“Fifteen years ago people didn’t think Greenpeace was a significant player in policy development – they are, they clearly are.” – Randy Giroux Genetically modified (GM) wheat hasn’t been commercialized but wheat contaminated by other GM crops is out there if someone looks hard enough for it, says Ian White, president and CEO of the
Wheat Likely Contaminated By GM
Grain Industry Worried By New Toxin Limits
Canada’s grain industry wants safer food, but it doubts pending regulations to restrict exposure to ochratoxin A (OTA), a suspected carcinogen in grains and other foods, will be effective. In the meantime, those regulations threaten to add costs throughout the pipeline from farmer to food processor. “There really needs to be a supply chain solution,”
Run Your Diesel Engine On Ethanol, Water And Diesel
Suggest burning a mix of ethanol and water in a diesel engine and most farmers would give you a strange look and advice on places to go. But tell them it’s supposed to boost fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and extend engine life and you’ll have their attention. Ron Preston, president and Kevin Kenney, biofuel systems
Voluntary Better Than Legislated
Thousand Seed Weight (grams) Estimated Canola Plant Populations Under Various Seeding Conditions To maximize yield, ideal plant populations range from seven to 14 plants/ft2. At any set seeding rate (lb./ac.), the typical average for emergence is around 50 per cent depending on field conditions. The plant population will also be affected by seed size, measured
Canola-Seeding Tips
“The weeds that emerge earlier in the crop are generally the ones that cause the greatest amount of yield loss.” – JOHN MAYKO Before hitting the field here are 10 agronomic tips on seeding canola from John Mayko, a senior agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of Canada. 1) Make sure your equipment is ready.
U OfA’s GM Flax Raises Eyebrows
“Now EU buyers of confectionery, or food flax, require their contracts to state: Canadian flax 100 per cent excluded. As a promoter and marketer of Canadian grain that really hurts.” – TERRY JAMES Canada’s flax industry is nervously eyeing ongoing research at the University of Alberta aimed at developing a genetically modified flax with a
Can It Be Too Early?
After a couple of late springs, western Canadian farmers are poised to start seeding early thanks to above-normal temperatures that star ted in March. Earlier-seeded crops usually yield better and with farmers planting more acres, many are anxious to get rolling. But before Manitoba farmers hit the fields, they need to think about the potential
Check Pulse Seed For Germination And Vigour
Pulse growers should check the germination and vigour of their seed before planting it this spring following tough harvest conditions last fall, advises Ed Thiessen, technical crop manager with Syngenta Canada. That includes seed from crops treated with the desiccant Reglone. “In many cases they (farmers) were forced to put on Reglone at too early
BASF’s GM Traits Coming To Farmer Via Monsanto
“In the next 10 years you’re going to see water use efficiency, nitrogen use efficiency, more efficient plants that can just grow better, period.” – JONATHAN BRYANT BASF has invested $1.5 billion developing genetically modified (GM) crops and so far hasn’t earned a cent. But it expects that will soon change, a senior company official
Which Is Better, Solid-Seeded Soybeans Or Row Crop?
“I think farmers can do a real good job with what they’ve got – a 30-inch corn planter or their air seeder. They just need to look and decide how they can tweak it.” – BRUCE BROLLEY, MAFRI Planting soybeans in 15-inch rows instead of solid seeding will cut farmers’ seed costs and boost yields,