We’ve gone a long way in recent years unlocking the genetic potential of plants — but mainly the focus has been on seeds and fruits. Now researchers from Britain’s University of York and Quadram Institute say they’re unlocking the genetic secrets of plant cell walls, which could help improve the quality of some plant-based foods.
Cell wall secrets could unlock plant potential
U.K. researchers say figuring this puzzle out could improve hunt for traits
Former Alberta agriculture minister LeRoy Fjordbotten, 78
Memorial services will be held Sunday in Claresholm, Alta. for LeRoy Fjordbotten, the farmer and consultant who served as Alberta’s agriculture minister from 1982 to 1986. Fjordbotten, who died June 8, farmed northeast of Granum, about 60 km northwest of Lethbridge, and was a member of Flying Farmers of Alberta before running for the Progressive
Ontario redrafts vegetable grower organization governance
Ontario’s Farm Products Marketing Commission (OFPMC) is proposing a new governance structure for the Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers, which has been without a board of directors since March. The commission last week released proposed amendments to provincial Regulations 441 and 400, which would set up an eight-member OPVG board with an OFPMC-appointed chair. The amendments
Five policy priorities for food and agriculture
Several initiatives are taking place concurrently at the national level
The federal government is looking at agriculture and food policy from five different perspectives: The National Food Policy, with the potential to define long-term agriculture and food guidelines. The Liberal government campaigned on creating a National Food Policy. It was identified in Agriculture and Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay’s mandate letter and Fraser said the Prime
Tim Hortons parent updates antibiotic policy for chicken
The parent company for the Tim Hortons and Burger King chains has tightened up its pledge to curb the use of antibiotics by its chicken suppliers. Restaurant Brands International on Thursday released its first “Sustainability Report,” outlining its work during 2016 in support of “sustainable practices that promote positive change.” Back in late December, Oakville,
PotashCorp, Agrium choose new married name
Canadian fertilizer giants Agrium and PotashCorp have picked the new brand under which they plan to do business once their proposed merger clears. Calgary-based Agrium and Saskatoon-based PotashCorp announced Wednesday their new merged company, pending regulatory review and approvals, will be named Nutrien. “The new organization will be the global leader in reliable, low-cost crop
Jack and Dianne Froese 2017 Red River Ex Farm Family
The Winkler couple has been recognized for commitment to the industry and environmental stewardship
Jack and Dianne Froese are the 2017 Red River Exhibition Farm Family of the Year. They operate Froese Enterprises near Winkler where they grow field crops, including pulses, soybeans and canola. They began farming in the 1970s and as young farmers they were interested in environmental stewardship, leading them to adopt numerous practices including cultivating environmentally friendly
No charges against Quebec’s ex-ag minister
Quebec’s director of prosecutions has decided not to pursue criminal charges against the province’s fired agriculture minister over allegations of “acts of a sexual character.” The province’s director of criminal and penal prosecutions (DPCP) announced in a release Monday that the office was “not reasonably convinced” culpability could be proven against the provincial member for
DDG can help forage digestibility
The ethanol industry byproduct can help cattle get more from late-season grasses
One of the challenges for cattle producers around the world is getting the most out of late-season forage. In many cases forages become harder to digest later in the growing season, making them less beneficial for animals. Now a group of Texas researchers say supplementing these forages with dried distillers grain from the ethanol industry
Agrium buys polymer maker’s ag chem applications
Fertilizer and ag retail firm Agrium has closed a deal for an Australian polymer maker’s ag chemical business, aiming to put it to work in fertilizer and pesticide application. Calgary-based Agrium said Tuesday it has bought Starpharma Holdings’ agrochemical business for A$35 million (C$35.3 million) via Agrium’s U.S. crop input arm, Loveland Products. The deal