Saskatchewan’s diesel-burning vehicles, including farm machinery and heavy equipment, will soon be running on a kinder, gentler fuel. Saskatchewan’s renewable diesel mandate kicked in July 1, meaning all diesel fuel sold in the province must contain an average two percent renewable content. Renewable diesel is a diesel fuel substitute made from renewable materials such as […] Read more
Tag Archives Ag Finance
Sask. joins western provinces in renewable diesel mandate
Sharing genetics essential
The exchange of international germplasm has been crucial for Canada’s barley breeding program, says the head of research at Alberta Agriculture’s Field Crop Development Centre at Lacombe. About half of all breeding progress in barley in Western Canada comes from shared genetic material from international sources, said Jim Helm, a barley breeder for 44 years […] Read more
Violence in Syria threatens research
The recent violence in Syria has raised the alarm for plant breeders worried about the safety of scientists and their work. Barley breeder Jim Helm has worked with many of those affected, and he has been trying to make contact since the beginning of July. However, sending and receiving messages has been difficult. At the […] Read more
Hog sector wants cost sharing on tracking
The federal government is proposing a tougher system of mandatory swine traceability tracking that could cost the industry more than $3 million a year. Proposed regulations published July 16 would require identification tags from birth or import to slaughter or export. There is no suggested date yet for implementation. Public and industry comments can be […] Read more
Grain firms lacklustre in transition to open market
MONTREAL — The transition to an open market hasn’t unfolded the way grain industry analysts expected. Marlene Boersch, managing partner of Mercantile Consulting Venture Inc., thought there would be a “quick and aggressive” move by grain elevator companies into the wheat market and immediate pressure on pulse and special crop acreage. Wheat is easily hedged, […] Read more
Restricted farm losses: what type of farmer are you?
Farmers have changed in the last several decades. Gone are the days when most of them used their farms as their only source of income. Many smaller operations are now forced to supplement farming with additional income sources. If you are involved in farming and have additional income generating activities, you need to be cautious […] Read more
New animal bioscience program a response to student demand
A new program at the University of Saskatchewan’s agriculture college will broaden its students’ career opportunities and possibly increase enrolment, says the head of the college’s animal and poultry science department. In addition to its bachelor of animal science degree, the college will offer a degree in animal bioscience for undergraduate students beginning in the […] Read more
Dewormers need management help
Parasite control | Parasitologist says good pasture and animal management are also needed
An Alberta feedlot trial suggests common dewormers do not work as well as expected in some cases, but it doesn’t prove Western Canada has a problem with resistant parasites. During the trial, researchers collected 1,100 fecal samples from cattle pens at three different times and recorded parasite egg numbers. At the end of the trial, […] Read moreLow funding backlogs pesticide regulator
MONTREAL — The organization that sets maximum residue limits for pesticides in many countries is grossly underfunded and swamped with applications, says Pulse Canada. That should concern farmers in exporting countries because billions of dollars in global crop trade are placed in jeopardy when maximum residue limits don’t exist for the pesticides that are used […] Read more
Pulse Canada explores market opportunities
Analyzing the competition | By examining the potential of Black Sea exports, Pulse Canada prepares for competition
MONTREAL — Pulse Canada is sizing up the competition. The commodity association has hired Mercantile Consulting Venture Inc. to assess what level of competition to expect from Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan in some of Canada’s major pulse markets. The Black Sea region has become a top exporter of wheat and barley in the post-Soviet Union […] Read more
