China’s Corn Rush To Redraw Global Food Landscape

When China abandoned its soybean self-sufficiency quest almost 20 years ago and started importing the oilseed feeding its hunger for livestock, it almost single- handedly transformed the industry. Today, it s poised to do the same for corn. The world s most populous nation is expected to triple corn purchases next crop year and, by

North Koreans Suffering Chronic Malnutrition

In a pediatric hospital in North Korea s most productive farming province, children lay two to a bed. All showed signs of severe malnutrition: skin infections, patchy hair, listless apathy. Their mothers have to bring them here on bicycles, said duty doctor Jang Kum Son in the Yellow Sea port city of Haeju. We used


Shrinking Oat Stocks May Add To Rising Food Costs

North American oat stocks look to fall to a near-record low next year, tightening milling supplies used in breakfast cereals such as Cheerios even as food companies struggle to contain input costs. Relatively high prices of commodities including corn, sugar and cocoa have for the past year left food companies facing the dilemma of whether

Food Prices — For Now

briefs milan/reuters World food prices are likely to remain on a downward trend for some time, after falling in September again, due to increased cereals output and weaker demand, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. But global economic uncertainty and still tight cereal reserves would add volatility to prices, said the agency


Farmers And Public Co-Operating On Animal Welfare Concerns

Canadian farmers have avoided conflicts with animal rights activists seen in other countries by co-operating with humane societies and scientists in adopting proper treatment for their livestock and poultry, says a representative of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. Geoff Urton, animal welfare manager for the B.C. SPCA, says the agriculture community has fully supported

Great Lakes Face Stresses From Run-Off, Invaders

chica go/re uters Great Lakes shorelines are becoming clogged by algae blooms fed by agricultural run-off, while invasive mussels decimate the food chain in deeper waters, according to the National Wildlife Federation. The five lakes, which contain one-fifth of the world s fresh water and supply tens of millions of people, may be veering close


Bees Make A Buzz At The Forks Market

Jim Campbell of the Manitoba Beekeepers Association (centre) sets up a display at the ManitobaHoneyShowatTheForksMarketinWinnipeg.P hoto: ShannonVanRaes By Shannon VanRaes Co-operator staff Kids and adults alike swarmed the Manitoba Honey Show early this fall, as apiarists took the opportunity to share their honey and insights. The bees are important to Manitoba, said Ray Hourd, owner

Notice Anything Different?

We ve been working on an updated look for theManitoba Co-operator for several months now, and finally decided to take the plunge. What you re seeing this week is the culmination of a number of design changes intended to make the paper look more visually interesting and easier to read without compromising our commitment to


British Energy Firm Sees Potential From Stale Pork Pies

Major British independent oil firm Greenergy sees its future as an exploration company, but one that hunts for fuel in piles of stale pork pies and cakes rather than under the ground or from food crops. The refined oil product wholesaler is still investing in the embattled European Union biodiesel sector, aiming to utilize ever

Share The Bounty With Those In Need

briefs staff / Turkey Farmers of Canada is renewing its partnership with Food Banks Canada, contributing with an annual donation of $50,000 to help meet the needs of those in rural communities. Turkey Farmers of Canada (TFC) is honoured to be partnering with Food Banks Canada for the third consecutive year, said TFC chair Mark