Saskatchewan is about to host a genetically modified canola trial that will blow the Schmeiser case out of the water, says a legal expert. Organic producers are getting their day in court nearly three years after they filed a statement of claim against Monsanto Canada Inc. and Bayer CropScience Inc. The case is being co-ordinated […] Read more
Sean Pratt
Stories by Sean Pratt
Producers worry about organics regulation
Canada’s organic community is becoming anxious that work on developing a regulation to enforce its new national standard appears to have stalled. Paddy Doherty, co-ordinator of the Organic Regulatory Committee, recently met with senior Agriculture Canada and Canadian Food Inspection Agency officials to express his concerns that the federal government appears to be losing interest […] Read more
Special crops firm quits
The special crops industry is losing one of its most experienced and respected trading firms. In a mutual agreement with its U.S. parent company, Berdex Canada Ltd. has decided to wind up operations by the end of the year. It will be an orderly exit from the business. The company is not going into bankruptcy […] Read more
Flax contract may face struggle for acceptance
Growers and traders are greeting a new flax futures contract with a healthy dose of skepticism. In an attempt to revive trade in flax, which has been stagnant since spring 2003, the Winnipeg Commodity Exchange has approved changes to the flax contract that make it resemble the canola contract. “In redesigning this contract it was […] Read more
Sask. CAIS commitment could break the bank
The Saskatchewan Party is on the NDP’s CAIS about the province’s underfunded farm safety net program. Agriculture critic Lyle Stewart said Saskatchewan is going to fall far short of its obligation to fund 40 percent of the federal-provincial Canadian Agriculture Income Stabilization program, which he called unacceptable. “After this frost there is just no question […] Read more
Safety net deposit requirement a hardship, says farm group
As a general rule, farmers enjoy making bank deposits. But not when it comes to the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization program. To participate in the federal business risk management program, producers must select a level of protection they want for their operation and make a deposit at a participating financial institution to secure that coverage. […] Read more
Organic beef producers want cheques
Some prairie livestock producers say they are losing faith in one of the country’s leading organic livestock marketing organizations. They claim the Canadian Organic Livestock Association, or COLA, has oversold the industry and has fallen behind on payment delivery. COLA counters that those complaints are coming from naysayers who need more patience and understanding about […] Read more
Cold case investigators baffled
Industry groups and processors are scraping their windshields in an attempt to gather intelligence on the Aug. 20 frost but all they’ve managed to clear so far is a giant question mark. Barley may be the exception to the rule. Evidence is mounting that the damage may not be as bad as first feared. Jack […] Read more
Goats replace off-farm job
MIDDLE LAKE, Sask. – In addition to erecting a big log home on their farm, Ryan and Guenette Bautz should have considered building a wooden ark. It would have been an appropriate fixture on a ranch inhabited by cattle, horses, sheep, miniature ponies, pigs, laying hens, geese, llamas, cats, dogs and Saskatchewan’s only licensed goat […] Read more
Roundup Ready wheat tests continue despite pledge
Greenpeace Canada says Monsanto is guilty of phonetically modifying its stance on Roundup Ready wheat trials. In May, the biotechnology company announced it was deferring plans to commercialize its controversial crop, including putting a halt to all breeding and field level research. “No field trials. That’s done,” spokesperson Trish Jordan told the Western Producer. But […] Read more
