Genome Alberta is inviting Canadian scientists to submit research proposals related to livestock genetics. The Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency has provided $4.8 million to support research with direct benefits to the beef, dairy and pork sectors, said Genome Alberta chief executive officer David Bailey. “This is new money for new projects. It is not […] Read more
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Alta. livestock industry requests genetic research projects
CFIA receives D grade for access to information
The federal information commissioner has added to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s public relations woes by criticizing it for a dismal record on responding to access-to-information requests. However, Suzanne Legault also commended the agency for efforts to do better. Last week, the interim information commissioner presented a report to Parliament that said CFIA was one […] Read more
Show ring learning experience for 4-H members
Mirjam Kielstra whispered to her Holstein calf, Emilie, before they entered the show ring for the junior showmanship class. “You’re going to be fine,” said the nine-year-old. Kielstra was one of nine members of the Sask Valley Dairy 4-H Club competing in junior and intermediate classes at the 27th annual Western Canadian Livestock Expo in […] Read more
Crop consultants develop high-tech testing laboratory
Wade Barnes and Curtis MacKinnon have come a long way since they sold fertilizer in Pilot Mound, Man., a few years ago. At the time, they would have laughed at the idea that they would some day own a high-tech lab and pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for robots. However, that’s exactly what the […] Read more
Pulse research gets cash
LLOYDMINSTER, Sask. – Prairie pulse production has received an $8.3 million push from the federal government. “It’s very exciting news,” pulse grower Gordon Tuck from Vegreville, Alta., said during a funding announcement earlier this month. He said pulses are a healthful food and a good alternative for farmers. As a result, any effort to encourage […] Read more
Viterra sells grain subsidiary
Seven months after buying all of the assets of ABB Grain of Australia, Viterra has sold one of them. The company last week said it was selling its 50 percent interest in Australian Bulk Alliance to Summit Grain Investment Pty Ltd. Summit is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Corp. of Japan, which holds the […] Read more
Drop in European exports takes toll on Seed Hawk
Saskatchewan agricultural manufacturer Seed Hawk has laid off 35 workers and reassigned others as it faces fewer orders from Eastern Europe. The layoffs take effect May 6 and come with recall notices for Aug. 3. They were issued just a few months after the company from Langbank, Sask., announced a $7.5 million expansion to increase […] Read more
Pulse crops big winner in trade mission deals
Pulse Canada’s chief executive officer says he has never seen anything like it in the decade that he has been promoting exports of Canadian pulse crops. After making deals in China last week that could increase pulse sales from $100 million to $500 million, Gordon Bacon told an April 14 telephone news conference from Beijing […] Read more
SaskPower details spending plans
SaskPower spent a record $640 million on capital projects last year and plans to spend $8 billion over the next decade to improve its aging infrastructure. Capital investment in 2010 will be $832 million. The Farmyard Power Line Relocation Program and Rural Electrical Distribution Program were among the projects introduced last year that will continue. […] Read more
U.S. study sees GM as more pro than con
Agricultural economists aren’t surprised that a U.S. scientific study has found genetically modified crops are good for both farmers’ bottom lines and the environment. “To me, you really have to look hard to find the bad news (about GM crops),” said Al Mussel of the University of Guelph’s George Morris Centre in Guelph, Ont. “We […] Read more
