SYDNEY (Reuters) — Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott backed plans on Thursday to introduce country-of-origin labelling in the wake of a hepatitis A outbreak, potentially risking contravention of World Trade Organization rules. With 18 confirmed cases of hepatitis A linked to consumption of berries sold by Patties Foods Ltd., Abbott said he had asked members […] Read more
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Australia to introduce country-of-origin labelling after hepatitis A outbreak
Some Brazil truckers end strike, but many roads still blocked
SAO PAULO (Reuters) — Some Brazilian truckers agreed to end a nine-day strike that has crippled supply chains across much of the country, though many roadways remained blocked on Thursday as others pressed to hold out for more concessions from the government. Brazil’s government told truckers and transport companies late Wednesday it would extend a […] Read more
Maple Leaf Foods reduces fourth-quarter loss
(Reuters) — Canadian meat processor Maple Leaf Foods reported a smaller quarterly loss on Thursday, as it worked through a plan to close older packing plants. Maple Leaf, one of Canada’s biggest pork processors, is nearing the end of a multiyear program to upgrade its meat operations as it seeks to boost profits and better […] Read more
UK lawmakers demand new EU rules on genetically modified crops
LONDON (Reuters) — EU rules that prevent genetically modified crops from being grown in the UK, even after they pass rigorous safety tests, are not fit for purpose and should be totally reformed, British lawmakers said on Thursday. Members of parliament’s science and technology committee said the EU regulation is driven more by politics than […] Read more
Is it time to relax land ownership restrictions?
Deb Smith’s blood boils when she thinks of her son having to compete with a $234 billion pension fund to buy a parcel of farmland. That is what could happen in the wake of the recent ruling by the Saskatchewan Farm Land Security Board that the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is eligible to buy […] Read more
Farmers in flux over what to plant this season
Farmers are planning to pull back from wheat, stick with heavy canola acres and boost their durum, barley, oats, lentils, peas and flax acreage, says Agri-Trend founder Rob Saik. However, Saik told the Grain World conference Feb. 23 that a lot could change before seeding, which usually isn’t the case. “We’re far behind the last […] Read more
U.S. study shows crop benefits with neonic use
A University of Wisconsin researcher has concluded there is a benefit to using insecticide seed treatments on soybeans. In a paper published in Crop Science in early February, Shaun Conley and his colleagues determined that Syngenta’s CruiserMaxx product increases soybean plant stand compared to a fungicide-only seed treatment and an untreated check plot in trials […] Read more
The art of cheese
Olga Payne didn’t make a special batch of cheese to enter in the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. The manager of Tiras Dairies simply pulled the cheese out of the cooler shelf and sent it to Toronto for the competition. The Camrose cheese maker won first place in a hard cheese category with her saganaki, second […] Read more
Soybean research targets Sask. fields
Last season’s test plots at Indian Head, Sask., were damaged by an early September frost
WHITE CITY, Sask. — Data is now in from the first year of a soybean research project at the Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation that is providing information specific to Saskatchewan growers. The province’s farmers have expanded their soybean acreage the past few years but are relying largely on information from the United States and […] Read more
Corn grower says feed option provides safety net
Experienced grower advises newcomers to start small to gain experience
Growing grain corn has been a challenge in Manitoba for the last few years, with acreage not booming nearly as much as soybeans. However, farmers at the recent Manitoba Corn Growers Association annual meeting sounded optimistic about continued growth. “In the next year or two I think we definitely have more basis for growth in […] Read more
