Farmers Won’t Tolerate Further Environmental Regulation

“Agriculture’s been doing more than its fair share without recognition, without the credit for early action from any government at this point…” Whatever measures the federal government selects for cutting carbon emissions must recognize the contributions farmers have already made, says Don McCabe, chairman of the OFA’s Environment and Science Committee. “Any increased costs for

Viterra Completes ABB Sale

Canadian grain handler Viterra Inc. said on Sept. 21 it will pay shareholders of ABB Grain A$751.7 million (US$652.5 million) in cash, plus shares in Viterra, to complete its takeover of the Australian company. ABB shareholders had until Sept. 19 to choose among options weighted toward Viterra shares or cash. Nearly 62 per cent of


A Retirement Hobby Farm And More

Mand S Fruit is a new raspberry U-pick acreage in the Inglis, Manitoba area. After working in Inglis in various capacities for many years, Mervin and Sylvia Marzolf bought their house and acreage in 2006 – a retirement hobby farm. Mervin has always been interested in growing fruit trees, and the family orchard contains young

“Prairie Pedal” Reaches Home Turf

With a third of his 3,500-km ride from Calgary to Toronto behind him, and already well halfway towards his fund-raising target of $35,000 for myeloma research, Shane Saunderson stopped to rest his weary legs for a couple of days at the family farm near Souris. It was a welcome change after 10 days of cycling


Urban Foragers Feast On Sidewalk Salads

Armed with pruning shears and a paper bag, Nance Klehm walks along a Chicago sidewalk, pointing out plants and weeds that can make a tasty salad or stir-fry. She snips stalks from a weed with downy leaves and white powder commonly cal led goosefoot or lamb’s quarters. “I collect a lot of this,” said Klehm,

Important Water Balance

The human body is made up of about 60 per cent water, with some variability based on age and other factors. In the human body, water helps regulate temperature, protects tissues, transports nutrients and carries out wastes. We can survive without food longer than without water. The recommendation that we need eight glasses of “plain”


What Does “Organic” Really Mean?

The word “organic” has proved to be one of the most powerful words in today’s supermarket. But what, people always ask me, does it mean? For many, it means food coming from an idyllic, little local family farm where no pesticides or chemical fertilizers are used and where the little animals roam free and happy

Organic Food No More Nutritious: Study

A new study from Great Britain has revived the old controversy about whether organic food is better for you. The study by a team from the London School for Hygiene and Tropical Health found no major difference in the nutrient content of organically grown food compared to conventionally grown food. Any differences that do exist


Farm Organization Formed Because Of Federal Failures

Farmers of North America was formed because the federal agencies that are supposed to help producers have failed to do their jobs, says FNA president and CEO James Mann. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency, Farm Credit and the Competition Bureau are responsible for making the market for farm products and supplies fairer for producers, he

MZTRA Farm Sees Big Benefits From Alfalfa

“It may be one of the methods that we can help the guys in the heavier clay soils down in the Red River Valley move into a reduced-tillage regime.” – LINDSAY COULTHARD It’s hard not to like alfalfa. But Lindsay Coulthard’s feel ings for the nitrogen-fixing legume go a little deeper than most. During a