In its first state of the industry report, Canada’s Organic Trade Association has said that organic regulations across the country are inconsistent and a number of provinces “do not have any regulation at all.” What that means is that locally produced organic food in certain provinces can be promoted and sold locally as “organic,” even […] Read more
News
Some provinces allow non-certified organic sales
AG Notes
Biochar study to target methane in cattle The University of Lethbridge will use $1.1 million in federal funds to see if biochar in beef cattle diets will reduce the amount of methane gas expelled. Biochar is charcoal produced from plant matter. The bulk of recent research on the material has focused on use in soil […] Read more
Crop stress mounts in Saskatchewan – report
Most crops throughout Saskatchewan are at the normal stage of development but heat and dry weather are creating stress, according to the latest weekly report from Saskatchewan Agriculture. “Many areas in the province remain very dry and crop conditions continue to decline due to hot temperatures and lack of rain,” the report said. “Topsoil moisture […] Read more
MacAulay vows to defend NAFTA at ag ministers meeting
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — Canada’s agriculture ministers are gathered here to hammer out the next policy framework and discuss other sector concerns such as the impending NAFTA renegotiations. The U.S. released its list of negotiating priorities earlier this week and the first round of talks is scheduled to begin Aug. 16. Wheat, dairy and wine […] Read more
Power line a threat, says farmer
A farmer from Wadena, Sask., wants SaskPower to reconsider the route for a proposed three-phase power line that will affect his operation. Chad Haskey said the new Viterra facility at Wadena requires the service, but the corporation has chosen an indirect route that divides his farm and puts his plans for an airstrip in jeopardy. […] Read more
U.S. company buys maker of French’s Mustard
LONDON, July 19 (Reuters) – U.S. spices maker McCormick & Co Inc has won the battle to buy Reckitt Benckiser Group’s North American food business, paying a higher than expected $4.2 billion to add extra seasonings and sauces. London-listed Reckitt said in April it was reviewing options for the unit, which includes French’s mustard and […] Read more
Cattle futures jump Wed., initial cash prices fuel rebound
By Theopolis Waters CHICAGO, July 19 (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures gained sharply on Wednesday, fueled by short-covering in response to higher-than-expected preliminary cash prices, said traders. They said fund buying contributed to market advances. August ended 2.200 cents per pound higher at 117.275 cents and above the 20-day moving average of […] Read more
Corn, soy rally Wednesday but canola drops on cooler Prairie weather
In a reversal of recent market action canola and spring wheat settled a little lower on Wednesday but corn and soybeans rallied. The markets are bouncing around with each updated weather forecast for the Midwest, both for moisture and for heat. The heat in the Midwest was in the forefront today. There is rain in […] Read more
Analyst’s Prairie tour sees wide crop variability
After a 4,500 kilometre tour of the Canadian Prairies, Bruce Burnett, director of markets and weather with Glacier FarmMedia confirmed what many suspect. Crop yields potential in Western Canada is highly variable and production will be less than in recent high production years. “Variable is the word this year,” he said. Burnett covered large parts […] Read more
Cattle futures buckle under technical pressure
By Theopolis Waters CHICAGO, July 18 (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed lower on Tuesday, hit by profit-taking and technical selling, said traders and analysts. They said some funds sold August futures and simultaneously bought the October contract. Positioning in advance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture monthly Cattle-On-Feed report on Friday […] Read more
