(Reuters) — Canada produced more wheat and canola than expected this year, but not as much as 2013’s record levels, according to Statistics Canada’s final crop production report of 2014. Statistics Canada pegged the all-wheat crop at 29.28 million tonnes, up 6.5 percent from its October estimate of 27.5 million tonnes and above the average […] Read more
News
Canada wheat, canola harvests top expectations
EU deal gives countries opt-out on growing approved GM crops
BRUSSELS (Reuters) — The European Union agreed a compromise on growing genetically modified crops on Thursday that gives nations the option to ban them, even if EU authorities have approved them for cultivation. Environmental campaigners said the deal was an improvement on the current regime, but were concerned it would still make it easier to […] Read more
Asian markets restrict Canadian poultry after bird flu outbreak
(Reuters) — The detection of avian influenza on two farms in British Columbia has spurred several Asian markets to restrict imports of Canadian poultry, a Canadian government spokesman said on Wednesday. South Korea has banned imports of Canadian chicks, Hong Kong and Taiwan have imposed trade restrictions on British Columbia poultry and poultry products, and […] Read more
This year may be hottest on record; adds urgency to climate talks
LIMA (Reuters) — This year is on track to be the hottest on record, or at least among the very warmest, the United Nations said on Wednesday in new evidence of long-term warming that adds urgency to 190-nation talks under way in Lima on slowing climate change. Including this year, 14 of the 15 most […] Read more
El Nino chances rise to 65 percent for Northern Hemisphere winter
NEW YORK (Reuters) — The U.S. weather forecaster on Thursday projected a 65 percent chance of El Nino conditions during the Northern Hemisphere winter and into spring, up from a 58 percent chance predicted early in November. The Climate Prediction Center, an agency of the National Weather Service, said in a monthly report it is […] Read more
StatsCan wheat, canola estimates larger than expected
Twitter @ darcemcmillan Statistics Canada’s final crop estimates of the year showed Canadian farmers produced larger than expected crops of spring wheat and canola. The estimates are smaller than the record crop produced in 2013, but are generally larger than the previous estimate published in the September crop outlook. Analysts had expected crops would […] Read more
AG Notes
BEEF SECTOR gets funding A Nova Scotia Cattle Producers project will receive $89,100 in federal funding. It is designed to improve animal health and farm safety and increase producers’ return on investment in the province’s beef sector. The Cattle producers association is contributing $130,000 to the Safe Handling of Cattle Program. As well, federal and […] Read more
Consulting firm connects mining sector with rural communities
Canadian mining companies are coming to realize that economic development in the rural communities near their exploration and ex-traction sites is part of the job. Not only is conflict avoided, but mutually beneficial relationships are also possible, say Monica Ospina of O Trade in Toronto. “The industry didn’t used to think like this. Now they’re […] Read more
Chefs step up to the plate with requested hemp menu
Annual convention | Cooks learn to cook with hemp oil, seed and milk to offer hemp parfait, granola bars and pork topped with hemp demi-glaze
Canada’s hemp association recently challenged an upscale hotel’s cooks to provide hemp-laden meals and snacks for its annual convention. They leapt at the opportunity and say they’ll keep using hemp now that they know some of its potentials, problems and quirks. “It’s extremely versatile,” said Kelly Andreas, the Delta Winnipeg’s banquet chef. “It was a […] Read moreLabour deal inked
The labour dispute at Richardson Milling’s oat plant in Martensville, Sask., has been settled. The dispute ended Nov. 17 after an eight-week lockout. United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1400 members and Richardson Milling have a new contract that runs retroactively from 2013 and introduces a new grid system that sees annual wage increases for […] Read more
