What could be the longer term implications of the debt crisis and slow-to-no growth problems of the United States and Europe? The U.S. and most of Europe are suffering from the same problems. Economies are stagnant but after years of budgetary deficits governments have little capacity to engage in more stimulus spending. Indeed, the pressure […] Read more
News
Measuring implications of turmoil
Western Producer Livestock Report – for Aug. 11, 2011
WP LIVESTOCK REPORT HEAT LOSSES LIFT HOGS Slow weight gain and smaller carcasses because of the recent heat, along with strong pork exports to China, continued to press U.S. hog and pork prices to new record highs. Iowa-Minnesota live weights for barrows and gilts two weeks ago averaged 260.9 pounds, down 2.8 lb. from the […] Read more
Wild Rose struggles to grow membership
BANFF, Alta. – Alberta’s general farm organization is considering a name change. Wild Rose Agricultural Producers may become the Alberta Federation of Agriculture Producers to end confusion with the political group, Wild Rose Alliance Party. The change may not happen for another 18 months because it requires a legislative change, said president Humphrey Banock. A […] Read more
Federal decision ignores regional needs
Manitoba cattle producers need the facts about the recent re-allocation of federal funds under the federal Slaughter Improvement Program. They have a right to know what was done and said and draw their own conclusions. The Manitoba Cattle Enhancement Council (MCEC) was pleased when the federal government joined the chorus of support for the proposed […] Read more
Saving lake requires watershed management
Hog farming is profitable again. Herd expansion is about to begin, but environmental regulation might limit the opportunities in Manitoba. Years of poor returns and losses forced the Canadian and American hog herds to contract. Canada’s hog herd is now the smallest it has been since the late 1990s, just before the great expansion of […] Read more
Viterra alters global operations
Canada’s largest grain company is reorganizing. Viterra announced this week that it will make a series of organizational changes aimed at strengthening the company’s position in global markets. The company’s new global operating model will be based on three business pillars — grain, agri-products and processing. The reorganization will result in greater efficiency and better […] Read more
Safety devices exist for good reason
Safety is so important, we can all agree on this. But sometimes, when things get a little hectic, we tend to forget. These are all personal experiences I have had where I was close to death or I saw someone else in the same situation. Most of us learn through experience, but when it comes […] Read more
Farmers explore hemp option; seek production, market info – for Aug. 11, 2011
VEGREVILLE, Alta. — When hemp scientist Jan Slaski asked people on a crop tour who was familiar with hemp, he got a few chuckles. The running joke linking industrial hemp with its recreational cousin, marijuana, has caused more than a few problems for the crop’s development. Hemp is one of Canada’s oldest crops, first cultivated […] Read more
Prairie equipment in spotlight at European show
Saskatchewan will have its largest ever presence at Agritechnica, Europe’s largest farm machinery show in Hanover, Germany. Industry and government will invest about $700,000 in a pavilion that will be one of the largest at the show to highlight Saskatchewan’s farm equipment manufacturing sector, known as a leader in seeding technology. The pavilion, which will […] Read more
Bloc MP proud of ag accomplishments
André Bellavance is a political survivor and the politician responsible for the most important plank in current Canadian agricultural trade policy. He is one of just four Bloc Quebecois MPs who survived the May 2 onslaught of the New Democratic Party in Quebec. He squeezed out a 700 vote victory after winning by almost 9,000 […] Read more
