The federal government has tabled legislation that could give Alberta and British Columbia six additional MPs each by the October 2015 election. The Fair Representation Act tabled in Parliament Oct. 27 would also give Ontario 15 additional seats and three more to Quebec, raising the total number of MPs to 338 from 308. It fulfills […] Read more
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Conservatives introduce additional seats in Parliament
Supply managed systems pulled into wheat board debate
An all-day parliamentary debate last week on an opposition motion to preserve the Canadian Wheat Board often morphed into a debate about supply management. Niki Ashton, a New Democrat from Churchill, Man., triggered the all-day debate Oct. 25 with a motion that called on the government to drop legislation to end the CWB monopoly because […] Read more
Better cattle, better beef make better bottom line
WAMEGO, Kansas — Keeping on top of everything keeps a Kansas couple’s ranching operation on track. Joe Carpenter and Barb Downey operate the Downey Ranch along the Kansas River in rugged land known as the Flint Hills. It was founded in 1986 by Barb’s father, Joe Downey, a chemical company executive and third generation cattle […] Read more
Sask. ag minister prepares for election night
Bob Bjornerud is sporting a relaxed look for his fifth election campaign. The Melville-Saltcoats Saskatchewan Party MLA has served as agriculture minister through the four-year term of the Brad Wall government elected in 2007. His time in the portfolio, during which he has dealt with drought, flood, low prices and federal and provincial colleagues, was […] Read more
Rain, snow improves U.S. winter wheat outlook
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — Recent rain and snow benefited the emerging hard red winter wheat crop in the U.S. Plains, but more rain is needed to ensure a bountiful harvest. However, the winter wheat crop in Ukraine deteriorated late last month because of dry weather. The amount of crop considered in poor shape is at […] Read more
Retailers shouldn’t cater to ‘fringe’ food attitudes
Canada is positioned to be a key player in a 21st century world looking for safe and nutritious food for a growing population, says Maple Leaf Foods executive Stephen Graham. “Who is the richest country in the world able to produce food and protein?” he asked during a recent animal industry conference in Ottawa. “(With […] Read more
Farm meetings mired down in opposing views about CWB
Manitoba farmer representatives meeting in Portage la Prairie last week found Canadian Wheat Board consensus impossible, while pro-CWB activists found themselves preaching to the converted, and few others. The two gatherings — a Keystone Agricultural Producers policy meeting in Portage Oct. 27 and a pro-CWB monopoly rally in Winnipeg Oct. 28 — highlighted in different […] Read more
Cows that make their beds
COALDALE, Alta. — The 150 dairy cows at Elk Creek Dairy bed down in material that is soft, fluffy and brown. It used to be their manure, but a fan separator system has allowed dairy owner Brian Stoutjesdyk to recycle the manure and drastically reduce his bedding purchases. He used to buy about 18 truckloads […] Read more
Turkey producers reap benefits from improved feed efficiency
Better breeding and more efficient feed have helped turkey producers increase their productivity, despite rising feed costs. Henry Classen, a professor from the University of Saskatchewan’s animal and poultry science department, credits genetic selection and better turkey nutrition for the production improvements. “The sophistication of genetic selection has improved and as a consequence feed efficiency […] Read more
Fertilizing in autumn offers benefits in spring
Farmers frequently ask Ross McKenzie about the effectiveness of fall versus spring nitrogen applications. “Fall fertilization can range from very effective to disastrous, depending on soil moisture conditions, the form of nitrogen fertilizer and how it’s applied,” said the Alberta Agriculture agronomy research scientist. McKenzie said problems can occur even if everything is done correctly. […] Read more
