The European Union remains one of the most GMO-skeptical markets in the world, but agriculture minister Gerry Ritz figures he is making progress on opening doors for Canadian products. However, he acknowledged during a Jan. 20 telephone news conference after a weekend meeting of world agriculture ministers in Berlin that there are holdouts, who he […] Read more
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Some EU states steadfast on GMOs
Alberta lists PED as reportable disease in hogs
A ‘serious threat’ | But diagnosis of porcine epidemic diarrhea won’t trigger quarantine
The hog disease that has been devastating U.S. pigs has become a reportable disease in Alberta. The province officially declared porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus and transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) reportable diseases in Alberta, said Alberta Agriculture veterinarian Dr. Julia Keenliside. Only PED is a serious threat, but it is impossible to tell the difference between […] Read moreFarmers urged to demand better grain movement
Hold ag minister accountable | Gov’t has role to play in fixing transportation problems
Grain growers are not demanding enough from their federal agriculture minister on the transportation file, according to two CropSphere 2014 presenters. Glen Hodgson, chief economist of the Conference Board of Canada, was asked for his thoughts on rail transportation during a question and answer session following his presentation. He said he delivered a similar global […] Read moreBetter Beef campaign a hit with consumers: A&W
Burger sales up | Canadian cattle producers irked by commercials hinting cattle given growth promotants are a health threat
A&W Canada is pleased with customer response to its Better Beef campaign, nearly four months after its controversial decision to serve beef from animals given no added hormones or steroids. Susan Senecal, chief marketing officer with the fast food chain, said the marketing campaign has exceeded expectations. “(We’ve) received an unprecedented number of communications, directly […] Read moreDutch order recall of French horse meat
AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands (Reuters) — Dutch food safety authorities have ordered five Dutch companies to recall 11,000 kilograms of improperly labelled French horse meat that was turned into food products in the Netherlands. However, the country’s economic affairs ministry said the food had been delivered via Belgium to the Netherlands between January and October and […] Read more
Research foundation identifies need for agronomy work
Western Canadian review Western Grains Research Foundation assessing the capacity of public institutions to address needs of industry
The Western Grains Research Foundation plans to review agronomic research capacity in Western Canada. The WGRF announced Jan. 10 that it is seeking outside proposals to assess the capacity for agronomic research across the West. The foundation has set aside $100,000 to pay for the review, which it wants to complete by May. The process […] Read moreHigh yields make quality pedigreed seed easy to find
Saskatchewan’s pedigreed seed growers followed a difficult and disease-filled 2012 by harvesting an exceptional seed crop last year. Saskatchewan Seed Growers Association president Laurie Wakefield says certified seed for most crops and varieties should be in plentiful supply in 2014. “This year, with the exception of one or two very isolated areas and one or […] Read more
Cut nitrogen by 50 lb. zero-till farmers told
Wheat and durum only | Research was carried out in North Dakota and is not recommended for the Canadian Prairies
MINOT, N.D. — Dave Franzen of North Dakota State University believes in following the data. So when North Dakota field data indicated that long-term, no-till fields require less nitrogen than conventionally tilled soils, the extension soil specialist told no tillage farmers to cut their nitrogen rates by 50 pounds per acre. “That’s the just way […] Read moreProducers urged to limit glyphosate
Chem-fallow fields an issue | Growers advised to stop using glyphosate as standalone herbicide
An Agriculture Canada weed scientist is praising farmers two years after a new herbicide resistant weed was discovered in Western Canada. However, while Hugh Beckie said many growers are taking the necessary steps to delay the spread of herbicide resistant weeds, some may want to rethink how they employ chem-fallow fields in their cropping systems. […] Read moreHemp fibre processors plan facilities in Alberta
One hemp fibre plant will be built and another is probable in southern Alberta, according to officials from two different companies. Cylab International plans to move its operations from China to an undetermined location in southern Alberta. “It’s definitely going ahead,” said Cylab chief executive officer Brett Boag Jan. 17. “We are still determining the […] Read more
