The term ‘barley sandwich’ is about to get a whole lot more literal. The Canadian International Grains institute, better known as Cigi, has completed a year-long project examining how blending barley into traditional wheat flour could improve both nutritional properties and milling performance. On its own, barley can be difficult to mill, often clumping and
Cigi looking to expand barley’s role
The ability to make barley-related health claims is helping drive the development of new, healthier flours
One step closer to surface water regulations
The province is aiming to reduce red tape and nutrient loading with newly tabled legislation
The Manitoba government has tabled long-discussed legislation aimed at safeguarding the province’s waterways. “We are fundamentally changing the way we protect wetlands and are taking a fresh approach to ensure clear water for future generations right across the province,” said Tom Nevakshonoff, minister of conservation and water stewardship. “Every action has a consequence and we
Ripe kiwifruit comes at a premium
One bad kiwifruit can spoil the consumer when it comes to marketing New Zealand’s namesake fruit
Somehow, the name Chinese gooseberry didn’t quite fit the bill for a fruit grown in New Zealand. Was it a real gooseberry? Was it from China? Was it part of a communist plot to raise funds? Was it subject to berry tariffs or possibly a melon tax? These were the questions that plagued the furry
U.N. declares 2016 as the International Year of Pulses
Legumes have agronomic and health benefits
Move over quinoa and look out soil, pulses have claimed the podium. Last week the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization announced that 2016 has been christened the International Year of Pulses, a title that will lead to co-ordinated efforts among growers, scientists, health experts and nations in an effort to encourage the consumption of
Business leaders debate what being a ‘trusted’ food supplier means
There is more that connects agri-food businesses in Canada than divides them
For Michael McCain, the suggestion that Canada should become the world’s most trusted food system is a dangerous one. “Higher cost — in our view — will never be universally valued,” he told industry stakeholders and policy-makers at the Forum on Canada’s Agri-Food Future in Ottawa. “Because our marketplace… isn’t homogenous, and that’s where the
Is importing milk better for the environment?
Initial government numbers for market access prove to be lowballed after full text of Trans-Pacific Partnership released
David Fisher isn’t shy about sharing his thoughts on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. “Take out the Canadians and it’s going to go well,” said the longtime dairy farmer, speaking to a group of international journalists on his farm near Hamilton, New Zealand. The frustration felt by producers like Fisher, as well as those involved in negotiating
Climate change could increase Canadian crop production
Climate change is already affecting what crops are grown in northern regions and more changes are on the way
Climate change is altering weather, raising sea levels and shrinking the Arctic, but that might be a good thing for Canada — at least from an agricultural production standpoint. “It looks like Canada is going to be one of the winners from climate change,” said Jason Clay of the World Wildlife Fund, speaking to industry
VIDEO: Economics trump environment without careful planning
Manitoba Co-operator reporter Shannon VanRaes talks to Jason Clay of the World Wildlife Fund about how to balance diverse interests while pursuing sustainability, during the Forum on Canada’s Agri-food Future in Ottawa.
VIDEO: Agri-food brain trust gathers in Ottawa to ask tough questions
Manitoba Co-operator reporter Shannon VanRaes travelled to Ottawa for the 2015 Forum on Canada’s Agri-food Future. The event — hosted by The Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute — asked a provocative question: can and should Canada become the world’s most trusted food system? Industry stakeholders, policy makers and producers provided their answers as Canada’s role in the work
New Zealand grass greener, but milk prices are sour
Many New Zealand dairy farmers are reducing inputs and lowering output as they adjust to what they hope will be a short-term slump in milk prices
Every day, John Fisher loses money. Surrounded by lush, green pastures, some of which have been established for more than half a century, the New Zealand dairy farmer says his cost of production is now above the international milk price and has been for some time. “You’ve got to take a long-term view of these things,”
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