Warmer temperatures and dry skies across growing areas of the U.S. have allowed farmers to make huge gains in seeding activities — although the haste to plant may not necessarily produce the best crop. Across the U.S., farmers raced to get crops sown after a slow start to the 2013 season. The changing weather was [...]
Category Archives News & Opinion
CWB optimistic about privatization plans post-monopoly
The new CWB, a government-owned grain company created last Aug. 1, continues to work towards privatization, says its president and CEO Ian White. “We still hope we can find a mechanism to have farmers as shareholders (but) with the amount of capital we think we need maybe others as well,” White said in an interview [...]
AAFC Brandon beef research cuts condemned
The Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Research Centre at Brandon is losing eight full-time employees, 850 head of cattle and $300,000 a year in revenue because the federal government is shutting down its beef research program. Whether the herd is sold or moved, it will be the first time in the centre’s 127-year history without [...]
McMillan: U.S. drought area down, but very dry areas drier — May 23, 2013
Total U.S. farmland under drought edged lower over the week ending May 21, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s Thursday update. During that week, the area ranked as having no drought impact at all moved from 38.3 to 39.1 per cent, as a result of heavy rain over the northern Plains and Midwest, according to [...]
Protect that investment
It’s no secret that farmland is getting pretty pricey. The latest data released by Farm Credit Canada shows the average value of farmland in Manitoba increased by 13.9 per cent during the second half of 2012. Nationally, the average value of farmland has increased at the average annual rate of 12 per cent since 2008, [...]
FREE to good home: FARM PROGRESS tickets — May 23, 2013
Editor’s Note: We’ve said it before and now we’ll say it again — “Well,that was quick.” The contest is now closed and the 82 winning entrants have been notified by email. Thanks to all of you who entered for taking part in this year’s contest and for visiting our websites. Haven’t got your tickets yet for Canada’s [...]
A job well done
Linda Malcolmson retires from Cigi after 30 years
Colleagues are lining up to bid farewell to food scientist Linda Malcolmson who retires at the end of May with the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) — and it’s a long line. In a career spanning 30 years, including 15 as Cigi’s manager of special crops, oilseeds and pulses, Malcolmson has worked with a plethora [...]
Flash flood swamps farmyard
AGilbert Plains family is blaming illegal drainage for the flash flood that had swept through their farmyard April 28 — causing $500,000 in losses. “It was truly like something you would watch on TV,” said Karen Von Bargen, who ranches with her husband Craig. Amazed by the force of the sudden deluge, they clung to fences [...]
Mechanically tenderized meats will have to be labelled
As of July 2, federally inspected meat plants in Canada will be required to label beef steaks or roasts that have been mechanically tenderized, the federal government announced May 17. The move is part of new mandatory federal requirements designed to strengthen control over E. coli. Contaminated needles used to mechanically tenderize meat were identified [...]
4-H legacy fundraiser sets $100,000 goal
4-H Canada is urging supporters of the program to consider a donation to help secure the program for its next century
4-H Canada is asking supporters of the Canadian youth program to help raise $100,000 in recognition of the 100th year of 4-H in Canada being celebrated in 2013. The program’s national legacy fundraising campaign encourages $100 donations toward improving and expanding 4-H programs across Canada for future generations. “We’re creating a legacy fund to embrace [...]