Farmers first began digging coal in the early years of the 19th century, and the Diplomat Mine was eventually developed
In central Alberta, near the banks of the Battle River, sit the remains of the Diplomat coal mine. The site was originally the homestead of Austing Bish and his four sons, who arrived in the Forestburg area from Oregon in 1905. The family farmed their homesteads and began to exploit the coal deposits in the […] Read moreNews
Cattle temperament genes linked to autism
Advocacy groups have criticized the study, but researchers hope findings will shed new light on genetic aspects of autism
Australian researchers have discovered a strong association between the genes influencing cattle temperament and autism in humans. Dr. Roy Costilla, postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Queensland’s Centre for Animal Science, said researchers tested the association of cattle temperament with temperament-like traits in humans, including four behavioural and psychiatric disorders: neuroticism, schizophrenia, developmental delay […] Read more
Agriculture urged to develop environmental benchmarks
Report argues that performance measurements would demonstrate how Canada’s agri-food industry is sustainable
Experts are calling for environmental targets to better position Canada in markets at home and abroad. Agri-Food Sustainability Targets is a report authored by David McInnes of DMci Strategies, who is working with Agriculture Canada, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and others to advance efforts in creating environmental benchmarks for the industry. “What’s happening globally […] Read more
Indo-Pacific allies urged for Canada
Canada should think more about the “Indo-Pacific strategy” when trying to figure out how to deal with China, say two China watchers. It might be the most effective way for a middle power like Canada to counter China’s overwhelming power advantage. “Put in preventive measures, especially where we find ourselves in geopolitical conflicts,” Ai-Men Lau […] Read more
Specialized trade policies advised for Canada
A report says country needs one approach for United States and China and another for more rules-based trading nations
Canada needs at least a three-pronged foreign and trade policy for a radically changed world, says Agri-Food Economic Systems. The country needs separate, customized approaches to China and the United States, while forming and strengthening new operating systems to work with like-minded nations. “To navigate this precarious situation, Canada must be prepared to enlist a […] Read more
Alberta fish farm reels in booming business
A 30 percent increase in purchases of recreational fishing licences helps spark an extra demand for farm to stock fish
If you caught a rainbow or brown trout this year in Alberta, there’s a fair chance you have the Menard family to thank for it. They’ve turned the unlikely prospect of aquaculture on the Prairies into a business that employs up to seven people, says Max Menard of Smoky Trout Farm Ltd. near Red Deer. […] Read more
Bayer still paying price for Monsanto purchase
Company takes $10 billion write-down and warns that settlement bill for Roundup court cases will end up being higher
FRANKFURT, Germany (Reuters) — Bayer is facing a double hit from a higher legal bill for claims relating to Roundup and US$10.82 billion in impairments on agriculture businesses, much of it related to its Monsanto deal. The company said the write-downs, driven by weaker demand from farmers because of low biofuel prices, plus an increase […] Read more
Ethanol growth expected
NEW YORK, N.Y. (Reuters) — The United States and Brazil, the two leading ethanol producers, see potential for a large increase in global use of the biofuel as a way to cut carbon emissions while the world transitions to all-electric cars, according to industry representatives. “There is a lot of hope (to cut emissions) related […] Read more
Hopes pinned on technology
Experts speaking at the virtual Toronto Global Forum say a meaningful economic recovery to the COVID-19 pandemic should emphasize the need for technology in the agricultural sector. Alison Sunstrum, founder of CNSRV-X, said she hopes there is a digital response to the pandemic. “COVID-19 has put us on a digital fast track, farmers are going […] Read more
Global reach allowed company to learn COVID lessons early
Being a global company meant that Roquette had to deal with COVID-19 almost as soon as it appeared. With three production plants in China, the pandemic was a reality the company had to quickly adapt to. That turned out to be a good thing. “Our China team was hit very early,” said Dominique Baumann, France-based […] Read more
