Alberta and Saskatchewan are extending the registration deadlines for mature animal programs to coincide with the recently revamped federal Cull Animal Program. Alberta livestock producers have until March 12 to register for the Alberta Mature Market Animal Transition Program. The previous deadline was Feb. 14. Saskatchewan producers register under the Saskatchewan Cull Animal Program. Beef, […] Read more
Sean Pratt
Stories by Sean Pratt
Steel hike hits farm market
Farmers will soon have to pay more for the agricultural equipment they need to plant, harvest and store their crops. PIMA Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada said soaring steel costs will be passed on to producers through higher prices for seeders, combines, hopper bins and just about every other piece of equipment used on prairie farms. […] Read more
Some reconsider fallow as cost saver
High input costs and slumping grain prices are prompting some producers to reconsider a traditional farming technique no longer in vogue. Prairie farmers have cut their summerfallow acres in half over the past decade but a few grain growers will be bucking that trend in 2004. “With the economics the way they are in grain […] Read more
U.S. scientists issuenew GM seed warning
A group of American scientists says seed from unregistered genetically modified crops could be making its way into the food supply. The Union of Concerned Scientists said contamination from genetically modified plants is rampant and is not limited to commercially released varieties. The environmental group indicated that experimental crops like GM wheat and plants grown […] Read more
Organic group critical of CWB
Tensions appear to be mounting between a group of organic producers and the Canadian Wheat Board. In the last few weeks the Organic Special Products Group, or OSPG, claiming to represent about 160 disenchanted organic producers, has issued News release newscriticizing the board. A recent one accuses the CWB of hypocrisy. Group spokesperson John Husband […] Read more
Nitrogen cost likely lower than 2003
Farmers paid more for their nitrogen fertilizer last spring than they had in many years and are worried about similar circumstances in 2004. The best guess is that prices won’t reach last year’s peak, according to Manitoba Agriculture. “We’ve got projections lower for this spring than last spring,” said farm management specialist Keith Kyle. That […] Read more
Pulse traders say new Indian rules political
Pulse trade has flat-lined with Canada’s biggest customer due to onerous new import restrictions. The Indian Plant Quarantine Order 2003, implemented on Jan. 1, 2004, introduced phytosanitary requirements for the import of several grains including peas, chickpeas and lentils. The new rules have effectively kept Canadian pulses out of India. “Basically there has been nil […] Read more
Pulse insurance changes made
In the words of 1970s pop icon Meat Loaf, two out of three ain’t bad. That’s how the Manitoba Pulse Growers Association fared when it came to having its concerns add-ressed by Manitoba Crop Insurance Corporation. MPGA executive director Nancy Penner is pleased the agency has removed variety restrictions on soybeans for 2004. In the […] Read more
Former NFU head eyes seat on Hill
Another high-profile farm leader has announced her intention to run in the upcoming federal election. Former National Farmers Union president Nettie Wiebe is seeking the nomination as the NDP candidate for the Saskatoon-Humboldt constituency. She joins a growing list of past and present farm leaders vying to become MPs. Canadian Beef Export Federation president Ted […] Read more
Lentil prices refuse to be chained down
Lentil markets are heating up despite a 47 percent increase in domestic production. “The prices have definitely been rising over the last six weeks or so,” said Murad Al-Katib, president of Saskcan Pulse Trading Inc., one of Canada’s top lentil exporters. Green lentil prices have firmed up by a few cents per pound, but the […] Read more
