The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a report last week confirming what most analysts were already expecting, a bullish year for wheat. Contained within the department’s world agricultural supply and demand estimates was some especially good news for prairie growers, said Agriculture Canada wheat analyst Glenn Lennox. “The outlook is actually a lot stronger for […] Read more
Sean Pratt
Stories by Sean Pratt
Oilseed markets caught in price estimate duel
Crop analysts say a showdown in oilseed markets is beginning to unfold and growers will likely be taking the bullet. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently issued a soybean price forecast clearly at odds with the futures markets. In its world agricultural supply and demand estimates report, the USDA projected a 2004-05 soybean price in […] Read more
Specialty livestock ‘ignored’ – Special BSE Report
The B in BSE is for bovine, a fact that specialty livestock producers say is lost on American officials who closed their border to all ruminant exports from Canada after the disease was detected in Canada last May. Sheep, bison and cervid producers were stunned to find their products lumped in with beef in the […] Read more
Reopening border – Special BSE Report
U.S. president George Bush sent a clear message to agriculture secretary Ann Veneman he wants the border opened to live Canadian cattle. But Bush is not the only one weighing in on the controversial issue. Veneman is getting an ear-full from American cattle groups that have differing opinions on the matter. There are three big […] Read more
Euthanasia must be humane
Given the “high likelihood” that disabled and downer animals will be condemned at slaughter in this era of BSE, producers are facing more euthanasia decisions on their farms, says an animal care specialist. Ernie Olfert, director of the Animal Resources Centre at the University of Saskatchewan, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture has already taken […] Read more
Canaryseed growers consider checkoff
The newly formed Canaryseed Association of Canada is eager to get a checkoff in place. “We want to proceed as quickly as possible, keeping in mind that there must be thorough consultation with the growers and the industry,” said association president Ken Schikowski. Details on the proposed checkoff are scant other than it will be […] Read more
Ag experts disagree on repercussions of Monsanto withdrawal
Monsanto’s withdrawal from its Roundup Ready wheat project will trigger a broader shift away from agriculture research, says an agricultural economist. When the company announced it was backing away from what is “conservatively estimated” to be a $50 million US endeavour, it sent a strong message to the investment community, said Peter Phillips, director of […] Read more
Biotech wheat not off table
While one biotech company is terminating its GM wheat trials, another is gearing up to seed more test plots in 2004. Monsanto’s decision to temporarily shelve its Roundup Ready wheat project will have no effect on Syngenta’s plans to develop its fusarium resistant wheat, said a company spokesperson. “The fusarium project is one that is […] Read more
Monsanto shelves GM wheat
Monsanto is backing away from plans to commercialize Roundup Ready wheat, a move embraced by farm groups. In a May 10 News release news, Monsanto announced it is deferring commercialization of its controversial Roundup Ready crop until wheat with other biotech traits like fusarium resistance are introduced. That is estimated to happen in the next […] Read more
CWB suggests registration halt on wheat
Canadian Wheat Board officials say they are pleased with Monsanto’s decision to temporarily shelve its Roundup Ready wheat project, but the CWB wants Monsanto to go one step further. In its News release news, Monsanto made no mention of what will happen to the applications for regulatory approval of GM wheat, which it submitted in […] Read more
