Plant diversity called a must | North Dakota farmer says monoculture agriculture is a detriment to soil health
VULCAN, Alta. — While on a road trip through Alberta from Grande Prairie to Vulcan at the end of October, Gabe Brown was distressed to see nothing growing in many of the fields he passed. Cover up that land year round, was his advice at a soils workshop held in Vulcan Oct. 30. The North […] Read moreNews
Year-round plant growth urged for healthy soil
CWB’s first laker sets course for new home
CWB Marquis | The ship, which will move grain east from Thunder Bay, Ont., was part of a controversial deal three years ago
The first of two ships being built for CWB is on its way to Canada. The company took delivery of the CWB Marquis Oct. 31. The Equinox-class laker, named after a popular variety of Canadian wheat, is now on its maiden voyage across the Pacific Ocean and is expected to reach the Saint Lawrence Seaway […] Read moreWind power proponent argues for more prairie presence
Alberta has enough wind to generate all of its electrical needs — if it were harnessed through wind power projects. Tim Weis, Alberta director for the Canadian Wind Energy Association, said that isn’t likely to happen, given the province’s economic investment in fossil fuels, but it would be possible in theory. Weis told a Nov. […] Read more
2014 U.S. farm exports hit record
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Reuters) — U.S. agricultural exports for fiscal 2014 hit a record US$152.5 billion, easily surpassing the previous high of $141 billion from last year. “Agricultural exports have climbed 41 percent in value over the past five years,” said U.S. agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack. “U.S. agricultural exports have increased in volume as well as […] Read more
Republican win in Senate may move COOL amendment to front burner
Legislation to fix country-of-origin labelling is more likely but far from a sure thing now that the Republican Party is about to control the U.S. Senate, says the National Pork Producers Council. Republicans took at least 52 seats in the U.S. Senate in last week’s midterm elections Nov. 4. The party could increase its grip […] Read more
U.S. in limbo over China’s stance on GM crop safety
(Reuters) — Dow Chemical Co. has finally received U.S. government approval for a package of chemicals and new genetically modified crops, but now it faces a major obstacle to a US$1 billion market opportunity: Chinese import barriers. The Asian nation has become a major buyer of U.S. corn and soybeans in recent years but has […] Read more
Temporary foreign workers often pursue new life
Temporary Foreign Worker Program | General manager at Alberta facility is now a Canadian citizen
RED DEER — The Temporary Foreign Worker Program isn’t just about giving employers access to foreign workers. For the foreign workers, it’s access to a new life. Christo Hurtado took a leap of faith and moved his family from Mexico to southern Alberta for work at a feedlot. It was also a chance at a […] Read moreAgriculture will have to recruit from new groups, say analysts
RED DEER — There are no easy solutions to the farm labour shortage, but matching current trends in underemployment may be a start, says a director with the Conference Board of Canada. One of the biggest trends is a desire for part-time work, Michael Burt said during an agricultural labour summit. “It may be a […] Read more
Cut greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2100: UN
Options outlined | Compilation of scientific research used to assess the impact from carbon pollution and offer solutions to combat problems
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (Reuters) — Governments can keep climate change in check at manageable costs, says a new United Nations report. However, they will have to cut greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2100 to limit fast-worsening risks, it said. The 40-page synthesis, which summed up 5,000 pages of work by 800 scientists already published since […] Read moreAustralia, China cattle deal estimated at $970M per year
SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) — Australia will export up to one million head of cattle a year to China once a long-awaited deal is signed. The agreement, which is expected to be signed shortly, would be worth around $970 million a year and help meet a growing appetite for red meat. Australian agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce […] Read more
