The Calgary Stampede has disqualified the winning animal in its steer competition after it tested positive for the painkiller Banamine. Testing positive for drugs is in “contravention of the competition’s rules,” said a Calgary Stampede news release. “We are committed to animal care and welfare and we will continue to enhance rules, regulations and policies […] Read more
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Stampede steer champion disqualified after drug test
Major grain handlers happy with transition to open market
CORRECTION – August 6. 2013 – This story originally referred to Kyle Jeworski as Viterra’s vice-president and chief executive officer for North America. Jeworski’s title is actually president and chief executive officer for North America. A top executive with Canada’s largest grain handling company says the industry has adjusted well to operating in a deregulated […] Read more
Alberta crop report looks positive
PEACE Crop conditions continue to be favourable with frequent showers and warm temperatures. Crops are generally looking good, but farmers are encouraged to monitor for disease. Canola has finished flowering in most areas, but there are pockets of late seeded crops with canola still flowering. The Peace region canola survey wrapped up at the end […] Read more
Pro-open market supporters gather to celebrate one year anniversary of single desk’s demise
Canada’s agriculture minister began his day Aug. 1 seeing Tweets and Facebook posts about the beautiful blue sky across Western Canada. The sky had not fallen a year after the CWB monopoly ended, Gerry Ritz told farmers gathered at a Pense, Sask., farm to mark the anniversary. Hearing from producers was a good way to […] Read more
Grain commission user fees take effect today
The Canadian grain industry entered a new crop year on Aug. 1 and with it came significant changes to the services offered by the Canadian Grain Commission and the fees that will be charged. Beginning Aug. 1, the Canadian Grain Commission will eliminate some services and charge more for others. The changes are part of […] Read more
Giant ragweed out of place in Manitoba
MELITA, Man. — Bending over carefully so he wouldn’t drop the microphone, Scott Chalmers reached down to pick up a metre long plant lying on the ground. Chalmers, a diversification specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, held the plant high above his head to show it to the 60 people attending the Westman Agricultural Diversification Organization field […] Read more
Alberta Wheat Commission has a new general manager
Doug Cornell is the new general manager of the one-year-old Alberta Wheat Commission. He replaces former manager Rick Istead, who has retired. Cornell has a background in agricultural production and management, commodity marketing and customer relations. AWC chair Kent Erickson said in a news release that Cornell’s network of connections should serve the commission well. […] Read more
Ironing out open market wrinkles
Co-ordination, pricing | Producers learning to assess contracts, deal with buyers
Like many other prairie grain growers, Chuck Fossey is reserving judgment on whether farmers are better off now that single desk grain marketing is a thing of the past. “I think it’s still a little bit too early to say how the new system is working after just one year,” said Fossey, who farms near […] Read more
$15M will assist pulse projects
Boosting production | Genetics, agronomy and processing targeted
The federal government is kicking in $15 million over the next five years to support pulse industry research aimed at developing new varieties, expanding markets, improving agronomic practices and boosting production. Federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz made the announcement July 29 in Saskatoon, calling the Canadian pulse industry a key driver of the Canadian economy. […] Read more
Need a new gear by noon? Get it printed
Greg Thorstad can imagine a day when farmers will be able to order and receive parts for broken machinery in a matter of hours. His vision looks something like this: A farmer walks into a shop, looking for a hard to find item, for example an old model gasket or gear. Staff receive the order, […] Read more
