The work of American researchers should provide plant breeders with new tools in the fight against the Ug99 race of wheat stem rust. Ug99 has been identified as a threat to world food security. In separate reports recently published in the journal Science, researchers from the University of California, Davis, document how they introduced Ug99 […] Read more
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Researchers identify Ug99 resistant genes
Ottawa provides $14 million for beef research
AIRDRIE, Alta. — The federal government has committed $14 million to beef cattle research over the next five years. The Beef Cattle Industry Science Cluster will manage the money to improve beef quality and food safety, animal health and welfare, disease detection, forage production and feed efficiency, federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz said in an […] Read more
Young people tackle world problems at international conference
The challenge of feeding nine billion people in less than 50 years has been put to 118 young people from 20 countries at the youth agriculture global summit being held in Calgary this week. While that question is already stymieing the experts, the sponsors of this event decided it was time to ask those who […] Read more
BHP delays $14 billion Canada potash push as profit drops
MELBOURNE/LONDON (Reuters) — Miner BHP Billiton mapped out a cautious approach to expanding into potash today, keeping a $14 billion Canadian project alive but delaying production at the giant deposit until at least 2020. In its first set of results under new chief executive officer Andrew Mackenzie, BHP outlined its plan to keep options open […] Read more
Ag Canada seeking feedback on proposed changes to variety registration system
Ottawa is seeking feedback from farmers, seed growers and others on proposed changes to Canada’s variety registration system. Agriculture Canada has posted an on-line document entitled Crop Variety Registration in Canada: Issues and Options. The document, which can be viewed on Agriculture Canada’s website, outlines measures that could be taken to streamline Canada’s variety registration […] Read more
Canada asks for COOL panel
The Canadian government is appealing again to the World Trade Organization to force changes in U.S country-of-origin labeling rules that beef and pork exporters say are billion dollar trade barriers. While the industry projects costs into the hundreds of millions of dollars, it also expects the latest government appeal to take a year or more […] Read more
Alberta crop report
Crop conditions are generally good to excellent in most areas. Harvest is underway and expected to be in full progress soon. Heavy rain, cooler weather and hail storms have delayed haying operations in some areas and affected quality. However, overall hay quality is good to excellent. Sub-surface moisture conditions have greatly improved and are in […] Read more
Major crop futures fall
Canola and soybeans broke their recent winning streak today, succumbing to broad weakness in crop futures. November dipped beneath the confidence-bolstering $500 mark during the session, but clawed back some of its loss to close down two dollars per tonne at $500.60. January closed down $2.20 at $506.30. All three major crops’ futures fell Friday, […] Read more
Merck suspends growth promotant
(Reuters) — American drug maker Merck & Co. said today it is temporarily suspending sales of its Zilmax animal feed additive in the United States and Canada. The moves comes after concerns were raised about use of the product, which is given to increase cattle weight before slaughter. Zilmax has been the focus of attention […] Read more
Stampede winning steer’s blood sample destroyed before second test
A blood sample taken from the winning steer at the Calgary Stampede has been destroyed before it could be retested, said one of its owners. Royden Anderson said a letter from the Calgary Stampede lawyers said the sample was disposed of. “We were going to send the sample to be retested,” said Anderson. The Calgary […] Read more
