Saskatchewan crop researchers qualified for $8.3 million in government funding through the province’s Agriculture Development Fund in 2012. It was the highest amount ever approved by the ADF in a single funding year. The money, which is usually distributed over several years, will help pay for research that could result in higher yielding crops, better […] Read more
News — page 2495
Crop research projects get record ADF funding
Timing right for northern terminal sale
Just like the television game show, “the price was right” for the sale of Great Northern Grain Terminal’s Nampa, Alta., facility to grain giant Richardson International. Bruce Horner, chief executive officer of Great Northern Grain, said Richardson would likely have built its own terminal down the road if the smaller company didn’t sell, which would […] Read more
Food sector gets marketing money
SPRUCE GROVE, Alta. — Federal funding to help promote Canadian food and beverages abroad gives a real boost to Canadian companies, says a director of the Canadian Honey Council. Bernie Rousseau said the $600,000 funding would help companies such as Bee Maid Honey expand exports. “The funding program is tremendously valuable. It really helps,” said […] Read more
Program urges switch to biomass
Coal users in Manitoba are being offered funding assistance to encourage them to switch to biomass energy products. The Manitoba Biomass Energy Support Program provides $400,000 in funds to help coal users switch and to support the expansion of the biomass energy production industry. Biomass can be produced from residue such as straw, oat hulls […] Read more
Budget cuts may hit Ag Canada
A left-leaning Ottawa research centre is warning that impending government cuts in an expected March budget could mean the loss of hundreds of Agriculture Canada jobs and deep spending cuts. In a Jan. 23 report, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives projected that more than 600 Agriculture Canada positions could be eliminated and $220 million […] Read more
Cargill expands beef storage
Cargill’s beef slaughter plant in High River, Alta., is upgrading its facilities to increase boxed beef storage and use its own waste products to produce electricity. Steve Molitor of Cargill said the plant can store 45,000 boxes of beef but produces 35,000 boxes daily. That has required it to ship and store boxed beef in […] Read more
Events for Feb. 2, 2012
Coming events Feb. 1-9 FLC-CIGI online biodiesel workshop Feb. 1-2 Manitoba Swine Seminar Victoria Inn Hotel and Conference Centre Winnipeg (Dallas Ballance 204-475-8585 dallas@goodwinballance.ca www.manitobaswineseminar.ca) Feb. 2 Dairy Farmers of Canada Dairy Policy Conference Fairmont Chateau Laurier Ottawa (613-236-9997 elizabeth.west@dfc-plc.ca) Feb. 2 Managing Success seminar Manitou Springs Hotel Watrous Sask. (306-946-3220) Feb. 7-March 8 FLC […] Read more
Secret to parasite resistance found in African sheep
Mapping genome | Identifying traits that increase tolerance to infection can help determine best breeding combinations
LINDELL BEACH, B.C. — Scientists have discovered genetic resistance to a parasite nematode that infects sheep. Researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Kenya detected quantitative trait loci (QTL) genetic locations on chromosomes for resistance to gastrointestinal nematode parasites while studying a double-backcross population of African native […] Read moreLetters — for Feb. 2, 2012
Trade deal on beef sparks hope for pork producers
Canada’s recent deal with South Korea to resume trade in Canadian beef should be an impetus to resume free trade talks that would help the pork sector, say industry players. However, there is no guarantee that will happen. So far, Ottawa has been silent on the prospect for renewed free trade talks with Korea, which […] Read more
