“Terminator” technology terminated

“Terminator” technology terminated

Our History: October 7, 1999

In the 1990s, Delta and Pine Land, a company working with and later acquired by Monsanto, devised the ultimate protection for preventing farmers from replanting seed from protected varieties. It developed what became known as “Terminator” technology which would render the seed sterile after its first year. The technology was highly controversial, and we reported


James Hargrave (second from right) in September 2016 with provincial Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier, Medicine Hat MLA Bob Wanner and Environment Minister Shannon Phillips. (AlbertaGrazingLease.ca)

Alberta rancher, advocate James Hargrave, 34

A leader in southern Alberta’s cattle ranching community died in a vehicle crash while helping fight wildfires along the Alberta/Saskatchewan border on Tuesday night. Cypress County officials have identified the firefighter as James Hargrave, 34, a volunteer with the fire station at Walsh, Alta., about 50 km east of Medicine Hat. Alberta’s Agriculture Minister Oneil

(CPR.ca)

CP’s third-quarter grain handle down

“Volume momentum” in its third quarter has Canadian Pacific Railway looking forward to a rosier year-end ledger, though its grain traffic for the quarter dragged on that momentum. Calgary-based CP on Tuesday reported net income of $510 million on $1.595 billion in revenues for the third quarter ending Sept. 30, up from $347 million on


(AlbertaCheese.com)

Dairy co-op Gay Lea buys Calgary cheesemaker

Ontario dairy farmer co-operative Gay Lea Foods’ plans for expansion into Western Canada now include Calgary cheesemaker Alberta Cheese Company. Gay Lea announced Monday it has bought the family-owned processor, effective Friday (Oct. 13), for an undisclosed sum. Set up in 1976 by cheesemaker Frank Talarico, Alberta Cheese makes “traditional” Italian cheeses for sale under

New research may be paving the way to more efficiently converting biomass like cornstalks into biofuels.

Cutting the cost of ethanol

Researchers devise a way to reduce the amount of enzymes needed to convert biomass into biofuels

Biofuels like ethanol could get cheaper if new research from Rutgers and Michigan State universities holds up. Scientists there have demonstrated how to design and genetically engineer enzyme surfaces so they bind less to cornstalks and other cellulosic biomass, reducing enzyme costs in biofuels production, according to a study published in the journal ACS Sustainable






Roy Manns of Firdale uprights his plow as Jim Scott of Morden arrives to offer his aid.

PHOTOS: Plowing championships held

Annual event celebrates the lost art of the plow

After being postponed the weekend of Sept. 23 and 24, the Manitoba Provincial Plowing Association held its annual championship Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 north of Carberry on Paul Addrianson’s property. Freelance photographer Sandy Black was in attendance to document the event, sponsored by the plowing association and Carberry Agricultural Society, which attracted entrants from 12 years