Letters – for Oct. 28, 2010

A report in the Oct. 14 Manitoba Co-operator announced that the Canadian Chamber of Commerce recently passed a resolution at its annual meeting in Gatineau, Quebec calling for an “amendment to the CWB Act supporting voluntary marketing of wheat and barley.” It further “called on the minister to use his powers to instruct the CWB

Expensive CAP Unlikely To Be Capped

With a wave of post-crisis austerity sweeping Europe, deep cuts to public spending are the order of the day, and for some, the EU’s much-criticized common agricultural policy (CAP) is a prime target for cost savings. But given the current debate on the future of the European Union’s farm policy, those wanting a radical reform


Some Predictions More Useful Than Others

Recently, I was treated to a presentation by yet another expert who believes the world’s climate is going to hell in a hand basket. The message for agriculture is adapt, adapt, adapt. The long-term trend, say most of the experts, is undeniably warming temperatures. While the science isn’t as sure, many experts are betting the



Letters – for Oct. 21, 2010

The story “Deal to protect Langford Community Pasture, Manitoba Co-operatorOct. 14, is indeed a good news story. It represents the largest conservation agreement in Manitoba, if not Western Canada. There is another partner that should be recognized in this story, and that is the Whitemud Watershed Conservation District (WWCD). WWCD was instrumental in moving this

ATVs On The Land

There have been several serious ATV incidents in Manitoba this year. This is a sad reminder that there is a great need for us to educate all riders on appropriate ATV usage on the rural landscape. Farmers have a love-hate relationship with ATVs. They are useful around the farm to check fields or fences, move


Critical CWB Activity May Be Its Most Important

Another Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) director election is upon us and it seems a bit quiet so far. Considering the acrimonious position of the Conservative government on the CWB and its past meddling in its affairs, one almost expects some more political mischief from them sooner or later. On the other hand if they do

Corporate Universities Toe The Line

ASeptember piece inThe Economist,makes the bold statement that “America’s universities lost their way badly in the era of easy money. If they do not find it again, they may go the way of GM,” the global automotive giant that became a global lemon in less than two generations. The Economistlists some incriminating facts: While “median


Our “Response Ability”

But can it feed the world? The question routinely arises when the conversation turns to organic agriculture. Conventional wisdom says organic agriculture is a nice niche for those who can afford to pay the higher premiums as compensation for the farmers’ lower yields. But the production system can’t possibly achieve the productivity that will be

One-Issue Sermonizers Indeed!

In your Oct. 7 issue Ronald Doering asserts that the good people around us who champion local foods are “One-issue sermonizers.” Yes, promoters of local foods do tend to use food travel miles (usually 1,500 to 2,000 kms on