Two new studies published yesterday in the journal Science, indicate low doses of insecticides interfere with bees’ sense of direction and the insect’s ability to reproduce. In two separate experiments, researchers in Britain and France studied the interaction between bees and neonicotinoid pesticides, one of the most popular insecticides in the world, used on cereals, […] Read more
Robert Arnason
Stories by Robert Arnason
Manitoba flax plant destroyed in fire
No injuries | Damages estimated at $7 million
A fire at a flax plant in western Manitoba caused $7 million in damage and put the jobs of 60 employees in jeopardy. The blaze started at the Glanbia Nutritionals flax plant near Angusville, Man., on the morning of March 13. No one was injured but the plant was destroyed. Fred Dunn, reeve of the […] Read moreManitoba breeder seeks rabbit raisers
Demand for meat | U.S. processor is looking to Manitoba to provide 1,000 rabbits per month
A waitress carrying a plate of rabbit meat isn’t a common sight on the Prairies. However, a rabbit breeder in Killarney, Man., hopes to convince a few Manitoba farmers to produce rabbit because consumption of its lean, healthy meat is booming in other parts of North America. In fact, said Luc Laflamme, who produces rabbits […] Read moreCurrency risk requires managing
Education needed | Western Union program
Not so long ago, it was a major news story if the loonie gained or lost half of a cent in a day relative to the U.S. dollar. But these days, financial reporters and bankers barely blink when the loonie moves a cent in a day, says a currency risk manager. “We used to get […] Read moreWheat bright in N.D.; durum gloomy
Canola and spring wheat acres are expected to rebound in North Dakota this year following a soggy 2011. However, durum will struggle to regain acres this year because growers are leaning toward other crops, says a North Dakota Wheat Commission representative. “A lot of guys are not overly excited about durum,” said Erica Olson, marketing […] Read more
Don’t bag wet canola, warn researchers
University of Manitoba researchers have concluded that farmers should not store wet canola in grain bags because canola at 14 percent moisture content begins to spoil after only six weeks. “Fourteen percent moisture content is not a moisture content at which you should be storing canola in these bags under Manitoba conditions or, I would […] Read more
Slow barley deliveries send up prices
Feedlots snapping up supply | Elevator company might be assembling supply for export deal
Feed barley bids in southern Alberta have jumped $15 to $20 a tonne in the last several weeks, and prices may continue to rise. Allen Pirness, a trader with Market Place Commodities, said that’s partly because barley growers aren’t in a selling mood. “Farmers aren’t motivated to sell until their price is hit,” he said. […] Read moreMaple Leaf gets federal funds for hog plant reno
A federal investment of $4.5 million will help Maple Leaf Foods upgrade its 13-year-old hog plant in Brandon. The investment will go toward several improvements at the plant, in-cluding the purchase and installation of new line processing machinery, packaging equipment and heat recovery technology. “Upgrades to its Manitoba facilities will help Maple Leaf boost productivity […] Read more
Labels sway consumer choices at grocery stores
This is the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s regulation:
WINNIPEG — It’s crystal clear to Gunta Vitins why Canadian organic food producers and processors should be worried about natural food. Public opinion surveys indicate that 60 percent of Canadians believe in and rely on the word “natural” when making food purchases, yet only 45 percent of Canadians put their faith in the word “organic.” […] Read moreOttawa accused of muzzling scientists
A researcher with Agriculture Canada agrees with a recent editorial in the prominent journal Nature, which accuses the Canadian government of muzzling its scientists. “We (Agriculture Canada) are a publicly funded institution and what we do should be communicated to the public freely, without restrictions,” said the scientist, who noted that department researchers must jump […] Read more
