TORONTO (Thomson Reuters Foundation) — One-third of the world’s arable land has been lost to soil erosion or pollution in the last 40 years, scientists said in recently published research. Preserving topsoil is crucial for feeding a growing population, they added. It takes about 500 years to generate one inch of topsoil under normal agricultural […] Read more
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Land lost to soil erosion
South Africa’s dispute with U.S. resolved
PRETORIA, South Africa (Reuters) — South Africa has resolved a dispute with the United States over farm exports, says the country’s trade ministry. The agreement will allow agricultural goods to be exported to the U.S. without penalties. U.S. president Barack Obama said Nov. 5 that he would revoke the duty free status of South African […] Read more
Wheat genome mapping project takes major step forward
The road map will help researchers identify genes responsible for pest resistance, stress adaptation and better yields
Scientists have taken another significant step toward producing a complete map of the complex bread wheat genome. The International Wheat Ge-nome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) announced Jan. 6 that a “whole genome assembly” of bread wheat has been developed. The assembly, akin to a genetic road map, is an ordered genetic sequence that covers 90 to […] Read moreSalmonella in canola meal handled appropriately
Salmonella has been discovered in a Canadian canola meal shipment, but the situation was quickly resolved. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notified Bunge in December that a sample of canola meal from its Hamilton crush plant tested positive for the bacteria. “The product did not enter the U.S. and has been handled in an […] Read more
Manitoba gov’t firm on ag issues, support
The Manitoba government isn’t backing away from supporting better saturation insurance, environmental farm plans and tax breaks for protecting sensitive land. That’s good news, said Keystone Agricultural Producers president Dan Mazier, who was pleasantly surprised to see the government release its Agriculture Risk Management Review Task Force report on the eve of the provincial election […] Read more
Blight resistance, late picking date give new Ontario pear variety marketing edge
A Canadian-developed pear is now an option for fruit buyers. The variety, named Cold Snap, is marketed and sold by Vineland Growers Co-op out of Ontario. Director of operations Dave Lepp said the co-op has worked on pear varieties for years, but this was the first selection to be named. Lepp said the variety received […] Read more
Tap potential young people offer
This final Bottom Line column brings back an entrepreneur who was featured about halfway through the column’s more than 10 year run. Greig Clark has a passion for helping young people realize their potential, and his insights apply as much to a farm as any other business. In 1971, an 18-year-old Clark founded College Pro […] Read more
Monsanto makes more job cuts
(Reuters) — Monsanto Co. said a souring farm economy and currency woes will push its 2016 earnings to the lower end of expectations. A cost-cutting drive will slash more jobs. The company’s net loss was $253 million, or 56 cents per share, in the first quarter ended Nov. 30, compared with a profit of $243 […] Read more
Viterra deal with U.S. canola plant expands crushing capacity
WINNIPEG, (Reuters) — Grain handler Viterra Inc. has struck a supply and marketing agreement to crush canola at Pacific Coast Canola LLC (PCC), a plant in Warden, Washington. A Viterra affiliate, Glencore Grain Investment LLC, has increased its ownership in PCC to 50 percent from a minority stake, for no cash consideration, Viterra said in […] Read more
China grapples with illegal GM crops
BEIJING, China (Reuters) — Farmers are illegally growing genetically modified corn in northwestern China, says a Greenpeace report that may generate further distrust of the government’s ability to regulate the food supply. Beijing has spent billions of dollars to develop GM crops that it hopes will ensure food supplies for its 1.4 billion people, but […] Read more
