Iwas looking forward to my late-summer vacation with the same mix of anticipation and dread as my farmer friends look forward to harvest. There was a long list of outdoor jobs waiting for a few open days – provided the weather co-operated. Then, there was a plan to escape for a few days of camping
‘Tis The Season — To Be Careful
Farmers As… Health-Care Professionals?
It’s become common for farmers to refer to themselves as food producers, environmental managers or businesspeople. Now a discussion paper recently commissioned by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI) aims to radically expand their job description. How about adding “health-care professional” to your resumé? Concluding that farmers’ fortunes and public health are intrinsically linked, the
Editors’ Picks: Self-grooming cows yield more milk
A group of dairy cows in New York, able to make their own spa dates with a self-grooming device, has been found to yield more milk and develop fewer cases of mastitis. Researchers at Cornell University’s Quality Milk Production Services department at Ithaca, N.Y. and the Sprucehaven Farm and Research Center at Union Springs, north
As The World Spins
There’s an urban myth that makes the rounds every so often about the genealogist researching her own family tree. She discovers that she shares a common ancestor with a prominent politician and so, does a little more digging. It turns out the ancestor was a notorious criminal, a horse thief who escaped from prison to
Catching Frogs No Folly
“But you can’t step on them OK?” 11-YEAR-OLD GEORGE HENLEY Maybe there was something in the water. Or maybe it was because the frogs returned to the swamp after their unexpected trip to town last year spread the word. Whatever the reason, the lagoon squad capturing frogs for this community’s 40th annual Frog Follies was
Organic Systems Explore Sustainable Options
“Sixty-five pounds of nitrogen per acre is very possible in Manitoba.” – MARTIN ENTZ Researchers tending the fields at the University of Manitoba’s research farm here have another duty to add to their daily roster – moving sheep. A small flock of ewes and lambs has taken up residence on site as part of the
Corporate Co-Operation
Hardly a week has passed this summer without an announcement of another collaborative effort between the major players in plant breeding. Monsanto’s collaboration with Dow AgroSciences to bring SmartStax, the agriculture industry’s first eight-gene stack, to the market is only the latest of a string of similar announcements in recent years. Monsanto has also just
Canola Investment Soars
The canola race is heating up. Monsanto Canada broke ground on a $10-million research facility at the University of Manitoba Monday becoming the third company to announce a major expansion in canola research and development on the Canadian Prairies in as many weeks. Ryan Baldwin, Monsanto’s lead researcher for seed and traits, said canola has
Improving Wheat’s Profitability
Monsanto was back in the news last week with its announcement that it is re-entering the wheat-breeding business with the purchase of a Montana-based company that specializes in germplasm. The objective is to develop genetically modified wheats that have better drought tolerance, improved nitrogen efficiency and ultimately higher yields. Monsanto’s competitors, Syngenta AG, BASF and
A New Home For KVD
For Sale: One inexpensive but effective method of segregating different types of wheat according to quality and end-use characteristics. Well used, but in good condition. Reliable, low tech and user friendly – a proven performer. Reason for selling: Don’t like it. It gets in the way of lower wheat prices. Contact: Gerry Ritz, minister of