Manitoba is on its own when it comes to regulating animal welfare, says the province’s chief veterinary officer. Unlike most other jurisdictions in Canada, where the provincial SPCA handles welfare investigations and law enforcement, the Manitoba government takes a more direct approach. “We deliver animal welfare en-forcement directly through the office of the chief veterinary […] Read more
Robert Arnason
Stories by Robert Arnason
Tim Hortons defends animal welfare policy on sow gestation crates
Despite pressure from animal welfare organizations to act on gestation stalls, Tim Hortons is taking a balanced and realistic approach to the issue, says a company spokesperson. In late February, the Humane Society of the United States called on Tim Hortons to modernize its supply chain and begin buying pork from farms that don’t use […] Read more
Link found between insecticides, colony loss
Study stirs controversy Bayer Crop Science denounces findings as ‘spectacularly incorrect’
Three scientific studies in the past two weeks have directly blamed insecticides for collapsing bee populations, providing fuel for activists and politicians who would like to restrict pesticide use. In the most recent study, Harvard School of Public Health researchers found a “convincing” link between insecticides and colony collapse disorder (CCD), a term used to […] Read more
Seeders hit fields early
Farmers are getting a jump on spring seeding, thanks to favourable weather and moisture conditions. “We’re going to get into the field this week,” said Lynn Jacobson of Enchant, Alta. Seeding usually starts during the first week of May on Jacobson’s farm. “We’re earlier than typical in this area. We haven’t had any snow for […] Read more
Research closure in Winnipeg dashes plans for centre of excellence
The imminent closure of Agriculture Canada’s Cereal Research Centre, on top of the loss of the CWB monopoly, has many in Manitoba convinced that Winnipeg’s 100-year reign as Canada’s grain capital is officially over. “It (the closure) certainly sends a bit of message that … Winnipeg will no longer be a driving force in the […] Read more
Cereal Research Centre closure disappoints Grain Growers of Canada
Government cuts to wheat research, which are part of the 2012 federal budget, are disappointing and will ultimately hinder wheat 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 […] Read more
Feds closing Cereal Research Centre in Winnipeg
Agriculture Canada’s Cereal Research Centre in Winnipeg will close in 2014 and its scientists relocated to other research centres as part of federal government budget cuts. Scientists and staff at the centre, who work on wheat and oat breeding, disease resistance and cereal quality, learned yesterday the centre would close April 2014. At this point, […] Read more
Manitoba farmers discuss wheat check-off body
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
Grower stresses midge tolerant wheat’s value
Farmers in north are early adapters
Robert Stevenson can’t understand why more producers haven’t switched to midge tolerant wheat varieties. The technology protects a farmer’s wheat crop from a potential midge outbreak, and the yield potential is as good or better than other spring wheat varieties in Western Canada. “I’m surprised that there hasn’t been more uptake on them,” said Stevenson, […] Read moreHemp may be building block to cosy home
Construction material | Hemp fibre product durable, biodegradable and superior to insulation made from fibreglass
An American company is planning to build a manufacturing plant in Ontario that will turn hemp into a compostable construction material. American Lime Technology, a Chicago company that specializes in low carbon building materials, wants to manufacture a ready to install insulating product made from hemp at a plant near Toronto, said sales manager Matt […] Read more
