“Farmers at the time were not insurance oriented at all.” – HAYDEN TOLTON To most Manitobans, former premier Duff Roblin’s main legacy will always be Duff’s Ditch – the floodway diverting spring run off from the Red River around Winnipeg that has saved the city many times. But Roblin, who died last week at 92,
Duff Roblin (1917-2010): Manitoba Crop Insurance Pioneer
Food Stats Show Some Positive Trends
Canadians are eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and less red meat, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the nation’s overall diet is improving. The average Canadian also consumes more sugar, coffee and cheese and nearly as much fat and oil as before, says a new Statistics Canada food consumption report for 2009. The average caloric
New Report Alleges Systemic Livestock Transport Abuse
“Do the math. It’s less than half a per cent.” – CRYSTAL MACKAY, OFAC Anew and controversial report by the World Society for the Protection of Animals claims farm animals routinely arrive at Canadian livestock auction markets and slaughterhouses dead, sick or severely injured. It bases its findings, not on anecdotal evidence, but on the
Bee Sensitive To Helpful Insects, Urbanites Urged
What do Mount Everest and honeybees have in common? Check out May 29. That was the day in 1953 when Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first people to successfully climb the world’s highest mountain. Hillary was a beekeeper from New Zealand. This year, May 29 was the day proclaimed by Ottawa,
World Food Safety At Risk From Climate Change: Lewis
“It’s paralyzing to see such hunger. But you can’t compromise on food safety.” – STEPHEN LEWIS Climate change poses a huge danger to food safety, especially in Africa, where many already go hungry, a national food science summit in Winnipeg was warned May 31. “Volcanic shifts” in weather patterns expected in the next 20 to
Renewable Fuels Generate Economic Benefits: Study
“It validates the commitment we made to Canadians.” – GORDON QUAIATTINI, CRFA Anew study for Canada’s renewable fuels industry has found biofuel production contributes major benefits to the nation’s economy. Canada receives a $2-billion-net annual economic gain from the production of biofuels, says the study done for the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association. Biofuel (made from
Red Tape Hurts Farm Competitiveness
Aparl iamentary committee recommends major changes to federal regulations that disadvantage Canada’s farmers against their global competitors. If implemented, the recommendations in a recently tabled House of Commons agriculture committee report could go a long way toward dealing with farmers’ complaints that government fees and red tape make them uncompetitive in the marketplace. In all,
Study Suggests Livestock Traceability Deadline Unrealistic
“This could be the demise of livestock marketing as we know it today.” – BOB PERLICH, LETHBRIDGE Ever since the federal government announced 2011 as the deadline for a national livestock traceability system, Canada’s cattle industry has insisted the technology at auction markets isn’t up to the task. A new study agrees that radio frequency
Mcpa Pushes Cattle Price Insurance
Manitoba cattle producers have renewed their call for a national cattle price insurance program based on a model operating in Alberta. MCPA officials made the pitch during an April 18 meeting with Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger and Agriculture Minister Stan Struthers, who responded “very favourably,” said general manager Sheila Mowat. “They’re very aware of it,”
Out-Of-Court Settlement Sought For BSE Lawsuit
Agrassroots movement of cattle producers is pressing for an out-of-court settlement to a class-action lawsuit against Ottawa for damages stemming from BSE. Producers across Canada are petitioning the federal government to appoint retired Supreme Court judge Frank Lacobucci to mediate the settlement. Organizers are currently circulating petitions across Canada for producers to sign and forward
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
