Companies should tap a specific market, rather than focus on a generalization of producing safe food, says Michael McCain
OTTAWA — Michael McCain promised in his opening remarks that his speech would be provocative. He didn’t disappoint. The chief executive officer of Maple Leaf Foods told a forum on Canada’s Agri-Food Future in early November that it would be a mistake for Canada to try to become the country with the most trusted food […] Read moreNews
‘Most trusted food’ goal bad idea, says Maple Leaf
Farmers want international sales price information
Growers could use the data to determine port pricing and basis and futures prices when signing contracts
OLDS, Alta. — The price of export wheat relative to local cash prices is valuable information and should be available to the public, says a resolution from the Alberta Wheat Commission. A farmer vote urged the commission to lobby government to re-quire that grain companies report international sales prices to Cereals Canada and the wheat […] Read moreMission aims to calm fears
One of the objectives of Team Canada’s new crop missions is to assuage customer concerns about mycotoxins. “There is a growing focus around the world on the two key myco-toxins in the cereal industry,” said Cam Dahl, president of Cereals Canada. Mycotoxins are poisonous chemical compounds produced by fungi. The two big ones in cereal […] Read more
Grain marketers high on wheat, durum crop
People involved in the Team Canada grain trade promotion tour are about to tell customers around the world about this year’s wheat and durum crops. “We have good news to talk about with customers,” said Cam Dahl, president of Cereals Canada. “It’s a high quality crop.” The group is scheduled to embark on a series […] Read more
Farmers, groups anxious about new safety rules
The Alberta government is ex-pected to announce new rules to protect farm workers. It is not known when an an-nouncement could come or how much feedback the government expects from the agriculture sector. “They recognize Alberta provides the least protection for workers on farms and ranches of any jurisdiction in Canada, but at the same […] Read more
Ag Notes
Wheat commission selections Trevor Petersen from Penhold and returning director Terry Young from Lacombe have been chosen by acclamation for the Alberta Wheat Commission’s board in region three. Nominated regional representatives include Jason Lenz from Bentley, Michael Ammeter from Sylvan Lake and current chair and director Kent Erickson from Irma, who did not seek another […] Read more
European scientists say glyphosate unlikely to cause cancer
RUSSELS, Nov 12 (Reuters) – Glyphosate is unlikely to cause cancer in humans, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said on Thursday, and the agency proposed a higher limit on the daily amount of residue of the popular weed killer deemed safe if consumed. The EFSA advises EU policymakers and its conclusion could lead the […] Read more
Maine Anjou impress breeders at Farmfair
EDMONTON, Alta. — It’s been 45 years since the first Maine Anjou cattle were brought to Canada from France in 1969. For some long-time Maine Anjou breeders there is no sense changing when you raise the best. Janice and Robert Stenberg felt they won the lottery when they bought their first Maine Anjou in 1971. […] Read more
Farmfair 2015
Farmfair International has been held at Northlands in Edmonton for 40 years. The farm show is one of Canada’s top agricultural shows and Mary MacArthur is onsite reporting for The Western Producer. Follow this page for her live coverage. Stories: Maine Anjou impress breeders at Farmfair EDMONTON, Alta. — It’s been 45 years since the […] Read more
U.S. Wheat Associates complains of Canadian trade practices
The U.S. wheat industry says Canadian trade policies that limit the flow of U.S. wheat to Canadian delivery points is costing the American industry as much as $50 million per year. For U.S. wheat, “the primary access barrier to Canada is that regardless of variety, all foreign grown grain automatically receives the lowest designation in […] Read more
