Five years after a genetically modified variety nearly lost Canadian flax growers their largest export market, the industry is finally ready to revisit the idea of GM crops. “The industry wants to take a look at what should we be doing, if anything, to discourage or encourage some of the potential that this has,” said […] Read more
Sean Pratt
Stories by Sean Pratt
Minor rally in canaryseed
Canaryseed markets are experiencing a small rally despite a burdensome carryover from last year’s harvest. Growers have seen prices rise to as high as 10 cents per pound from 8.5 cents per lb. a few weeks ago as processors scramble to fill orders. “They need some canaryseed and all the farmers are too busy seeding […] Read more
Ethanol byproduct tested on hogs
One thousand Alberta hogs are set to participate in feeding trials involving U.S. dried distillers grains. The U.S. Grains Council is co-ordinating the trials, which will take place in Calgary, where the byproduct of U.S ethanol plants will be fed to hogs at different rates in their rations. “Although U.S. performance rates could be used, […] Read more
Time will tell results of farm fuel experiment
A Farmington, B.C., producer who crossed Canada in his combine to raise awareness about the farm income crisis of 2000 has a new raison d’etre. Nick Parsons is promoting the use of biodiesel around Dawson Creek, B.C., telling fellow farmers about his experiment of pouring unrefined canola oil into his diesel tank and using the […] Read more
Wheat board uncomfortable in role as Greenpeace ally
Greenpeace says the Stephen Harper government is paving the way for the commercialization of genetically modified wheat. Eric Darier, a GMO activist with the environmental group, recently argued that if the Conservatives follow up on their election platform to eliminate the Canadian Wheat Board’s monopoly, it will neuter a strong ally of the anti-GM wheat […] Read more
Domestic slaughter capacity sufficient for market
Canada’s packing industry is still slaughtering cattle at pre-BSE levels, despite taking steps to address its capacity inadequacies, says the vice-president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. “We have enough capacity to slaughter everything we can produce if we wanted to. The reality is that doesn’t occur,” Brad Wildeman said during a recent presentation to the […] Read more
Organic sector needs more farmers: buyers
CHICAGO, Ill. – When Gary Hirshberg started his organic yogurt company in 1983, he knew he had the makings of a successful business. “The only problem that we had was we had no supply and no demand,” said the head of Stoneyfield Farm, who goes by the title of CE-YO. More than 20 years later […] Read more
Growers told to stop whining and start pushing benefits
CHICAGO, Ill. – Organic pioneers need to stop fretting about new settlers and start getting on with more important tasks, says the founder of a 23-year-old organic firm. Gary Hirshberg, who calls himself the CE-YO of Stonyfield Farm, the third largest yogurt brand in the United States, said the organic industry is up in arms […] Read more
Organic coffee is hottest trend
CHICAGO, Ill. – Organic coffee is a hot commodity. Sales of the specialty java increased 54 percent in the United States in 2005 compared to an 8.5 percent increase in regular coffee purchases, according to data collected by ACNielsen. For the 52 weeks ended Sept. 10, 2005, sales of organic coffee totalled $34.4 million in […] Read more
Growth pace slows for U.S. organic industry
CHICAGO, Ill. – Sales of organic food and beverages in the U.S. are shifting down a gear after more than a decade of pedal-to-the-metal growth. Retail sales amounted to $13.8 billion US in 2005, according to a manufacturer survey conducted by the Organic Trade Association. That is up 13 percent from the $12.2 billion sold […] Read more
