Future political decisions could change it, but for now, the federal government is projecting a 45 percent cut in Agriculture Canada spending over the next three years. A “plans and priorities” report from the department tabled in Parliament last week projects that by the 2012-13 fiscal year, departmental spending will fall to $1.947 billion from […] Read more
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Ag budget sliced in half
B.C. fruit growers seek help
KELOWNA, B.C. – Okanagan fruit growers have planted a big crop of patience this spring. They hope to harvest $10 million. They’re waiting to find out if their industry, which contributes $130 million and thousands of jobs to the Okanagan economy, has a future after two disastrous years where they didn’t harvest the cost of […] Read more
Low soil moisture pressures feed supply
Provincial officials are encouraging Alberta’s beef producers to carefully assess their soil moisture situation this year and take steps early to ensure adequate grass supplies. Ralph Wright, Alberta Agriculture’s soil moisture specialist, said soil moisture levels are extremely low in many parts of Alberta. Without significant rainfall this spring, many areas will face drought conditions […] Read more
Rally held to ignite support for BSE lawsuit
RED DEER – Lee Davis raised his cap to reveal a head of grey hair as a symbol of the Canadian cattle rancher. Too old, too tired and too broke summed up his feelings at a BSE rally held in Red Deer March 31. “Who cares anymore? You look around the room and the meetings […] Read more
Cover-All under credit protection
A company whose pre-fabricated buildings are a familiar sight on farms across Western Canada has been granted creditor protection. Cover-All Building Systems received approval for protection at a hearing in Court of Queen’s Bench in Calgary March 24. Since 1993, the Saskatoon-based company has designed, manufactured and sold pre-engineered buildings consisting of a polyethylene fabric […] Read more
Pasture management 101
Budget feed reserves Sort cattle. Cull aggressively and make changes to feeding operations to avoid unnecessary waste. Establish a grazing plan Assess grazing resources and calculate needs. When calculating the carrying capacity of pastures, err on the side of caution to avoid long-term damage. Look for other feed sources Hay prices have been rising, but […] Read more
Rural Canada losing presence in Parliament
The Conservative government is proposing that by 2014, House of Commons rural representation will be proportionately diminished in line with the decline in rural populations in Canada. Last week, democratic reform minister of state Steven Fletcher introduced legislation to expand the Commons to 338 MPs from 308 members, awarding the additional 30 seats to fast-growing […] Read more
Optimism returning, says new cattle president
The new president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association says producers understand the important role government plays to support the industry but are still suspicious of too much government. “I think since 2003 (BSE), there is a clear recognition that the government plays an important role,” northern Alberta rancher Travis Toews said March 29. “But producers […] Read more
Grocer touts meatless meals
A disgruntled shopper wants to use social networking media to complain to a national grocery chain about its promotion of meatless meals. Laura Bodell of Sherwood Park, Alta., was prompted to take action after reading a short article in Sobeys’ Inspired magazine that promoted meatless meals as a way to save the environment. She wants […] Read more
First glyphosate-resistant weed found
Canada has its first case of a glyphosate resistant weed. Weed scientists at Ontario’s University of Guelph confirmed that giant ragweed from a field in southwestern Ontario is resistant to the popular herbicide. University of Guelph researchers and Monsanto Canada first learned of the weed population in 2008. Since then, it has undergone greenhouse and […] Read more
