Under construction | Trucks unloading every two minutes
JANSEN, Sask. — The main grid road between the communities of Jansen and LeRoy has taken a pounding. Thirty thousand loads of gravel are being transported about 30 kilometres from the Watrous area to the site where BHP Billiton intends to build the largest potash mine in the world. To meet its deadlines, the company […] Read moreTag Archives Ag Finance
Country roads take a pounding
Wheat initial payments rise
Initial payments for all grades and classes of 2011-12 wheat except durum increased April 12, the CWB said. The increases range from $4.10 to $41.25 per tonne, depending on grade and class. Here are several examples of the increases. No. 1 CW red spring wheat 13.5 percent protein rose $16.35 to $256.10 per tonne at […] Read more
Mother finds seniors’ home stressful
Q: Shortly after my dad died, we moved my mom from her big house on the farm to a seniors’ lodge so that she could mix and mingle and have some company with other people her own age. It is a great place. She has her own mini-apartment, can come and go as she pleases […] Read more
Halting debate on GM alfalfa threat to democracy: MP
MP says Conservatives are being blackmailed by biotech industry
Conservative MPs on the House of Commons agriculture committee recently closed down public debate on whether GM alfalfa should be approved for sale in Canada or subject to a moratorium. During a committee hearing on value chain implications for the next generation of farm programs, British Columbia New Democrat Alex Atamanenko tried to use his […] Read moreWater collection may improve supply
BANFF, Alta. — Irrigation may have to increase as pressure mounts to feed nine billion people within 50 years. Agriculture is often criticized for its heavy use of water for irrigation, but strategic decisions must be made as more food is needed. “We are going to grow food in areas that are highly variable for […] Read more
Leaf research predicts shape of things to come
Molecular signals | Understanding how plants grow will help improve production and preserve diversity
LINDELL BEACH, B.C. — Leaves come in all shapes and sizes. But why is that, and how do they form? How do they turn from a tiny bud of a few cells to the individual complex shapes of each plant species? Scientists at the John Innes Centre (JIC) in Norwich, U.K., have discovered simple rules […] Read moreNature, industry pose hazard to clean water supply
BANFF, Alta. — The Canadian water supply contains thousands of impurities. Some are naturally occurring while others are the result of runoff that carries lubricants, pesticides, antibiotics and industrial chemicals, said scientists attending the recent Alberta Institute of Agrologists water conference at Banff. The national drinking water guidelines are not met in some parts of […] Read more
Pollution study blames fertilizer
Researchers say they have found the smoking gun that proves farmers are responsible for a steep increase in one of the nastiest greenhouse gases. A study published in the April issue of the journal Nature Geoscience describes how nitrogen isotope data has identified the unmistakable fingerprint of increased nitrogen fertilizer use behind heightened nitrous oxide […] Read more
Faster work on standardized border regulations pleases Canadian farmers
Farm groups say pesticide harmonization between Canada and the United States is finally getting fast-tracked. In December, Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper and U.S. president Barack Obama agreed to implement two action plans designed to speed up trade and travel and improve border security between the two countries. The plan on regulatory co-operation includes an […] Read more
Analyze the problem before trying to solve it
When something goes wrong during the pressure cooker times of seeding, harvesting and spraying, you often find that you can’t see the forest for the trees. When it comes to heavy equipment, that is the time to pause rather than think that you must react immediately. You will have a better chance of quickly solving […] Read more
