Researchers hope to increase yields by improving photosynthesis, nitrogen fixing abilities
Rising greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere will help farmers feed a growing world population, says an oilseed expert. Research shows that as carbon dioxide levels increase, so do crop yields. Carbon dioxide and water are the two “mega nutrients” in crop production, said Murray Hartman, provincial oilseed specialist with Alberta Agriculture. Crops require tonnes […] Read more
Sean Pratt
Stories by Sean Pratt
Cargill set to take on soybean oil campaign
One of the two main developers of high oleic canola is at odds with the national industry association on the outlook for the commodity. The Canola Council of Canada wants one-third of the 22 million acres of canola it envisions for 2025 to be high oleic and other specialty oil varieties. That would be more […] Read more
McDonald’s to stick with canola oil
Cargill’s high oleic canola blend meets the food chain’s needs for healthy, flavourful frying
One of the world’s biggest users of high oleic canola oil says it will not shift to high oleic soybean oil once it is ready for commercialization. McDonald’s made the switch to a high oleic canola oil blend in 2008 and does not intend to abandon the product despite exploring alternatives. “We’ve looked at a […] Read moreCargill opens new crush facility
The Cinderella crop has a new Prince Charming. Cargill officially opened its second crush facility in Canada today in Camrose, Alta. “It makes us the largest canola processor in Canada now,” said Jeff Vassart, president of Cargill Canada. The grain industry giant now has the capacity to crush 2.5 million tonnes of canola annually, with […] Read more
Prairie ethanol sector hits tough times
The industry says the closing of a plant in Weyburn, Sask., is a sign that all is not well in the biofuel sector
A Saskatchewan ethanol plant has shut down because of low fuel prices, high feedstock costs and the loss of government incentives. NorAmera BioEnergy Corp. stopped producing ethanol at its Weyburn plant in May after nine years in business. Chief executive officer Brad Hill said the freefall in crude oil prices to less than $60 per […] Read more
Crop experts weigh conditions, outlook
While it is too late for rain to help crops bounce back in some areas, other regions aren’t ready to write them off yet
Opinions are split on whether it is time to draw parallels to the drought of 2002. Some analysts and farmers are making comparisons to that year, in which prairie farmers harvested only 78 percent of the crop that they seeded and production fell 24 percent compared to the previous year. Others like Shawn Jaques, president […] Read moreMore Vancouver port expansions in the works
The recently announced G3 export grain terminal project is not the only one under serious consideration at Port Metro Vancouver, according to a port official. Doug Mills, senior account representative in the port’s trade development department, said there have been conversations with more than a dozen companies. Some of those firms are in the advanced […] Read more
China scraps domestic rapeseed support plan
Sale of stockpiled rapeseed oil could temporarily reduce demand for imported canola
The end of a major rapeseed subsidy program in China could have far-reaching effects on canola demand in one of Canada’s key markets, says an industry analyst. China’s rapeseed oil reserve policy is being dismantled in 2015-16, according to a recent report by the International Grains Council. The program has been buying rapeseed from Chinese […] Read more
In Depth: CSCA meeting, 2015
The Western Producer’s reporter/analyst Sean Pratt attended the Canadian Special Crops Association (CSCA) Pulse and Special Crop Meeting in Calgary June 21-23, 2015. Here is his coverage of the event: Industry prepares for year of pulses The pulse industry is gearing up for a year of partying. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization has […] Read more
U.S. consumers eager to start spending
A reviving American economy should lift the rest of the world and spark food demand
CALGARY — A turnaround in the U.S. economy is giving the global economy the wings it needs to finally rise above the lingering recession. “The world economy is getting back on its feet again and is actually ready to fly,” said Peter Hall, chief economist with Export Development Canada. The pending revival of the global […] Read more
