China’s agricultural future: Adopt developed technologies

China is a grudging importer of corn and pork, preferring instead to increase domestic production 


As the most populous nation on Earth, China has intermittently been seen as the solution to the problem created by the ability of U.S. farmers to produce more than they can sell at a profitable price. Sometimes the discussion is focused on cotton; at other times it is corn or soybeans. Today, it is pork

World briefs, Feb. 2

Chinese premier favours modernization over grain imports beijing / reuters / China must push forward with modernizing agricultural technology as it faces increasing difficulty in meeting local food demand, Premier Wen Jiabao said in a recent essay. “The fundamental way out is to enhance the construction of modern agriculture to boost the complex agricultural productivity


Manitoba Ag Days 2011

lorraine stevenson Tire kicking:Farmers attending the three-day 34th 2011 Manitoba Ag Days viewed the latest agricultural technology and equipment and spoke with exhibit representatives at more than 500 displays under the Keystone Centre roof last week. The number of exhibits at Ag Days has more than doubled over the past decade.

Africa Needs “Green Revolution” For Food Security

Sub-Saharan Africa needs a “Green Revolution” investing in agricultural technology to boost food security after decades of underinvestment, a United Nations agency said May 19. The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said in a report that technology and innovation must be targeted at the needs of Africa’s millions of smallholder farmers and reflect


Coalition Attacks Prison Farm Closures

Acampaign against the closing of Canada’s prison farms could signal a new opposition aggressiveness against the Conservative government’s anti-crime agenda when Parliament reconvenes next month. Speakers at a panel discussion last week slammed Ottawa’s plan to shut down Correction Canada’s six prison farms, including the Rockwood Institution at Stony Mountain Penitentiary. The closures reflect the

Foreigners Buying African Farms A Good Thing

The outsourcing of food production in Africa by some Asian and Middle-Eastern countries will boost global stocks and may help stave off future food crises, the World Bank says. In the aftermath of last year’s food crisis, capital-rich nations who lack sufficient arable land to feed growing populations started buying or leasing large portions of


Excess Liquidity Driving Up Food Prices

Excess liquidity in global markets is driving up prices of farm commodities, which could be potentially dangerous in the near term, World Bank president Robert Zoellick said Dec. 11. With global interest rates at historic lows, investors are piling into different markets and asset classes in search of higher returns, raising concerns about possible asset

Agriculture Hall Of Fame – for Sep. 24, 2009

Ralph Jacob “Clint” Whetter was born June 20, 1919, in the R. M. of Winchester. He attended both public and high school in Dand. In 1938, Clint enrolled in agriculture at the University of Manitoba. In 1942, following graduation, he enlisted and went overseas with the RCAF. In 1945, after flying 55 bombing missions, Clint


Monsanto quarterly loss shrinks; record sales seen

Monsanto posted a smaller quarterly loss Oct. 8 as strong herbicide and seed sales helped offset seasonal slowness and research and development costs. Shares of the agricultural technology company rose more than six per cent after company officials said they saw strong growth ahead and boosted their gross profit target for 2012 to between $9.5

Christian forum tackles controversial food issues

“We thought ‘is it possible for us to get together and talk gracefully, peacefully together about such difficult, conflicting issues?” – BRUCE DUGGAN, LEAD CO-ORDINATOR FOR EVENT Some Christians run agribusinesses. Some volunteer in community gardens. Some say modern agricultural technology will feed humanity. Others are saying it’s bringing the family farm to its knees.