England to ease regulations on gene editing in agricultural research

Britain’s Farming and Environment Minister George Eustice announced recently that regulations related to gene editing in agricultural research would be eased in England following a public consultation. Rules will now largely be aligned with conventional breeding methods for research and development into plants although scientists will still be required to notify the government of any

Scientists around the world have demonstrated the use of gene editing tools is as safe as any of the methods that have been used for thousands of years.

Opinion: Plant-breeding innovations fuel future

This new technology can help solve some of the biggest challenges of tomorrow

Just as we’ve seen the importance of science and innovation in combating the current public health challenge, they stand to play an equally important role in helping agriculture tackle the challenges it faces ahead. New pests and major weather events are increasing, making the job of producing food for a growing population even more challenging.



(Freder/iStock/Getty Images)

Don’t count chickens before they hatch: Tyson bet on wrong rooster

Meat giant books unexpected decline in hatching

Chicago | Reuters — Tyson Foods is laying off a certain type of rooster from its U.S. chicken business after a surprising discovery that eggs fertilized by the male bird hatch less often, resulting in fewer chickens. The world’s largest meat producer by sales will install a replacement across its breeding program by this fall


Because 85 per cent of his ranch is native rangeland, Sean McGrath selects genetics that will accommodate things like reduced milk production.

Select cattle genetics that are a fit for your operation

Factors such as forage quality or even how far cattle walk can be key when selecting genetics

Glacier FarmMedia – Putting cattle into an environment that doesn’t suit them is like jamming a round peg in a square hole — you might be able to make it work, but it’s going to take some effort. “Genetic selection is really about putting DNA into production,” said Vermilion-area beef producer Sean McGrath. “You’re buying

Letters: Concerned for the future of seed

Letters: Concerned for the future of seed

As a farmer I am keenly aware of the importance of genetics when it comes to raising life, be it plant or animal. This does not make me unique, but rather defines a farmer’s historic relationship with the life we have been entrusted with, the idea being that genetics matter. This historic relationship has been


File photo of a rye field in Kazakhstan. (Stsmhn/iStock/Getty Images)

Beware of Kazakhs wanting to buy seed, agency says

Seed growers and farmers alike are being warned such sales breach breeders' rights rules

Western Canadian seed growers, seed retailers and commercial farmers are being urged not to sell seed to Kazakhs or their agents because it breaches plant breeders’ rights rules. “The basic fact is no Canadian breeder has given permission for their genetics to go to Kazakhstan,” Lorne Hadley, executive director of the Canadian Plant Technology Agency,

Louise and Percy Schmeiser. (Mary Lou Schechtel photo courtesy Mongrel Media)

Farmer and activist Percy Schmeiser, 89

Thorn in Monsanto's side also the subject of a new major film

Funeral services are to be held and livestreamed Saturday for Prairie farmer, businessman and activist Percy Schmeiser, best known for his ultimately unsuccessful court battles with the company behind Roundup Ready canola. Schmeiser, who farmed at Bruno, Sask., about 90 km east of Saskatoon, died Tuesday at age 89. According to Saskatchewan media, he had


What’s your cattle’s genotype?

What’s your cattle’s genotype?

How genetic information can assist beef production decisions

Genomics can be tricky. But in today’s marketplace, cattle producers need to do all they can to maintain their competitive edge, and this can be one of the keys. Fortunately, there are people out there like Steven James, director of research development at Quantum Genetix, whose job it is to simplify these matters for farmers.

Letters: Gene editing offers widespread benefits

Regarding the column “Gene editing a risk communication fiasco in the making,” Manitoba Co-operator, July 22, 2020. Sylvain Charlebois is right: our industry did a poor job of communicating to the public about GMOs. As a result, misinformation about the safety and benefits of the technology continue to persist almost 25 years later despite the