$2 billion in savings Canadian Federation of Agriculture says cuts will render the farm income stabilization program useless
TORONTO — Canadian Federation of Agriculture leaders are accusing the federal government of planning to “gut” the AgriStability program in talks being held behind farmers’ backs. During a July 26 session between CFA board members from across the country and assistant deputy agriculture minister Greg Meredith, the senior federal bureaucrat confirmed that cuts are coming. […] Read moreTag Archives Ag Finance
CFA has showdown with Ottawa over AgriStability cuts
Canola prices ride drought to new heights
Canola growers owe a debt of gratitude to the U.S. drought for the great prices they’re getting. Without ongoing problems in the U.S. soybean crop, canola prices would probably be flat or falling. “Frankly, canola is just another oilseed consuming choice,” said analyst Greg Kostal about canola’s participation in the recent rally that has taken […] Read more
Turner not keen on cows
QUEBEC CITY, PQ — Ted Turner is no fan of cows. The owner of 56,000 bison, about one-tenth of the world’s bison population, says he wouldn’t mind if all cattle in North America went back to Europe, whence most of them came. Though his remarks to those at the International Bison Conference were largely tongue-in-cheek, […] Read more
CN, CP Rail earnings stay on track
Share values remain strong | CPR earnings fall in second quarter but investors stay the course
(Reuters) — Canadian Pacific Railway’s investors have shrugged off weaker quarterly results and bid up its shares, signalling confidence in the colourful new chief executive’s ability to deliver on a promised turnaround. CP’s second-quarter net income fell to $103 million, or 60 cents a share, from $128 million, or 75 cents, a year earlier. By […] Read moreInsect vector transmits disease to crops
Harvest is still several weeks away but a widespread infection of aster yellows could cut canola yields in parts of Manitoba by five to 10 percent. Now that canola crops have moved past the bloom stage, it’s become apparent to canola growers, plant pathologists and crop advisers that the level of aster yellows is much […] Read more
Reduce fibre to increase hog profits, says expert
Reducing fibre in hog finishing diets, managing feed withdrawal times and avoiding overcrowding are three ways hog producers can increase their bottom lines, says a hog researcher. Eduardo Beltranena, pork research scientist with Alberta Agriculture, told a recent meeting of pork producers that packers want heavier carcasses to dilute the cost of processing and labour. […] Read more
Drugs help depression
Q: My uncle was admitted to a mental health centre to help him deal with his depression. Before he was admitted, he was living alone in his house on the farm. He was not properly looking after himself, the house was a mess and he was not getting out to work his fields or tend […] Read more
Improving bulls key to improving herd
Collect data | Pedigrees, genomic information, health records help make purchases
Using genomics to improve livestock is like the art of playing poker. Probabilities and the environment often play major roles in building better livestock, said Genome Canada president David Bailey. Genomics is the entire package of genetic information contained within the DNA and RNA of every living thing. It is made up of four elements […] Read moreHereford’s queen plans career in agricultural law
OLDS, Alta. — Amanda Bacon’s friends check out her Facebook page to find out which Hereford shows she has attended. As national Hereford Queen in the United States, the 18-year-old has a gruelling schedule of cattle shows and agricultural events that crisscross the country. Her itinerary included a visit to the World Hereford Conference, held […] Read more
Desiccant dilemma: to use or not to use
Heat from BASF is now registered as a harvest aid/desiccant on lentils, field peas, dry beans and soybeans, but producers are advised not to use it. It’s a classic damned if you do and damned if you don’t situation. BASF says it is in the final stages of establishing maximum residue limits on Heat with […] Read more
