Biofuels Here To Stay

Biofuels represent the only way to significantly reduce carbon emissions in road transport fuel and are likely to account for at least 12 per cent of supply by 2030, an official with oil giant BP said March 2. “There is no other alternative that I can really subscribe to in terms of decarbonizing road transport,”

Matching Lamb Production With Consumer Consumption

Most lambs are born on grass, then sold in fall. That means out-of- season breeding in indoor facilities, say in former PMU or dairy barns, could offer strong returns because prices traditionally peak early in the new year up until June because very few finished lambs are available during that period. Lucien Lesage, treasurer of


French Farmers Turning To Renewable Energy

An increasing number of farmers will try to claim a share of France’s renewable energy sector to help cope with farm price volatility and counter environmental criticism that has tarnished their rural image. Solar, wind and biomass energy are taking off in France in the wake of national and European energy targets. Farmers see them

Jordanians Protest Economic Conditions

Several thousand Jordanians protested Jan. 21 over soaring food prices and the erosion of living conditions, blaming corruption spawned by free-market reforms for the plight of the country’s poor. Islamists, left wing and trade unions activists marched through the old downtown of the city chanting “The government is eating our flesh … O Samir (Prime


Wind Turbines Might Improve Crop Performance

Wind turbines in farm fields may be doing more than churning out electricity, researchers with an Ames, Iowa laboratory associated with the U.S. energy department report. The giant turbine blades that generate renewable energy might also help crops stay cooler and drier, help them fend off fungal infestations and improve their ability to extract growth-enhancing

St. Joseph Wind Farm Nears Completion

Manitoba’s newest wind farm may be up and running in six weeks, weather permitting. All 60 wind turbines at the site should be fully commissioned by the end of February unless winter storms delay construction, said Amin Shakill, project manager for Pattern Energy Group LP, which owns and operates the project. As of last week,


EU Draft Rules Increase Watchdog Power

European regulators will gain unprecedented powers to control commodity markets through trade caps and heightened intervention if a draft EU document becomes binding, specialist lawyers said Dec. 3. Commodities are being integrated into sweeping reforms to the European Union’s markets in financial instruments directive (MiFID), which was released last month. A draft version seen by

Biomass Growers Need To Consider Costs Carefully

Farmers in the northern Plains have the potential to supply large quantities of biomass. With respect to demand for biomass, U.S. federal policies and the creation of a U.S. national renewable electricity standard, form important future market opportunities. Moreover, several state renewable energy initiatives foster additional regional demand. Before a farmer begins establishing a biomass


Sudan Targets Food Self-Sufficiency In Five Years

Sudan will prioritize agriculture to target self-sufficiency within five years after the devastation of decades of civil wars, its agriculture minister said Nov. 22. Africa’s largest country must diversify its economy away from oil – from which it derives more than 90 per cent of its foreign exchange revenues – as the oil-producing south is

Learning The Grain Business One Load At A Time

Martin Harder learned the grain-buying business by trial and error and looking back he probably wouldn’t have it any other way. He grew up at MacGregor, got married in 1968 and started farming. It was tough sledding and by 1970, Harder made the decision it was time to earn a living and got into the