About 90 percent of eggs eaten in North America come from hens living in battery cages. However, confining hens in cages stacked in tiers in climate controlled barns may be on the way out as society questions the quality of life in these systems. “All egg producers really should be considering the future of battery […] Read more
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Poultry cages draw spotlight
Dirty Tricks gang leader counsels at-risk youth
Q: I would like information about Canada’s Dirty Tricks Gang. A: The gang was a group of robbers who operated mainly in the Toronto area in the 1970s and early 1980s. Led by Richard Atkinson, the gang conducted hundreds of armed robberies at mainly banks and credit unions. At one time, Ontario’s attorney-general called them […] Read more
Both sides of wheat board debate must be heard
The federal Conservatives have made no secret of their desire to end the Canadian Wheat Board’s monopoly. With a long sought after majority attained in the last federal election, many now wonder if they will move to make that happen. There is little doubt that the Conservatives are the party of choice for western Canadian […] Read more
Mexico refuses to give ground on weed rules
A Canadian canaryseed exporter says there is no end in sight to a lingering trade dispute with Mexico. As a result, the risks are mounting for those shipping product there. David Nobbs, general manager of Canpulse Foods, said phytosanitary certificate requirements introduced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in March will slow the flow of […] Read more
Conservatives rise under determined Harper as Liberals slide away
There are small signposts that illustrate the incredible political rise of Stephen Harper, an amazing political success story in an age that values warm personality and charisma over plodding determination. The Liberal Party of Canada has had a dozen leaders in its long and successful history dating back to Confederation. During the past five years […] Read more
MRAC celebrates with new video
The Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council is highlighting some of its agricultural projects in a video to mark the organization’s 15th anniversary. The 12 minute video features seven of the 650 agricultural projects that the council has supported: Canadian International Grains Institute, biodiesel pilot project; Eastman Biofuels, feasibility study and business plan; Wedge Farms, dehulled oats […] Read more
Please, Ottawa, let’s see a little more harmony
I knew I was going to regret that election prediction column. No matter how certain something appears from a month-away vantage point, your fellow human creatures will always come up with a way to surprise you. In the case of the 2011 election, the fellow humans who served up the biggest surprise were the people […] Read more
Prairieland Park selects new board
The Saskatoon Prairieland Park Corp. has elected a board of directors for 2011-12: Adele Buettner, president; Jack Brodsky, vice president; Don Hrapchak, newly elected board member; Stuart McDowell, newly elected board member; Daymond Volk, re-elected board member; Dwight Buchholz; Neil Buechler; Vic Dubois; Trevor Forrest; Stu Irvine; Brian Rossnagel; Larry Sommerfeld; Joanne Wasko and Mairin […] Read more
Flooding threat worsens in Sask.
Southeastern Saskatchewan was preparing for a deluge earlier this week as weather forecasters predicted as much as 50 millimetres of rain on top of an already saturated landscape. Few welcomed the news of any amount of rain after a late April snowstorm dumped wet snow on the region and residents prepared to clean up from […] Read more
Cellulosic ethanol pioneer honored
The Society of Industrial Microbiology has awarded Pat Foody Sr., founder of logen Energy, its 2011 Raphael Katzen Award. Foody is being honoured for a lifetime achievement in the commercialization of biofuel. The award recognizes him not only for his contributions to the establishment and development of Iogen but also for pioneering the development of […] Read more
