Winter wheat generally accounts for well under five percent of Western Canada’s wheat production and attracts a modest amount of attention. But that’s changed recently, as the Canadian Wheat Board has come under criticism for its marketing and pricing of winter wheat. First the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association issued a July 14 press release […] Read more
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Wheat board defends record on winter wheat
Good season helps prairie fruit growers
The season was short and sweet for prairie fruit crops this summer. Average to above average yields are reported across the three prairie provinces where hot muggy July days shortened the picking season of some varieties. Grower Arne Strom called it the best year ever for his Sherwood Forest Orchards near Regina, which houses about […] Read more
Flood damage deadline extended
Producers will now have until October to apply for financial assistance under the Cover Crop Protection Program. The original deadline for the $50 million federal program was Aug. 31, but it has been extended to Oct. 31 the 2005 and 2006 crop year claims. The program was created to provide assistance to farmers unable to […] Read more
Agri-Coaches Corner/Crop Report
Due to technical problems, this week’s crop report lacks information for some regions. MANITOBA Central and West Cereals are 85 percent harvested at Neepawa, with average to above average yields. Some ergot is reported. Good quality grain is coming off. Canola is 50 to 65 percent harvested, with yields poorer than most years. Flax is […] Read more
Science muddies nutraceutical waters
How’s this for confusing: Antioxidant nutraceuticals work. But they appear to have no antioxidant effect. The startling conclusions come from a long European study into whether antioxidant compounds that have been proven to work in laboratories have the same effect when eaten as berries or wine, or in the form of pills. “In this case, […] Read more
Leon’s Manufacturing founder dies at 74
An equipment inventor who built a life designing implements for prairie farmers has died. Leon Malinowski died of heart failure at a hospital in China Aug. 23 at age 74, about six weeks after a successful lung transplant. “He got a name as being reliable and innovative,” said John Malinowski, Leon’s nephew. “His passion was […] Read more
Food sector lacks vision: think-tank
Canada’s food processing sector is being stifled by labour shortages, a lack of investment and policies that discourage innovation, says a document from an Ontario think-tank. The document, prepared by the George Morris Centre in Guelph, Ont., said other problems include chronically low incomes for farmers, lagging productivity in the food manufacturing sector and managers […] Read more
Marketing rules limit innovation, says report
Canadian officials should recognize that existing regulations limiting farmer marketing options undermine the ability of the food sector to evolve, says a draft policy prepared by the Guelph-based George Morris Centre. It says the existing Canadian Wheat Board monopoly is part of the problem. It also supports proposals at World Trade Organization talks to sharply […] Read more
Food industry sector profits, but investments stagnate
A leading Ottawa-based industry research and analysis think-tank predicts food manufacturers will make $1.8 billion in profits this year, and increases of 33 percent over the next four years. The Conference Board of Canada says the food manufacturing sector remains stalled because of stagnant domestic market growth and a more valuable Canadian dollar that makes […] Read more
King of wheat losing crown
After spending the better part of a decade as the undisputed king of red spring wheats, AC Barrie is facing a slew of new pretenders to the throne. And that could signal the beginning of a new era of varietal choice for wheat growers. The venerable variety accounted for 18.8 percent of Canada Western red […] Read more
