The Canadian government is being hypocritical in pursuing a low level presence policy for unapproved genetically modified crops, says an anti-biotechnology crusader. “Low level presence punches a big hole right through the government’s claim that our regulation of GM foods is science-based,” said Lucy Sharratt, co-ordinator of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network. Agriculture Canada wants […] Read more
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GM policy seen to hurt food safety
Discovery of biological control benefits resistant varieties
WINNIPEG — Almost every one of the millions of distinct species that live on Earth has a natural enemy that will consume or destroy it if given half a chance. That biological reality explains why Vladimir Vujanovic, a University of Saskatchewan microbiologist, was particularly excited when he discovered a fungus that could destroy one of […] Read more
Ottawa to carry CWB bill forward despite ruling
Despite a strongly worded reproach from a Federal Court judge, the Conservative government insists its bill to dismantle the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly will be through Parliament and into law this week. The Senate wrapped up committee hearings Dec. 12 and was scheduled to complete final debate and a vote late Dec. 15, just before […] Read more
French eye meaty, polled Charolais to take home
French cattle producers who want to improve one of their native herds are staring across the pond. Bryan Hicks is Canada’s first Charolais breeder to export semen to France, where the breed originated. Hicks, who farms near Arthur, Ont., has spent decades refining his cattle based on carcass development and a homozygous polled trait. “They […] Read more
Concave designers think inside the box
Changing concaves to match every crop and field condition might improve axial flow combine performance, but it’s a grueling time-consuming task. John Deere STS owners understand the benefits of an aggressive concave for tough conditions and a smooth concave that’s gentle on canola, but it’s hard to justify taking time to change concaves in the […] Read more
Short lines safe: rail officials
While some short-line railways and supporters warn that the demise of the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly will hurt them, national railway officials were in Ottawa to offer some assurances. Senior Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railway officials were at the Senate agriculture committee Dec. 7 to insist the grain handling and transportation system will continue […] Read more
Alberta power line hits snag
A controversial power line that may have been routed through southern Alberta’s scenic Porcupine Hills has been halted, at least temporarily, following a ruling from the Alberta Utilities Commission. The AUC said it had not approved the need for the proposed 240 kV Fidler line planned by Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), the province’s electricity […] Read more
Combine owners test Sunnybrook boxes
Sunnybrook put a number of box style concaves into farmer-owned STS combines for real-world field-testing during the 2011 harvest. Each farmer had access to the four types of boxes. Shawn Abel of Calmar, Alta. , installed a box style concave on his 9750. “In wheat, we ran the 45 degree max thresh on the first […] Read more
Export markets an option for CWB
The idea has been around for years, but it got one more trip around the track last week as a possible compromise in the bitter Canadian Wheat Board debate. University of Saskatchewan agricultural economist Murray Fulton suggested to the Senate agriculture committee Dec. 8 that an alternative to the current all-single-desk-or-nothing approach would be to […] Read more
Cater to consumer desires, concerns, says ag motivator
In Jolene Brown’s world, pigs fly. The Iowa farmer and professional speaker saw a pig land on the road in front of her car, where it was dropped by a marauding eagle. “Man, if you can see a pig fly, there’s all kinds of possibilities for us in agriculture,” Brown told the Farming Smarter conference […] Read more
