OTTAWA — Ron Bonnett was alarmed to learn last fall that United Nations policy discussions about food security were taking place without farmers at the table. The president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture said the committee on food security included academics and experts in other fields but not those who actually cultivate. “It’s mind […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Farmers call for more consultation in farm program design
OTTAWA — Two years into Growing Forward 2 farmers are beginning to take stock of the latest agricultural policy framework and, in some areas, finding it lacking. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture is already discussing what it wants to see in the next agreement. Several themes emerged from a brainstorming session at last week’s annual […] Read more
NDP, Liberals woo CFA delegates as election looms
Improved accountability from railways and support for supply management were among issues raised, promises made
OTTAWA — Federal NDP leader Thomas Mulcair says a stronger wheat board would improve grain handling logistics and end the transportation backlog on the Prairies. As the remains of the former Canadian Wheat Board head toward privatization by 2017 and the country heads toward a fall election, Mulcair told delegates to the Canadian Federation of […] Read moreRitz confident Alberta BSE case won’t affect trade with major players
Some Asian countries have closed their borders but the impact will be small, he says
OTTAWA — Agriculture minister Gerry Ritz says he expects Canada’s beef customers to recognize the country’s BSE controlled risk status and keep trade flowing. That said, South Korea, Peru, Taiwan, Belarus and Indonesia have stopped importing beef products and require convincing to reopen their borders. Ritz told reporters Feb. 24 that South Korea had asked […] Read moreNew shortline planned for Sask.
Saskatchewan’s 14th shortline railway is expected to begin operating this spring in the province’s northeast. Northern Lights Rail is based in Kinistino and will run on 59 kilometres of former Canadian National Railway track between Melfort and Birch Hills. The provincial government provided the company with a $550,000 interest-free loan to help it purchase the […] Read more
Sask. residents rally to keep small-town doctor
About 50 people rallied at the Saskatchewan legislature at noon today, the opening day of the spring sitting, to tell the government they are unhappy with a plan to cut health services in Craik. Chanting “keep our doctor, he wants to stay,” residents of several communities served by the doctor in the small town about […] Read more
Soybean research targets Sask. fields
Last season’s test plots at Indian Head, Sask., were damaged by an early September frost
WHITE CITY, Sask. — Data is now in from the first year of a soybean research project at the Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation that is providing information specific to Saskatchewan growers. The province’s farmers have expanded their soybean acreage the past few years but are relying largely on information from the United States and […] Read more
Study rates canaryseed response to nutrients
WHITE CITY, Sask. — Researchers know that canaryseed responds to chloride more than other cereal crops and advise growers to apply it as potash to give the crop what it needs. However, questions remain about whether canaryseed responds differently to other macro and micronutrients. Bill May, an Agriculture Canada researcher at Indian Head, Sask., ran […] Read more
Environment, feeding program linked to acidosis
Pen conditions could affect whether cattle suffer from rumen acidosis, says Greg Penner, an associate professor of animal science at the University of Saskatchewan. Acidosis occurs when cattle eat feed that ferments rapidly in the rumen. It is similar to indigestion in humans but can have negative implications on animal performance and health, Penner said. […] Read more
Sask. leader in agri-food exports
Saskatchewan agri-food exports topped $13.9 billion last year to set a record for the fourth year in a row and lead the country. The province sold its agricultural and food products to 153 countries last year, and 15 of them each bought more than $200 million, said agriculture minister Lyle Stewart. He said the numbers […] Read more
