Corporate ag not sustainable | Vandana Shiva says corporations drain the Earth’s resources; instead, she promotes small, diverse farms
TORONTO — An Indian activist says today’s market economy needs to be knocked from its lofty perch. If the world is to be fed in a sustainable manner, society needs to em-brace an economic order that prioritizes nature and provides equitable access to her bounty, Vandana Shiva told the recent Festival of Dangerous Ideas. “Sooner […] Read moreNews
Activist says technology, capitalism hurting farms
Fertilizer products may not come as advertised
Determining what works | Fertilizer makers no longer have to meet certain quality and efficacy standards for registration
Farmers shouldn’t believe anything they hear or read about certain fertilizer products, says a provincial crop specialist. “You stay in this business a while and you start realizing there’s a lot of useless crap being sold that has dubious claims,” said Harry Brook, a specialist with Alberta Agriculture. He believes that is truer today than […] Read moreRetired farmer eager to serve as rural leader
A retired central Alberta farmer is the new president of the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties. Al Kemmere of Olds was elected Nov. 20 during the association’s annual convention in Edmonton, replacing Wainwright farmer Bob Barss. Kemmere was elected to the Mountain View County council in 2004 and spent six years as reeve. […] Read more
Research foundation budget to hit $18 million
The Western Grain Research Foundation will spend $18 million next year to support field crop research that benefits western Canadian farmers. The WGRF announced its 2015 research spending plans this week, following a Nov. 19 board meeting held in Saskatoon. “WGRF is the largest producer funder of crop research in Canada,” said board chair Dave […] Read more
Forage group lacks funds to halt winter kill
BROMONT, Que. — What comes first, the chicken or the egg? Or, with forages, what comes first, the money or the research? The forage industry says $100,000 would help it access a matching federal grant to fund important re-search. However, the Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association will have only $3,000 in the bank by the […] Read more
Forage crops tough sell to farmers, researchers
BROMONT, Alta. — Forages are the ultimate multi-taskers. They are good for the soil, boost nitrogen levels, preserve moisture, increase yield within a rotation, protect wildlife, feed livestock and act as a water filter and a carbon sink for greenhouse gases. They are also Canada’s largest crop with an estimated value of $5.1 billion. However, […] Read more
Quality cheese starts with forage
Good hay makes better milk | Quebec cheese producers not worried about cheese imports
COMPTON, Que. — No milk is sold from the 80 Holstein cows that are milked every day at the organic Boulduc farm. Instead, the milk is made into organic cheese at the farm’s La Station Fromagerie. What started as a small cheese-making idea 10 years ago has turned into an award-winning cheese business in Quebec’s […] Read moreProgram collects data on farm use of antibiotics
ATLANTA, Ga. — Canadian scientists have been looking for antibiotic resistance in bacteria for nearly 10 years. The Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance scans meat and poultry in grocery stores and oversees hog and poultry farms as it looks for trends in antimicrobial use and potential resistance. It targets organisms such as salmonella, […] Read more
Alta. gov’t to fund rural seniors facilities
Rural Alberta seniors facilities are getting a much-needed financial boost. Alberta premier Jim Prentice announced $160 million of new money over four years to build and renovate rural seniors facilities. “Enabling seniors to stay in their own community in familiar surroundings is a key to their health, and keeping them happy is something we’ll be […] Read more
Ont. beekeepers annoyed with national council
MARKHAM, Ont. — The Ontario Beekeepers Association has not parted ways with the Canadian Honeybee Council, but it is being less supportive. Members attending the OBA’s annual meeting in Markham Nov. 21 voted to hold back assessment fees to the CHC. The resolution cited what it called the honey council’s failure to represent the entire […] Read more
