A study of drainage issues was recently completed in Delta, B.C. Researchers from the University of B.C. took part in the study. “The project really came about through the work that the climate action initiative spearheaded,” said Sean Smukler, an assistant professor at UBC. According to Smukler, regional assessments of potential climate change impact were […] Read more
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B.C. study finds ineffective farm drainage in Lower Mainland
China diverts water north in massive irrigation plan
BEIJING, China (Reuters) — China has transferred 10 billion cubic metres of fresh water from the country’s south to its drought-prone north in the few years since a massive water diversion project came on-stream, authorities said. In recent decades, water supplies in the north have been challenged by protracted droughts, a surging population, agriculture and […] Read more
Circadian rhythm research applies to livestock health
This year’s Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine was awarded to three researchers who studied the internal biological clock that regulates day and night cycles in sync with the Earth’s rotation. Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael W. Young were jointly awarded the prize for their discovery of molecular mechanisms controlling this circadian rhythm. […] Read more
Maple Leaf Foods growth, profit up
(Reuters) — Maple Leaf Foods’ quarterly profit beat analysts’ estimates, helped by growth across all its businesses. The company, whose brands include Schneiders and Maple Leaf, said adjusted operating earnings rose to $65.15 million in the third quarter ended Sept. 30 from $61.52 million a year earlier. Sales rose 6.6 percent to $908.4 million. Net […] Read more
B.C. fires take toll on producers; fruit sector hurt by heat
The wildfires that burned across British Columbia this year affected producers in varying degrees. “It impacted the fields. I saw photos from throughout the Cariboo that lost everything. The trees are still standing but all the grass is still gone but they lost a lot of the crop for the year,” said Serena Black, general […] Read more
Man. farmers dodge carbon tax bullet
OAK HAMMOCK MARSH, Man. — Farmers discovered they had won the carbon tax exemption they had long fought for when the Manitoba premier announced his province’s homegrown response to the federal requirement. Even though farmers will be hit by higher prices on many things due to the $25 per tonne carbon tax, it will not […] Read more
Cargill to buy feed maker to tap profitable natural foods trend
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) —Cargill is buying a natural animal feed maker, another in a string of deals to capitalize on rising demand for higher-margin natural foods and antibiotic-free meat and dairy products. The company’s recent push, including the deal for Iowa-based Diamond V, has centred on its animal nutrition and protein unit with expansions in […] Read more
Smithfield sells pork online
BEIJING, China (Reuters) — WH Group Ltd., the world’s largest pork company, says its U.S. subsidiary, Smithfield Foods, will for the first time sell its U.S.-produced pork online in China, via online retailer JD.com Inc. The move follows other international food companies that are looking to boost sales in the world’s top pork consumer through […] Read more
Saputo bolsters access to China with Australian purchase
SYDNEY (Reuters) — Canada’s biggest cheesemaker, Saputo Inc., has agreed to buy debt-ridden Murray Goulburn Co-operative for up to $490 million, becoming Australia’s top milk processor and expanding its access to China. The deal rescues Murray Goulburn after a disastrous foray into China. Including Murray Goulburn’s debt, the deal value rises to about $1.3 billion. […] Read more
Chinese firm gears up to meet new ethanol demand
biofuel BEIJING, China (Reuters) — Following on the heels of China’s plan to institute a 10 percent ethanol mandate, a state-owned firm has announced construction of a new ethanol plant and plans five more. China’s State Development & Investment Corp. (SDIC) aims to produce four to five million tonnes of ethanol a year in the […] Read more
