U.S. bioproduct registry | U.S. policy helps but Canadians want similar plan here
Canadians who produce bioproducts, whether it be canola oil lubricants or construction materials made from hemp, are advised to register for a U.S. government program called BioPreferred. An agri-technology expert in Ontario says it represents a tremendous opportunity for Canada’s bio-economy. In February, U.S. president Barack Obama urged federal agencies to buy bioproducts such as […] Read more
Robert Arnason
Stories by Robert Arnason
Pesticide link to colony collapse called overblown
Recently published papers that have drawn a direct link between insecticides and declining bee populations don’t apply to Canadian bees, say scientists in Ontario and British Columbia. Studies released in the last four weeks based on research in France, Britain and Harvard University determined that a popular insecticide is killing bees. The studies concluded that […] Read more
Manitoba unveils program promoting local food
The Manitoba government and a food industry association want consumers in the province to eat more local food. Premier Greg Selinger, along with representatives of the Manitoba Food Processors Association, unveiled the Buy Manitoba program at a Canada Safeway store in the northeast corner of Winnipeg yesterday. “With this program, Manitobans will find highly visible […] Read more
Cereal Research Centre falls to budget cuts
Research stations to close | Nearly half the jobs will be eliminated
Government cuts to wheat research are disappointing and will ultimately hinder production in Western Canada, says Grain Growers of Canada president Stephen Vandervalk. “Unfortunately, it looks like the spring wheat program for the black and dark brown soils zones has been slashed by about one-third at a time when the world needs more production,” Vandervalk […] Read moreKAP discusses association for wheat, barley checkoff
Manitoba farmers have taken the first steps toward creating a provincial wheat and barley association. At a meeting in Portage la Prairie April 10, Keystone Agricultural Producers members passed a resolution to create a steering committee to start the ball rolling. The association’s primary mandate would be to collect a checkoff on wheat and barley, […] Read more
Manitoba vegetable purée maker seeks global markets
Baby food purées | Canadian government’s $2.5 million loan allows company to expand operation to commercial scale
A Manitoba company is planning to turn locally grown culled vegetables into purées for baby food, soup and sauces. Canadian Prairie Garden Puree Products will work with market quality vegetables and vegetables that aren’t suitable for table consumption because of visual defects, said Kelly Beaulieu, vice-president of the Portage la Prairie company. “The vegetables and […] Read morePossible soybean seed shortage threatens acreage increase
Manitoba farmers may shatter the provincial record for soybean acres this year, but a shift to Roundup Ready 2 beans and a lack of high quality seed threatens acreage gains. The province set another record for soybeans last year, with Manitoba Agricultural Services Corp., insuring 587,000 acres, compared to 528,000 in 2010. Manitoba Pulse Growers […] Read more
Manitoba budget disappoints farmers
Manitoba’s recent budget largely ignores the concerns of farmers and the agricultural industry, say producer groups in the province. Despite the province facing a $460 million deficit this year, the government is cutting Manitoba Agriculture’s budget for Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Initiatives by a modest 0.5 per cent: to $227 million in 2012 from […] Read more
Canadian scientist not shocked by insecticide-bee studies
Recently published papers that have drawn a direct link between insecticides and declining bee populations don’t apply to Canadian bees, say scientists in Ontario and British Columbia. Studies released in the last four weeks based on research in France, Britain and Harvard University determined that a popular insecticide is killing bees. The studies concluded that […] Read more
Ontario seeks animal welfare alternative
A consensus is emerging in Ontario that animal welfare regulations aren’t working. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Food and Farm Care Ontario and the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies say the current system is unsustainable and should be amended. Under the current system, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals handles animal […] Read more
