MOSCOW (Reuters) — Russia, one of the world’s top wheat exporters, is preparing to buy grain on the domestic market in line with its restocking campaign, an agricultural ministry representative told Reuters on Friday, signaling increased competition with exporters. Russia is looking to rebuild depleted stocks after a drought last year, which slashed its wheat […] Read more
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Russia prepares to buy its own grain to boost stocks
Youngster proud of hefty purchase
MOOSE JAW, Sask. — Many young boys save up to buy their first vehicle, but Ethan Harty’s purchase is likely one of a kind. The 11-year-old from Strome, Alta., with income from 4-H steers and some help from his dad, bought a steam-powered tractor. At $35,000, he figures he got a deal. “That’s cheap,” he […] Read more
‘Bumper’ doesn’t cover it
The grain industry might have to come up with a new term for this year’s harvest because bumper crop doesn’t adequately describe what’s coming off the combines. “In my 25 years in the grain business, I’ve never seen a crop this big from corner to corner,” said Derek Squair, president of Agri-Trend Marketing Inc. Based […] Read more
DNA mapping project records Barcode of Life
GUELPH, Ont. — Staff at a little-known research centre tucked into the edge of the University of Guelph are recording the genetic identity of hundreds of thousands of species worldwide. The project — the International Barcode of Life — is revolutionary, unique and audacious, promising to record the DNA code of all flora and fauna […] Read more
Forensic analyst debunks food claims using DNA
Revolutionary bar coding technique | Fraudsters with false food labels can now be caught red-handed with new technology
GUELPH, Ont. — Restaurateurs beware: Chris Weland is not the guy you want to serve a bogus meat dish to if he is out for a meal. The forensic analyst at the University of Guelph’s Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding has used his former police sleuthing skills and the university’s revolutionary bar coding techniques to […] Read more
Firm aims to double hay exports
Hay dehydration system | Company hopes expansion will entice more alfalfa and timothy hay growers
Canada’s largest exporter of compressed hay is about to get larger. Green Prairie International Inc. of Lethbridge is adding a hay dehydration system to its operation, which has sold compressed forage to international markets for 25 years. GPI president John Van Hierden said the expansion will allow hay harvest to start up to three weeks […] Read more
$38M easement will protect Alberta ranch land
The wind through the pines, the rustle of rough fescue grass and the burble of creeks are the most common sounds on Waldron Ranch, a 30,535 acre stretch of native grassland between the Rockies and the Porcupine Hills. And that’s the way this home on the range north of Lundbreck, Alta., along the fabled Cowboy […] Read more
One standard for all processors
Manitoba’s food safety regulations are sufficient for allowing small-scale food processors to produce food fit for consumers, says a Manitoba Agriculture food safety manager. Processors are free to use whatever methods fit their operation, so long as they guarantee food safety. “It doesn’t really matter whether you’re a small-scale producer, a local food producer or […] Read more
Pulse exporter adamantly against GM crops
One of the world’s largest pulse processing firms has no appetite for genetically modified pulses, but the head of a major crop research institute thinks they should at least be on the menu. Murad Al-Katib, president of Alliance Grain Traders Inc., stressed the importance of being able to market peas, lentils and other pulses as […] Read more
Viterra plans new construction
Building and expanding | President suggests ‘very considerable investments’ in the works
The grain company that helped usher in an era of elevator consolidation in Western Canada has a new vision that includes new construction. “We are going to invest in our network,” Kyle Jeworski, president of Viterra North America, said during a presentation he delivered at Ag West Bio Inc.’s annual meeting. “We will be very […] Read more
