Pundits, producers and political watchers continue to debate the ruling of Federal Court of Canada judge Campbell Campbell, who concluded that federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz disregarded the rule of law when he failed to hold a farmer vote before introducing a bill that would dismantle the single desk marketing system of the Canadian Wheat […] Read more
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Ritz faces rough day in court; how it unfolded
Ag opportunities abound in India
The agribusiness sector is potentially one of the big winners as Canada tries to negotiate a free trade deal with India by 2013, says the chief negotiator. Don Stephenson, a senior foreign affairs department official, told the House of Commons international trade committee recently that India wants Canadian agricultural products but also technology and know-how. […] Read more
Alta. to get biodiesel plants
A Detroit-based company and a group of Canadian investors plan to build two biodiesel plants in northern Alberta at a cost of about $300 million each. The Power Alternative of Detroit, along with Canadian investors, have targeted High Prairie and Smoky Lake in which to build two 66 million litre per year plants. Both are […] Read more
Canfax Report – for Dec. 15, 2011
FED PRICES LOWER Fed cattle cash prices dropped sharply from the previous week’s near-record levels. Cattle futures markets were spooked by developments in the European debt crisis. A good market-ready supply in the United States relative to demand weighed on cash prices, as did weaker beef prices. A slightly stronger loonie early in the week […] Read more
2,4-D study finds problems with absorbing too much protein
The herbicide 2,4-D has had a sound crop safety record since its introduction in 1945, gaining health and safety regulatory approval in more than 100 countries. However, a recent study threatens to tarnish that reputation if accepted by the wider agricultural science community. Angus Murphy, a horticulture department professor from Perdue University, discovered during a […] Read more
Open-outcry traders ready to fight electronic closing prices
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — Longtime grain and livestock traders blasted the CME Group Dec. 12 when the exchange said it would allow electronic trading activity to be used to set official closing prices. It is a move that many fear will drive another nail in the coffin of open-outcry dealing. The CME said that starting […] Read more
Western Producer Livestock Report – for Dec. 15, 2011
HOG PRICES DIP Hog prices finished the week lower, but market direction was not clear. Iowa-southern Minnesota live hogs closed at about $63 US per hundredweight Dec. 9, down from $64 Dec. 2. U.S. pork carcass cut-out value closed at $90.24 Dec. 9, up from $88.61 Dec. 2. The U.S. federal weekly slaughter estimate was […] Read more
Website serves water data for public consumption
Western Canadian water data may soon become available to all with the Dec. 3 launch of the Water and Environmental Hub. The open website platform is designed as a source of water-related data from Western Canada so it can be easily accessed by researchers, corporations, non-government organizations and individuals. Alex Joseph, executive director of the […] Read more
Cargill sees layoffs
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — Cargill is laying off 2,000 employees globally, citing a continued weak global economy. Cargill, one of the world’s largest privately held corporations, said the cuts affect 1.5 percent of its workforce of 138,000 global workers and will happen over the next six months. Cuts will be made on recommendations from various […] Read more
Radiant face brightens day
Most clergy are running on raw nerves by Christmas Eve. The bustle of advent activities, community commitments and tending the sick and bereaved all take their toll. People expect the church service to set the mood for all that’s special about their Christmas celebration. I was more tired than usual one Christmas Eve and still […] Read more
