Speakers list dangers at recent meeting Retired genetic scientist draws link between genetic modification and increase in autism, diabetes
The dangers of genetically modified food were examined Dec. 13 at one of the last stops on a month-long British Columbia and Alberta lecture tour organized by GE-Free BC. Speakers Thierry Vrain, a retired genetic scientist formerly with Agriculture Canada, and Shiv Chopra, a former Health Canada scientist fired in 2004, told a Lethbridge meeting […] Read moreNews
North America called out of step with rest of world on GM food
U.S. dairies, horse owners main market for hay
Shortage of high quality | Dairy operations are balancing rations with corn and byproducts
OLDS, Alta. — There is a market for Canadian hay in the United States, but it doesn’t mean it’s a profitable one, says the president of the American Forage and Grasslands Council. Drought, winterkill in alfalfa and fewer acres in hay adds up to a need for more hay, but Chad Hale said American livestock […] Read moreForage crops often viewed as less glamourous
OLDS, Alta. — Grass and hay crops are the not the glamorous crops at the agricultural ball. They’re grown in corners of the farm that aren’t considered suitable for the real crops — wheat and canola — and get the least management attention. “Often times we feel forages take a less higher profile and are […] Read more
Evolving animal welfare laws challenge farmers
The Netherlands lost 10 percent of its farms last year, and the trend is likely to continue, said Ferry Leenstra, project manager of sustainable animal husbandry at Wageningen University. “That implies the farms that stay are going to get larger,” she told a Canadian farm tour hosted by the Dutch economic affairs ministry, which oversees […] Read more
French raid nets charges in horse meat fraud ring
MARSEILLE, France (Reuters) — Police arrested 21 people in raids on the horse meat industry across southern France in mid-December on suspicion that horses used to develop medicines were sold fraudulently for food. Marseille public prosecutor Brice Robin said 200 horses unfit for human consumption had been given false veterinary certificates and slaughtered for meat […] Read more
Retaliation looms if COOL not addressed
Alberta’s agriculture minister says Canada’s battle against country-of-origin labelling will continue, even though changes in the U.S. farm bill are far down the list of priorities for American legislators. Verlyn Olson said he heard a revealing assessment about the complexity of the farm bill and its relationship to COOL during a recent U.S. mission he […] Read more
Where does breakfast come from?
Positive and balanced farm-to-fork messages have never been as important as they are now, says a food writer and hog farm owner. Diana Prichard, author of the new children’s book The Cow in Patrick O’Shanahan’s Kitchen, said knowledge is waning about where food comes from. “My hope is that it spurs discussion among children, who […] Read more
Settlement reached over wheat sale
Midge tolerant variety sold illegally | Producer who sold AC Unity VB didn’t have licence to do so
A Saskatchewan seed grower who sold a midge tolerant wheat variety without proper authorization has reached a settlement in a legal action initiated by SeCan. Gary Christianson and Eastway Holdings of Naicam, Sask., reached an agreement with SeCan last month. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. The settlement stemmed from the illegal, unauthorized sale […] Read moreBayer plans wheat facility
Construction is expected to begin this year on a new wheat breeding facility near Saskatoon. Marcus Weidler, head of cereals seeds and traits at Bayer CropScience, says construction of Bayer’s new Canadian wheat breeding facility will begin this year on a 480-acre parcel of land near Pike Lake, Sask., southwest of Saskatoon. Engineers are in […] Read more
Lavalin wins contract
KHOBAR, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) — Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) has awarded three contracts worth $2.26 billion to Canadian and Asian companies concerning its new phosphate mining and production project. Canada’s SNC Lavalin and China’s Sinopec Engineering Group have won a deal to build a power plant and a sulfuric acid plant, which has a […] Read more
