A host of economic and financial problems threaten the commodity market rally that has driven crop and meat prices to record highs in the past year. However, many analysts doubt that those problems will come together to snuff out world economic growth and recovery. And agricultural commodities have the best chance to ride out any […] Read more
News
Troubled economy threat to grain prices
Bayer hires head for North American crop protection
Bayer CropScience has named Jim Blome president, chief executive officer and head of crop protection for the North American region. He succeeds Bill Buckner, who will retire at the end of the year. Blome joins Bayer CropScience from Valent U.S.A. Corp., where he was executive vice-president and chief operating officer. With more than 25 years […] Read more
B.C. town promotes local food
CRESTON, B.C. – Food is the common ground for a diverse population of retirees, low income earners and former urban residents who live in this town in southeastern British Columbia. The Creston Valley Food Action Coalition tries to connect them. The non-profit group was formed in 2007 to promote the production of locally grown food. […] Read more
Canfax Report – for Jun. 23, 2011
CANADA TRAILS U.S. RISE The falling Canadian dollar and a sharp rise in Chicago cattle futures lent strong support to fed cattle prices. American packers were caught short and had to bid higher. There was strong beef movement and good beef exports. The news was slow to circulate in Canada and had little impact on […] Read more
Ducks Unlimited works on relationship with farmers
Ducks Unlimited Canada’s efforts to restore wetlands and attract more ducks to the Prairies have been going swimmingly, says a DUC official. Mother Nature was a big help last year, delivering record or near-record rainfall over much of the West. Potholes are full, duck numbers are plentiful and wetland areas that were once under cultivation […] Read more
Adopt a tree program grows in popularity
CRESTON, B.C. – A cherry orchard acts as an adoption service in a lush valley in the mountains of southeastern British Columbia. The adopted trees belong to an exclusive and widespread family. Up to 300 in number, they are monitored by people from all over Western Canada via website and in person. When the time […] Read more
Western Producer Livestock Report – for Jun. 23, 2011
CASH HOGS RISE Tightening supply drove U.S. cash hog prices up. Warm weather in the Midwest is slowing weight gain. Hog weights in Iowa-southern Minnesota were down two pounds from the previous week. Iowa-southern Minnesota cash hogs delivered to plants rose to $70 US per cwt. June 17 from $68-$68.50 June 10. The U.S. pork […] Read more
Carbon footprint tied to production not transport: Pulse Canada
European consumers should not assume Canadian crops have a bigger environmental footprint than locally produced product because of how far they have to travel, says Pulse Canada. It argues that production is a far bigger factor than transportation when it comes to measuring food’s carbon footprint, and says Canadian crops offer distinct advantages in the […] Read more
Bison producers can’t keep up with demand
BIG SKY, Mont. – American bison producers are enjoying high prices for slaughter animals, but similar to the Canadian situation, demand is outstripping supply. Producers attending the National Bison Association convention in Montana June 16-18 were repeatedly encouraged to expand herds and attract new ranchers. Prices are approaching $4 per pound on the rail, said […] Read more
Crop insurance bargaining resumes in Sask.
Bargaining between Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. and 470 members of the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees Union resumed late June 22 after tough talk from the premier earlier in the day. The talks wrapped up around midnight and were set to resume today. The workers walked off the job June 21 after being in a […] Read more
