Rye’s secret weapon is its hardy kernel and physical structure, an environmental armour that provides a sensory punch
This is part of an ongoing series of stories exploring rye, the crop, as it becomes Rye, the whisky. Many tipplers talk about whisky-making as a craft or an art. But long before whisky can become a work of art, the chemistry’s got to be done right. Whisky’s flavours come from the interplay of a […] Read moreNews
Researchers find temperature sensors on plant roots
Knowing that roots integrate temperature information independent of shoots may help breeders develop better varieties
Plants respond to the ambient temperature with growth patterns that adjust as the temperature changes. But how they do it has remained a mystery. Recently, researchers at Martin Luther University in Halle-Wittenberg, Germany, discovered that roots’ temperature and sensing systems are independent of the plant’s shoots. The study could lead to new methods in plant […] Read more
Water sharing agreements ‘helpful’ in a drought
As reservoir levels stabilize in southern Alberta, a consulting company says it’s crucial that all stakeholders work together
Irrigation districts in southern Alberta managed a tough growing season as drought maintains a stubborn hold and calls for maintaining co-operation between stakeholders and better water storage infrastructure continues. From the Milk River along the U.S. border to the Hay River running into the Northwest Territories, 50 water shortage advisories are currently in place across […] Read more
Sask. farmer tracks down bison rubbing stones
Landowners are asked to take photos of rubbing stones and share them with others as a first step in creating a database
A Saskatchewan-based farmer and agricultural researcher is embarking on an initiative to document bison rubbing stones and share the special place they have on the Prairies. Rubbing stones are traditionally large boulders found on the Prairies, which were left following the retreat of the ice sheets that once covered the plains. They subsequently were polished […] Read more
Steps can be taken to save monarch butterflies
Conducting population counts and planting natural habitat such as milkweed can help keep that numbers at viable levels
The monarch butterfly migration is a rare phenomenon, taking several generations to make one round trip. All along their migration route, from Canada to Mexico, efforts are being made to protect existing overwintering areas, or to re-establish historic ones. This species, through its drastic decline in population since 2018 at only one percent of their […] Read more
Canada may be in recession
OTTAWA (Reuters) — The Canadian economy stalled in August and likely slipped into a shallow recession in the third quarter, data showed Oct. 31. It’s a sign that the central bank’s 10 interest rate hikes since last year are weighing on growth. With the economy stumbling along slower than the Bank of Canada forecast the […] Read more
Bunge lifts 2023 outlook on vegoil success
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — Global crop trader and processor Bunge lifted its 2023 outlook on Oct 26 after its third-quarter profit topped Wall Street expectations, though earnings were lower year-on-year. Solid crushing results in Brazil, Asia and North America, and strong vegetable oil demand helped the world’s largest oilseed processor offset weaker results in Argentina, […] Read more
JBS improves cattle record
SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters) — JBS, the world’s largest meat packer, has reduced cattle purchases from ranches with “irregularities” such as illegal deforestation, federal prosecutors found in their latest round of audits in the Amazonian state of Para. Prosecutors said in a briefing that six percent of JBS’s audited cattle purchases came from farms potentially […] Read more
October was an average month weather-wise
A warm start to spring this year resulted in some very early dates for the last spring frost, and a warm first half of fall made for some late first fall frosts. This resulted in a remarkably long frost-free season. While I don’t have all the data for the longest frost-free seasons, the 156 days […] Read more
Ag Notes
B.C. program supports new farmers British Columbia’s New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program is intended to help new and small-scale farmers expand their businesses and strengthen food security in their communities. Farmers can apply for the first phase of the program, which provides support for business planning and a growth strategy. The second phase will […] Read more
