Tax relief is available for livestock producers affected by drought last year, and more of them are now eligible. The federal agriculture department released a list Feb. 2 of regions that will be eligible for tax deferrals as a result of last year’s dry conditions. The new list expanded on a preliminary list of drought-affected […] Read more
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Alta. expands tax relief in wake of drought
Drought could slash South African corn crop by 25 percent
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Reuters) — South Africa will likely harvest 7.44 million tonnes of corn this year, 25 percent less than the 9.94 million tonnes reaped last year because of a scorching drought. The government’s Crop Estimates Committee said it would be the smallest crop since 2007. The corn crop will consist of an estimated […] Read more
Latest weather not climate change: climatologist
The most recent version of El Nino has caused drought in Indonesia, Brazil, South Africa and the southwestern U.S.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Hotter temperatures around the world are not the result of global warming. Instead, they have been caused by a powerful El Nino disrupting weather patterns. “The El Nino event we have right now is no different than events in the 1880s, 1920s and 1930s,” said climatologist Art Douglas, professor emeritus at […] Read moreVegetable farmer-MP elected chair of federal ag committee
A vegetable and greenhouse grower from New Brunswick has been elected chair of the House of Common’s agriculture committee. Two other farmers were also elected chairs of committees last week. Pat Finnigan, who represents Miramichi-Grand Lake, is a rookie MP elected in the Liberal red sweep of Atlantic Canada in last fall’s election. “I’m a […] Read more
South Africa’s corn dilemma
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Reuters) — South Africa faces a drought-induced corn conundrum about the colour of its staple crop: white, yellow or a mix of the two? White corn is made into what is known locally as “pap,” the main source of calories for many households. The yellow variety is used almost exclusively as animal […] Read more
Rancher raised rodeo champs
Greg Kesler, a well-known figure in the Canadian rodeo world, died Feb. 1 on the family ranch near Magrath, Alta. He was 70. Kesler was the owner and operator of Kesler Rodeo, a stock contracting company, and operated Kesler Championship Rodeo, a separate company, as partner to his son, Duane. In the course of his […] Read more
Ag notes
Sask. Parks record Visits to Saskatchewan provincial parks set a new record in 2015 with almost 3.9 million visits. For 2016, there are planned increases to many of the fees. Prices are expected to increase $1 for nightly camping, $1 to $5 for entry permits, $4 to $8 for group camping and $30 to $75 […] Read more
Sask. leads trade mission to India
Saskatchewan agriculture minister Lyle Stewart and a provincial delegation leave Saturday for a week-long trade mission to India. The delegation will stop in Delhi, Jaipur and Mumbai and include a focus on pulses. The delegation includes representatives from Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, SaskCanola and the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership. It will participate in the Global […] Read more
U.S. lobbying restores red meat’s nutrition status
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The omnibus bill that killed the U.S. country-of-origin labelling law also put red meat back on the American menu by reversing controversial sections of the dietary guidelines program. An advisory committee that used health and nutrition information to review the nutrition guide had wanted to drastically cut back on red meat […] Read more
Alberta will fund farm solar panels
Alberta farmers will have access to $500,000 for on-farm solar panels, the provincial government has announced. “Agricultural producers embrace innovation and are good stewards of the land. The solar installation program will help increase farming efficiencies, reduce power bills and greenhouse gas emissions and add to Alberta’s power grid,” said agriculture minister Oneil Carlier. The […] Read more
