Canadian crop yields and farm incomes have not increased significantly in the 20 years since the commercialization of the first genetically modified crop, according to a new report. Biotechnology supporters counter that GM crops must be delivering tangible benefits because growers have embraced them in a big way. In its fourth of six reports investigating […] Read more
News
Anti-GMO group says yield gains non-existent
Chlorine, potash tested as possible mussel control methods
Alberta wants to be ready for a fight if zebra and quagga mussels invade the province’s water bodies. The small, invasive species multiply rapidly and cling to boats, water infrastructure and almost anything else. They clog pipes and machinery and consume water-borne nutrients essential to fish, plants and other aquatic species. The mussels’ size and […] Read more
Water plants get repair funds
Rural municipalities can now fix water and waste water treatment plants that are in desperate need of repair, said Alberta infrastructure minister Brian Mason. The Alberta government has set aside $545 million over five years to repair and update rural water treatment facilities. “We strongly believe access to high quality drinking water and safe and […] Read more
Japan to hike support for beef, pork producers
TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) — Japan will expand handouts to beef and pork farmers by raising the percentage of losses covered by the government to 90 percent from 80 percent. According to a draft of the policy outline for the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, the government will also increase purchases of do-mestic rice for reserve stocks […] Read more
Human waste could power millions of homes
LONDON, U.K. (Thomson Reuters Foundation) — Biogas from human waste has the potential to generate electricity for millions of homes while improving health and protecting the environment, says the United Nations University institute. The biogas that is potentially available from all the human waste in the world would be the equivalent of up to $9.5 […] Read more
Thieves butcher pregnant cow on Sask. farm
A cow on a farm near Weyburn, Sask., was killed and butchered sometime during the early morning of Nov. 25. According to a CBC News report, someone trespassed onto Roy Goodwin’s farm and gutted one of his pregnant cows. Goodwin told the CBC that it looked like the thieves came prepared. The cow was butchered […] Read more
Realized net income up, total net income down
Total net income, which includes adjustments in farmer-owned crop, livestock inventories, plummeted 61% in 2014
Farm income was either way up or way down in 2014, depending on what measure of income is used. Realized net income of Canadian farmers rose 23 percent to $7.7 billion. However, total net income plummeted 61 percent to $4.8 billion. The difference is that total net income is a measure that includes adjustments in […] Read moreHorse sale draws big crowds but few horses — what happened?
The stands were packed as usual but the thousands of people used to watching as many as two dozen ranch horses go through the Canadian Western Agribition sales ring saw less than half that number last week. Canada’s Premier Select Ranch Horse Sale drew just four entries this year and no prospect horses at all. […] Read more
Farm show bids farewell to Evraz Place
A week steeped in nostalgia ended with excitement about the future as the 45th Canadian Western Agribition wrapped up Nov. 28. The show marked the last for 13 buildings on the Evraz Place grounds, leading to much reminiscing and celebrating their role in show history. “As you know, the Auditorium is scheduled for demolition this […] Read more
U.S. gov’t decides to withdraw registration for Dow’s Enlist
Company says it is moving ahead with plans for the corn variety in Canada, despite EPA’s recent announcement
Dow AgroSciences is moving ahead with plans for Enlist corn in Canada, despite a significant regulatory setback in the United States. “From a standpoint of Canada, it is completely business as usual,” said Jeff Loessin, general manager of Dow Seeds Canada. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency took an unusual step Nov. 25 when it asked […] Read more
