PARIS, France (Reuters) — Bird flu has been found in a French town outside a broad restriction zone. The discovery is a setback to efforts to contain the outbreak of the disease, which has led a growing number of countries to ban poultry products from France. The country, which is the European Union’s largest agricultural […] Read more
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More countries ban French poultry as bird flu spreads
Retreating equities undermine CME live cattle futures
CHICAGO, Jan 20 (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed lower on Wednesday, pressured by falling U.S. stock futures amid the unrelenting slide in crude oil prices, traders said. February live cattle ended 2.050 cents per lb lower at 127.250 cents, and April closed down 1.975 cents at 128.175. Bullish CME live cattle […] Read more
Beef, forage research funding announced in Sask.
Saskatchewan agriculture minister Lyle Stewart today announced $7.8 million in beef and forage research funding from the federal and provincial governments. The record amount includes five-year core funding for the Prairie Swine Centre and the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, plus $800,000 from third party organizations. The money will be spent on 26 research projects […] Read more
India lifts ban on lentil linked to paralysis as PM seeks self-sufficiency
NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) — India is lifting a five-decade-old ban on a type of lentil that has been linked to nerve damage and paralysis. It’s seen as a desperate attempt by prime minister Narendra Modi to cut legume imports and make the nation self sufficient in the crop. India has been hit by back-to-back […] Read more
U.S. deploys new bird flu plan to protect humans, poultry
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — U.S. farm and health officials are racing to assess the threat that a type of bird flu never before seen in the country poses to humans and poultry. They are using emergency plans drawn up in the wake of a devastating outbreak in birds last year. The federal government sprang into […] Read more
Building binge by Iowa pig farmers may lead to lower prices
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — Farmers have ramped up construction of hog barns as they take advantage of cheap feed and strong demand for pork. Some are also looking to add space for the heavier pigs currently favored by customers and to cater for extra piglets as sows become more fertile, experts said. However, hog prices […] Read more
Alberta 4-H CEO resigns
Bruce Banks, chief executive officer of the 4-H Foundation of Alberta, is stepping down from the position in April after 15 years in charge of the organization. “Bruce has made a significant contribution to the foundation and to 4-H in general in this province over his long and dedicated tenure,” board chair Arron Madson said […] Read more
Alberta launches survey; seeks farmer input on Bill 6
RED DEER, Alta. — An on-line survey by Alberta crop commissions hopes to gather farmer input about new farm safety legislation. Within hours of the survey being released Jan. 15, more than 300 people had filled out the survey, a sign farmers are interested in helping to shape the controversial farm bill, said Kent Erickson, […] Read more
Canola makes slight gains
With U.S. markets closed for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday, canola had a chance to edge back a little of the value it had been losing. Canola rose $2 per tonne to $486.70 on the Winnipeg canola futures March contract, and $2.40 to $494.30 for May. “Canola was firm but quiet. It was […] Read more
Cropsphere element of Saskatoon’s farm week plans move
A major component of jointly held farm meetings, seminars and exhibits held in early January, plans to move out of Saskatoon’s downtown. Cropsphere, which consists of several farm groups that broke from Crop Production Week and Crop Production Show three years ago to create a third event at a downtown convention centre, is moving to […] Read more
