Federal legislation aimed at addressing grain transportation problems in Western Canada is not likely to be passed until the fall, several months later than previously expected. | File photo

Grain movement legislation delayed until fall

Federal legislation aimed at addressing grain transportation problems in Western Canada is not likely to be passed until the fall, several months later than previously expected. In a May 5 news release, the Alberta Wheat Commission says legislation — originally expected this spring — is unlikely to be passed before the House of Commons breaks […] Read more

PED is common in the U.S. and is expected to appear from time to time. | File photo

Porcine epidemic diarrhea case found in Manitoba

It’s no shock that an isolated case of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus appeared on a Manitoba farm at the beginning of May, says Manitoba Pork. The disease is common in the U.S. and is expected to appear from time to time. “We’re not really surprised,” said spokesperson Mark Fynn. “We know we have the disease […] Read more

Dow merger with DuPont gets positive antitrust review in Brazil

SAO PAULO, May 5 (Reuters) – The planned merger of Dow Chemical Co and DuPont received a recommendation for a conditional approval by Cade, Brazil’s antitrust regulator, after a finding that proposed asset sales would be enough to address competitive concerns, the regulator said in an emailed statement on Friday. Following the review by the […] Read more



Seeding is off to a slow start in some areas of the Prairies because of wet and cold weather and unharvested 2016 crop, but it is too early to push the panic button, say industry officials.
 | File photo

Seeding is late (but don’t panic)

Seeding is off to a slow start in some areas of the Prairies because of wet and cold weather and unharvested 2016 crop, but it is too early to push the panic button, say industry officials. Kevin Bender, vice-chair of the Alberta Wheat Commission who farms near Red Deer, is in uncharted territory with 1,200 […] Read more


Sunflowers down, but not out in western Canada

Winnipeg, May 4 (CNS Canada) – Canadian sunflower seedings will be down in 2017, but perhaps not by as much as the official government estimate. Statistics Canada forecast the country’s sunflower area at only 50,000 acres in its planting intentions report. That would be down from 70,000 the previous year and the second-lowest acreage-base of […] Read more

Self-driving cars may become the catalyst for using pigs to create human organs, Nikolas Badminton told a packed house at Ontario’s London Swine Conference earlier this year.
 | Roman Boed/Flickr.com photo

Self-driving cars could affect pig production: futurist

A drop in deaths from car accidents could mean a shortage of organs for transplant, and pig organs could be used for gene-editing

With the growth in vegetarianism and the rise of laboratory-engineered meat substitutes, the future of hog production may lie as much in medical research as it does on the dinner plate, says a Canadian futurist. Self-driving cars may become the catalyst for using pigs to create human organs, Nikolas Badminton told a packed house at […] Read more

ABOVE: Paul de Rond, left, checks out the ventilation system equipment used in pig producer Paul Willemse’s nursery in Keyser, Ont. It is designed to provide quality air for animals and workers.  | Jeffrey Carter photo

Ontario pork producer invests in technology

KEYSER, Ont. — A pork producer from Middlesex County in Ontario figures the extra money he spent on his new nursery barn will save him dollars in the long run. Paul Willemse said the ventilation system he’s using is unique to North American nursery barns. He also incorporated technology from a Dutch firm to help […] Read more


This pollinator, feeding upon bergamot, is among the more than 850 Canadian bee species. | Jeffrey Carter photo

Legal protection urged for wild pollinators

Expert urges farmers and ranchers to establish pollinator habitat and use environmentally friendly pest management

PORT STANLEY, Ont. — The contribution wild pollinators make to food production is widely recognized but there’s a lack of knowledge concerning their habitat and habits here in Canada. Pollinator expert Nigel Raine hopes to begin to change that. He plans to monitor pollinator activity at 50 different Ontario locations, including farm locations. The University […] Read more

Nick Connors, current chair of the board of directors of the Long Clawson Dairy, is among the co-operative’s members who take advantage of England’s lengthy pasture season. Others operate high-production confinement systems.  |  Supplied photo

Cheese makers anxious over import quotas

DRESDEN, Ont, — Small and mid-sized Canadian cheese makers may be able to cash in on the expected increase in European Union cheese imports. The group was unhappy with the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the EU, which opened the door to about 17 million kilograms of additional, tariff-free cheese from Europe, […] Read more