Dairy Farmers of Canada has been pushed to improve how it measures the effectiveness of its farmer-funded milk promotion
Dairy Farmers of Canada is trying harder to track how well its marketing efforts boost milk sales after Ontario members pulled promotion funding over a lack of information. DFC’s recent policy conference included a presentation by Don Mayo, global managing partner for IMI, an organization that measures media campaigns. Mayo is part way through a […] Read moreNews
German coalition deal includes ending glyphosate use
HAMBURG, Germany (Reuters) — Germany’s draft coalition deal includes a goal of ending the use of glyphosate but gives no time frame, after Berlin swung a vote in November extending its use across the European Union. The timing of an end to glyphosate use has been controversial in Europe amid a heated debate over whether […] Read more
First Nations cowboy communes with his horses
Jordan Camille lives at the northwestern tip of the great western desert, which stretches from Durango, Mexico, to the Deadman Valley west of Kamloops, B.C. Cactus- and sagebrush-covered hills reach up to burned-out, pine-covered mountains. Mile-high limestone and basalt cliffs preside over alfalfa crops in summer. In winter, brown grass and snow mix with cattle […] Read more
Plentiful mountain snowpack bodes well for Alta. irrigators
Snow accumulation along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains appears to bode well for runoff and the coming irrigation season, Alberta Environment reports. The mountain runoff forecast as of Feb. 7, posted by the department, indicates above average levels in the Oldman River Basin near Lethbridge and Brocket, as well as in the Bow […] Read more
Plant protein supercluster wins the day
A western Canadian group that hopes to expand opportunities in the plant protein industry will receive $150 million in federal funding under Ottawa’s Innovation Superclusters Program. Protein Industries Canada (PIC) is an industry-led alliance that consists of more than120 private-sector companies, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders across the West. PIC was one of five groups […] Read more
Russia rattles wheat trade
Russia is poised to become the world’s leading wheat exporter for the first time since the tsarist era a century ago. The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts 36 million tonnes of Russian wheat exports in 2017-18. The European Union will take second place with 26 million tonnes. Russia is stealing grain markets around the world […] Read more
Bovine leukosis incidence rises on Prairies
Bovine leukosis can be spread via:
PHOENIX, Ariz. — The presence of lymphomas is a leading reason for condemnation of beef and dairy cows at slaughter. They may have been infected with bovine leukosis virus. Bovine leukosis was not considered an important disease 25 years ago, but prevalence studies in Canada and the United States show it is circulating in many […] Read more
Don’t fret, but watch your debt
The top economist at Farm Credit Canada painted a positive picture of Canadian agricultural prospects for 2018, pointing to strong global demand for food, rising Canadian productivity and positive gross domestic product projections in key markets. But he also said Canadian producers should keep a close eye on interest rates, the value of the Canadian […] Read more
Food safety rules crucial for farmers markets
Vendors in Alta. are required to take and pass a home study course and post the certificate at their booths
There are newcomers every year to Alberta farmers markets, and for many, it is their first experience with food product sales. That’s where the regulations governing farmers markets come into play. A true farmers market is one that is approved by Alberta Agriculture and has been issued a food handling permit by Alberta Health Services. […] Read moreADM eyes tax rule options
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — Archer Daniels Midland Co. is developing plans to offset a provision in the new U.S. tax law that incentivizes farmers to sell crops to rival co-operatives, the grain merchant’s chief said, highlighting the threat the law poses to privately held elevators and processors. The provision allows farmers a 20 percent deduction […] Read more
