Cervus Equipment posted much improved profits over last year when it had to clear up taxation issues. Income for 2016 was $23.5 million, compared to a loss of $27.4 million the previous year. Income adjusted to exclude the effect of the tax situation and other factors was $10.8 million for 2016, down from $13.3 million […] Read more
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Cervus improves balance sheet
Bird flu hits Tyson Foods
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — Avian flu that is highly lethal to poultry has infected a second commercial chicken farm in Tennessee that supplies Tyson Foods. The finding expands an outbreak near the major chicken-producing states of Alabama and Georgia and is the second in the type of breeder flock crucial for keeping the chicken-meat industry […] Read more
Reducing government regulations no easy task: U.S. adviser
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — American farmers are thrilled that U.S. President Donald Trump is committed to reducing regulation, but a red tape expert says that is easier said than done. “Good luck,” said John Goldberg, founder of Science Based Strategies and a former science adviser to the U.S. House of Representatives’ agriculture committee. His first […] Read more
Alberta holds line on ag spending
Agriculture held its own in the March 16 Alberta provincial budget with $1.1 billion allocated to the department. Some farm leaders praised an increase of one percent over the last budget, but they also raised concerns about funding for agricultural research and the effects of the carbon tax. Gary Stanford, past-president of Grain Growers of […] Read more
Anaerobics new tool against soil pathogens
‘If it’s stinking, it’s working,’ says researcher studying decomposing carbon sources as alternatives to fumigation
NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. — An alternative to soil fumigation is catching on in one of the world’s largest strawberry production regions. “Since the 1950s, fumigation has been the foundation of strawberry production in California,” according to Dr. Joji Muramoto, who spoke in Niagara Falls at the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention in February. “Anaerobic soil […] Read moreB.C. Milk Marketing Board, Saputo wrestle in court
Saputo is asking the court to declare it is entitled to withhold funds over milk delivery issues in 2013 and 2015
SUMMERLAND, B.C. — Montreal-based dairy processor Saputo and the British Columbia Milk Marketing Board are locked in a tug-of-war court battle stemming from two separate deliveries of suspect milk. The milk ultimately proved safe, but in the latest court action, a civil claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court Feb. 6, Saputo wants the court to […] Read moreRoundup report penned by Monsanto ghostwriter: lawsuit
(Reuters) — Monsanto employees ghostwrote scientific reports that U.S. regulators relied on to determine that a chemical in Roundup does not cause cancer, farmers and others suing the company claimed in court filings. The documents, which were made public March 14, are part of a mass litigation in federal court in San Francisco claiming Monsanto […] Read more
Sask. Municipal Hail marks 100 years
Saskatchewan’s farmer-owned hail insurance company celebrated its 100th year in operation last year by insuring farmers against record losses. Saskatchewan Municipal Hail Insurance (SMHI) provided total coverage of $2.1 billion in 2016, the first time the company’s risk portfolio has ever surpassed the $2 billion mark. All told, the farmer-directed hail insurer provided coverage on […] Read more
Canadian durum in doldrums in wake of global competition
WINNIPEG — Canadian durum prices are at a standstill as the market looks to upcoming production, while domestic crops act as a “wild card,” one Winnipeg-based analyst says. “The durum market is certainly quiet right now. We’re kind of in that period where we’re in a lull,” said Jerry Klassen, manager of the Canadian office […] Read more
End wanted to daylight savings time in Alberta
Less than two full days after Albertans “sprung ahead in the spring” with daylight saving time, NDP MLA Thomas Dang introduced a private member’s bill to eliminate the twice-yearly time change in the province. In a March 14 news release, Dang said he’s heard from the public that “stopping the practice of changing our clocks […] Read more
