticide dealers about the environmental benefits of recycling. General manager Barry Friesen said he believes farmers need to be […] Read more
Global food security in the spotlight at Cairns Group 36th ministerial meeting
The 36th Cairns Group ministerial meeting in Saskatoon marks the first time group members have discussed ways scientific innovations and rules-based trade have the potential to meet global food security objectives. At a press conference today, Gerry Ritz, federal agriculture minister, said members are in agreement that food production must be doubled in the next […] Read more
Feedlot operators to benefit from new genetic technology
The federal government announced Tuesday that Quantum Genetics Canada Inc. will receive $750,000 funding. The money will be used to help the company commercialize new genetic technology to more feedlot operators in North America. The core of this new innovation is DNA testing. A sample of the each animal is taken at the feedlot. The […] Read more
