New regulations | Respondents said agency should step up enforcement and issue penalties
WHITEWOOD, Sask. — Only 500 people participated in Saskatchewan’s online consultations on agricultural drainage, far below the 1,500 farmers officials had hoped to hear from. However, the findings from that forum and follow-up meetings are being compiled into a final report, and Doug Johnson, acting executive director of integrated water services with the Water Security […] Read moreNews
WTO sees global trade pact within two weeks
BRISBANE, Australia (Reuters) — The World Trade Organization said on Friday there was a “high probability” that a major deal on streamlining global customs rules will be implemented within two weeks after India and the United States overcame a key impasse. “I would say that we have a high probability that the Bali package will […] Read more
First Nations sue to stop proposed B.C. dam
By Mary MacArthur Camrose bureau One of what’s expected to be a long list of lawsuits against BC Hydro’s Site C dam has been filed in Federal Court Oct. 12. The Mikisew Cree First Nation and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation filed the lawsuit opposing the dam project on the Peace River in British Columbia, saying […] Read more
Canada says condominium developer to ship canola oil to China
WINNIPEG (Reuters) — A condominium developer has signed a $1 billion deal to export Canadian canola oil to China, according to the Ottawa government. The deal was one of more than 20 commercial agreements signed during Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s visit to China, which wrapped up this week. The government said on its website on […] Read more
Farm groups, ag tech companies agree on data privacy standards
(Reuters) — A consortium of U.S. farmer organizations and agriculture data technology providers on Thursday published a set of data privacy and security principles aimed at reassuring farmers that data they share with big data services providers will not be misused. The non-binding principles are also meant to provide companies that collect, store and analyze […] Read more
Beef club leader heads to Alberta 4-H Hall of Fame
EDMONTON — Like father, like son. Charlie Gould has followed his father, Stan, into the Alberta 4-H Hall of Fame. Charlie Gould was inducted into the Alberta 4-H Hall of Fame Oct. 5 after 42 years as a member and leader of the Rosalind Beef Club. His father, Stan, was inducted into the Hall of […] Read more
Nest box project keeps birds singing
Loss of habitat | Alberta conservation group monitors network of nesting trails
They sit on the posts of barbed wire fences that are strung across much of southern Alberta. Nest boxes, used by brilliantly hued mountain bluebirds, are monitored by volunteers and largely responsible for increasing the population of this native songbird species in the region. Southern Alberta’s Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society meets regularly to discuss […] Read more
Cattle producers proud of award
Dave and Sheila Crittall had many words to describe their feelings upon winning the Cattleman of the Year Award at the Lloydminster Stockade Roundup Oct. 31. “Humbled, honoured, floored, aghast, shocked,” said Sheila. “There are many, many, many deserving people in this area. It’s truly an honour to be included among them.” Kelly Sidoryk, a […] Read more
Healthy soil comes from plants on top, microbes below
Rebuilding topsoil | Farmers need to know how to make environment conducive to microbes
OLDS, Alta. — Nature abhors a vacuum, and that includes bare patches of soil exposed to the elements. Australian soil scientist Christine Jones is among a group of researchers preaching to farmers about the importance of green plants growing on the surface and a healthy community of microbes living underground. It all starts with photosynthesis […] Read more
Canola bioplastic trashes trash
Biodegradable bags, bottles, containers | Company may look at building processing plant in Canada
Like millions of others, Michael Smith feels guilty when he eats at a fast food restaurant. In his case, Smith doesn’t regret the fat and sugar in the meal. He feels badly about what ends up in the trash. “Last week I ate at a (fast food restaurant) with my family. After dinner, we looked […] Read more
