Schulte Industries has expanded its production capabilities to keep up with growing demand. The farm equipment manufacturer from Edgefield, Sask., recently completed a $3 million, seven-month-long construction project, which adds 21,000 sq. feet to its plant. “The main reason we’re doing this is we’ve had some good growth in our sales, both domestically and internationally,” […] Read more
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Schulte Industries expands to meet international demand
Agricultural innovation needs more promotion
Soil biochemist and former Dow AgroSciences Canada researcher Bill McGregor thinks the agriculture industry doesn’t brag enough. Farming research and technology have resulted in major boosts to productivity and quality, but it isn’t common knowledge among an increasingly urban population. “I don’t think we really stand up and take credit for what we do,” he […] Read more
Agriculture research expected to focus on wheat
Long-term research needed | Other research priorities may include nutrient management and ‘enabling technologies’
Wheat development is one of five or six long-term projects that agricultural research will boil down to in the next few years, says soil scientist and professor Bill McGregor. The crop has already been at least partially established as a research focal point through last year’s formation of the Canadian Wheat Alliance at the University […] Read moreSask. premier supports grain handling initiative
Backlog a priority | Brad Wall says the province depends on exports and wants immediate action to improve rail service
Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall has thrown his support behind recently announced federal initiatives aimed at improving rail service for agricultural shippers. Wall told the 2014 Saskatchewan Agriculture Trade Summit in Sask-atoon that a record harvest is straining the transportation system. He said the Saskatchewan government supports Ottawa’s efforts to enhance the grain-monitoring program and increase […] Read moreSyngenta vows cost cuts of $1 billion
ZURICH, Switzerland (Reuters) — Syngenta is aiming to increase cost cutting to $1 billion a year by 2018, it said after disappointing the market with an 11 percent fall in profit last year. Earnings were hit by higher seed production costs, a write down on seed inventories and lower-than-expected sales in crop protection in the […] Read more
Air ambulance service delay irks farmers
Anger is simmering about Manitoba’s suspended rural air ambulance service, and some of that heat seethed out into public view during Keystone Agricultural Producers’ annual convention. “The helicopter’s on standby. The crews are sitting there ready to go. We’re just sitting, waiting for the government to give the OK,” said Chris McCallister, a Portage La […] Read more
Farm bill slices food assistance, keeps COOL
Hemp research gets $400 million | A subsidy for blending biofuel has been nixed, and a new Christmas tree tax added
(Reuters) — The new U.S. farm bill will cost an estimated $956 billion over 10 years, a saving of $16.6 billion compared with current funding, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The following are some provisions of the wide-ranging legislation, which comprises everything from food stamps and farm subsidies to meat labelling and crop insurance. […] Read moreNow: Today’s hogs owe much to Landrace, Yorkshire genes; Then: Landrace pigs now registered in Canada
NOW: The Landrace breed, which was first registered more than 50 years ago, is one of the major breeds whose genetics help assemble the modern pig. “Further up the chain, probably before the farm needs to worry about it, there will be herds of pure large whites (Yorkshire) and pure Landraces (which are crossed), which […] Read more
China missing from list of Canadian trade deals
Commodity groups applaud the federal government for its work on negotiating free trade agreements but say there is one noticeable omission. Cameron MacKay, director general of the Trade Negotiations Bureau at Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, recently provided an update on Canada’s FTA negotiations. He told delegates attending the 2014 Saskatchewan Agriculture […] Read more
Drought may see California farmers idle 500,000 acres of cropland
Irrigation cut back | Consumers can expect higher prices and major job cuts in ag sector
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Reuters) — Drought-stricken California farmers facing drastic cutbacks in irrigation water are expected to idle 500,000 acres of cropland this year. It is a record production loss that could cause billions of dollars in economic damage, industry officials said. Large-scale crop losses in California would undoubtedly lead to higher consumer prices, especially […] Read more
