Much has changed in the last 45 years, from the fall of the Iron Curtain to the advent of the Internet, but one thing has essentially remained the same — the NFU logo. Now the National Farmers Union (NFU) is looking to update its green maple leaf design, a move that drew both criticism and
NFU struggles to redefine its image
After nearly half a century, the National Farmers Union is looking to update its public identity amid flagging numbers in a bid to attract more members
Prove your concept before seeking investors
A move away from antibiotics is opening up new opportunities in livestock research and investment
What are producers and investors looking for when it comes to innovation in the livestock sector? Not always the same thing it would seem. Speaking at the Agri Innovation Forum in Winnipeg last week, a panel of producers and business leaders discussed where innovation is heading when it comes to animal agriculture and animal health.
China still an important factor
Exports remain key to Canada’s commodity sector as prices fall back to earth
Profits on grains and oilseeds might be down, but it’s no reason to panic. Speaking at Farm Management Canada’s Agriculture Excellence conference in Winnipeg, Farm Credit Canada’s chief economist said the high prices of recent years were never destined to become the new normal. “The sky is not falling, it’s not falling at all,” J.P.
PED not sole factor in hog price increase
Even without PED hog prices would have been strong last year
No one wants to rejoice in their neighbours’ suffering — or at least no one admits to it — but the ongoing PED outbreak south of the border has undoubtably aided Canadian hog producers. Speaking at a Farm Management Canada’s Agriculture Excellence conference in Winnipeg, J.P. Gervais said that the continued presence of the porcine
Federal scientists muzzled by PMO
Stance on antibiotic issues hard to pin down
Canada’s federal government wants the public to know that it is promoting the “prudent use” of medically important antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals. But it doesn’t want the public to know what that means — and it certainly doesn’t want the public to hear what its scientists and veterinarians have to say about what many
Manitoba flood compensation dollars flow
Landowners along the Portage Diversion are eligible
The flood waters have receded and now it’s cash that is flowing. The Manitoba government announced last week that farmers whose lands were flooded as a result of the decision to use the Portage Diversion this past summer will be eligible for $1.15 million in compensation. “During our flood response, the Manitoba government used the
Antibiotic-resistant genes pass between bacteria
Solving the problem of increasing antibiotic-resistant organisms will require stakeholders to move beyond the blame game and collaborate
It’s a microscopic problem with huge repercussions, repercussions that could end a way of life humans have enjoyed for seven decades. Experts say that antibiotic resistance is on the rise, including resistance to antibiotics important to human health. “It is indeed a crisis, the evolution of antibiotic resistance is occurring at an alarming rate, outpacing
Are rail companies poised to miss grain shipping targets?
The next few weeks will be crucial as farmers wait to see if grain backlogs will again be a problem on the Canadian Prairies
This year’s Prairie harvest may not be quite the record-breaking bin buster that 2013 was, but it doesn’t mean farmers will be free of transportation problems. Mark Hemmes, president of Quorum Corp. — the Edmonton-based company which was contracted by the federal government to monitor grain transport in the West — said that the next
Livestock levy increase well received
Flooding is a major issue for Manitoba beef producers, but it’s only one of the many issues facing them today
It’s been nearly five months since the Manitoba Beef Producers levy went up to $3 a head, and producers have been gathering at district meetings to hear where that money has been going. Speaking to District 4 producers at the Grunthal Auction Mart, MBP’s general manager Melinda German explained that the increased levy — which
Poor weather leads to poor quality crops
Soybean and lentil yields are up this year, but don’t expect that prices will follow suit
The quality of Canadian wheat may be down this year, but that doesn’t mean demand will drop. Speaking at a recent Cereals North America conference in Winnipeg, CWB crop and weather specialist Bruce Burnett said this season’s crop got off on the wrong foot from day one, following a late thaw. “The roots of our
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
