News
COOL lawsuit filed in U.S. court

Canola research targets seven goals
Canola council to lead project | Federal government contributes $15 million to projects
The federal government will contribute $15 million toward a new research cluster for canola, which will focus on sustainable production and differentiating canola from its competitors. Combined with industry contributions, the investment represents a $20 million commitment in canola research and innovation over the next five years. The $15 million commitment, through Growing Forward 2, […] Read more
Ottawa’s support for biofuel industry cools
Ethanol mandate | Farmers cannot meet the current mandate without imports, so a higher content is not feasible, says Ritz
HALIFAX — The federal government is closing the tap to increased support for the biofuel industry after more than $1 billion in support, says agriculture minister Gerry Ritz. “I think the investments made early on have built the industry as large as it’s going to get,” he said. Ritz said the industry lobby for an […] Read more
Manitoba wrestles with storms, drainage issues
Severe storms | Man-made drainage and lack of wetlands blamed for increased flooding
Residents of southwestern Manitoba can’t seem to catch a break from wet and stormy weather this summer. Severe weather once again roared through the region July 21, dumping more rain on already soggy soil. At least one tornado was confirmed between Deloraine and Boissevain, and two others near Waskada and Goodlands were being investigated. A […] Read moreTwo farmers appointed energy commissioners in Alberta

Trees show promise in petroleum site restoration
Healthy trees, clean soil | Roots, bacteria attack soil contaminants and help restore land
An experiment using trees to clean up heavily contaminated soil is working. Federated Co-operatives Ltd. and the University of Saskatchewan’s soil sciences department have pioneered the process during the past 15 years to restore contaminated petroleum sites to their original state, leaving green spaces in five rural locations in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The groves of […] Read more
Land’s future in safe hands with NCC easement
Protecting natural habitat | Property owner says he felt an obligation to preserve the land’s unique characteristics
Different people see beauty in different things. Retired businessperson Bob Armstrong sees it in the trees and grass and rolling hills that border the North Saskatchewan River. So when four quarters of native prairie and untouched riverbank came up for sale near Maymont, Sask., in the late 1990s, Armstrong was determined to buy the land […] Read more
Farmers will pay for recycling with higher ag plastic prices
Producer car shipment numbers falling
Shipments down 40 percent | Farm group blames decline on elimination of single desk
The amount of Canadian grain shipped on producer cars is down sharply in 2012-13, according to figures obtained through the Canadian Grain Commission. Producer car shipments as of early July were down almost 40 percent from the previous year, according to the CGC figures. As of July 10, the number of hopper cars filled by […] Read more