RENO, Nevada Ñ American president George Bush has a new budget proposal that isn’t sitting well with that country’s wheat producers. Bush’s rollback in crop program payments is their primary concern, but producers are also anxious about the changes Bush is proposing to food aid. In his 2006 budget, Bush slashes P.L. 480 Title II […] Read more
Sean Pratt
Stories by Sean Pratt
Low stocks fail to support wheat price
Grain bins may be bulging with wheat on Canadian farms but global stocks of the commodity are nearing a 15-year low, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. When expressed as a percentage of anticipated consumption, 2004-05 world wheat stocks will end the year at the second lowest point in three decades, according to […] Read more
Research targets trouble with organic phosphorus
CALGARY Ñ Addressing soil phosphorus deficiencies has become one of the top priorities for the organic research community. “It seems to be a very high concern for soil scientists and for producers at this point,” says Brenda Frick, prairie co-ordinator of the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada. “We get a lot of calls on that.” […] Read more
Organic standards allow for GM
Organic growers have long complained that genetically modified crops threaten their livelihoods. But according to national standards in the United States and those under development in Canada, unintentional GM contamination has no effect on a producer’s organic status. The Canadian Organic Standards Committee hopes to achieve final consensus on the main section of Canada’s proposed […] Read more
Terminator gene ban thwarted
The Canadian government led a successful charge last week to bid hasta la vista to a proposed ban on terminator gene research. Canadian representatives attending a United Nations meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, blocked a controversial report calling for a moratorium on genetic use restriction technologies, or GURTS. That has enraged one anti-biotechnology group that accused […] Read more
Canaryseed checkoff OKed
About two dozen growers attending a Feb. 10 meeting in Eston, Sask., may have decided the fate of a proposed checkoff that will affect all Saskatchewan canaryseed producers. Despite its best efforts, the Canaryseed Association of Canada was able to attract only 45 people to its annual general meeting, 37 of whom voted on the […] Read more
Organic industry unites in Alta.
CALGARY Ñ After years of chronic infighting, the organic industry appears to be getting its act together. On the heels of last month’s announcement of a fall summit to establish a national voice for organic agriculture, growers, processors and other interested parties in Alberta have formed a provincial association. “It’s an umbrella group of all […] Read more
Organic producers promise to face cultivation problem
CALGARY Ñ A fundamental tenent of organics is to practice sustainable agriculture but the industry has room for improvement in one area. “We need to go back and minimize the amount of cultivation and tillage that is done,” Saskatchewan Agriculture crop development specialist Sherrilyn Phelps told 100 registered delegates attending the Going Organics conference in […] Read more
Organic farmers have many marketing options
CALGARY Ñ Organic producers have a daunting list of options to consider when it comes to marketing their commodities. Instead of producing a product, dropping it off at the elevator and waiting for a cheque, they are forced to actively market their products through a variety of options such as selling products directly off the […] Read more
Oilseeds fuel new venture
A Saskatoon company is helping prairie farmers grow their own crop inputs. Diesel Services Group Canada has launched a new diesel fuel additive for farm machinery that is wholly derived from locally grown oilseeds. The company has been providing performance enhancement products and repair services to farmers and other users of diesel-powered equipment more than […] Read more
