A Saskatoon special crops broker has been barred from obtaining product in North Dakota. The state’s Public Service Commission issued a cease and desist order on Oct. 8 that prevents Rayglen Commodities Inc. from buying more grain there. The order was in response to complaints lodged by two grain companies and a grower association that […] Read more
Sean Pratt
Stories by Sean Pratt
Report dismisses GM threat to organics
Contrary to claims from a group of Canadian growers, organic and genetically modified crops can be grown side-by-side in complete harmony in North America. That was the key finding of a recent study published by PG Economics Ltd., a British agriculture consulting firm that specializes in writing reports related to plant biotechnology. “Survey evidence amongst […] Read more
Canola’s big rebound
It turns out reports of canola’s death were greatly exaggerated. Industry analysts thought the oilseed had been irreparably damaged by an Aug. 20 frost that struck much of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The crop was widely expected to have suffered significant yield losses and downgrades in quality in those two provinces. But as harvest progresses it […] Read more
Alfalfa dehy hopes for aid
It has become a fall ritual for the alfalfa dehydration industry to go hat-in-hand to Ottawa asking for federal government aid. The annual request is almost as predictable as the answer, which has been a resounding “no.” The industry hasn’t received a federal bailout since the 1980s. But Dale Pulkinen, executive director of the Saskatchewan […] Read more
Special crops hit record volume but quality mixed
Prairie farmers are poised to harvest a record volume of peas, lentils and canaryseed, says Statistics Canada. In its September production estimate released on Oct. 6, the agency forecast a 3.3 million tonne pea crop, up 57 percent from last year’s drought-reduced harvest. Estimates for the other two crops were limited to Saskatchewan, where 89 […] Read more
EU organic deal still possible
It is premature to conclude Canada will miss the deadline for negotiating an equivalency agreement with the European Union, says a high-ranking EU official. Many people in the organic community believe it is inevitable the discussions will drag on long past the Dec. 31, 2005, deadline since Canada is so late in making its submission. […] Read more
Europe slowly opening door to GM crops
Applications to sell genetically modified food in the European Union are beginning to find solid footing after years of being bogged down in a regulatory quagmire. Requests are slowly winding their way through the system, including one for GM canola, said Eric Hayes, the EU’s ambassador to Canada, who was in Saskatchewan last week for […] Read more
Problems foreseen in special crops
The special crops industry is bracing for a fall shipping season laden with contractual disputes. Excessive rainfall and cool weather have hampered harvest and crop development in many parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. “We’re anticipating there’s going to be more contractual disputes, maybe on the quality side more than anything,” said Francois Catellier, executive director […] Read more
Trades will scrounge for top quality lentils
Most analysts agree Canada is going to be short on top quality large green lentils but one firm has attached a number to it. Saskatoon’s CGF Brokerage and Consulting estimates that pulse traders will get only half the supplies they need. Judging by early crop samples and conversations with numerous processors, one of the firm’s […] Read more
Canada may lose organic market
There are no fallback positions or special arrangements that will keep Canadian organic goods flowing to the European Union if negotiations on regulation standards fail, says Agriculture Canada’s EU liaison. “If anyone thinks they’re going to get out of this unscathed, let’s not be deceived. We all go down if we can’t make that third […] Read more
