Farmers and the agriculture industry as a whole need to explain why they use the technology and practices they do, stresses the CEO of CropLife Canada. As a voice for makers and distributors of plant protection and biotechnology products, Ted Menzies, the CEO of CropLife Canada, is no stranger to conversations about why agriculture needs... Read More
Category: Western Canada
For many farm families, building a farm business that the next generation can take over is a top priority. There's great pride and value placed in keeping a farm "in the family." While it's important to have a viable business worth passing on, a successful farm transition also requires individuals in the younger generation who... Read More
The ability to collect machine data wirelessly from farms across Canada is starting to yield practical information that can help farmers become more efficient — evidence that takes colour out of the equation to answer questions like "what's the optimal engine speed of my model XYZ combine during harvest?" or "should I use a fuel... Read More
Are we finally seeing signs of expansion in the Canadian beef herd? If you dig deep enough into Canadian cattle inventory report published by Statistics Canada last week, you might just be inclined to answer yes. The twice-a-year report showed total cattle and calf numbers across the country on January 1 were up just 0.3... Read More
The European Union has voted to expand the scope of the Canada-EU Organic Equivalency Arrangement. That means processed products that are certified organic and contain imported agreements will no longer require double certification. It also means EU and Canadian organic wines will be considered equivalent. “Allowing goods to flow more easily between Canada and Europe... Read More
There's a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the Trans-Pacific Partnership, with President Obama running tight on time and the frontrunners in the race to replace him — Trump, Clinton, Sanders, Cruz — voicing their opposition to the proposed trade deal. Both the U.S. and Japan, due to the size of their economies, must be part... Read More
As drones have gained mainstream popularity over the last year or two, they've become easier to fly, cheaper and safer than ever before, making them more practical and obtainable for use in agriculture. "The technology is so refined, a lot of producers now are starting to see the benefits," says UAV specialist and pilot Chad... Read More
What did you do on your most recent vacation? Ski? Go south? Binge-watch Netflix? Not Dr. Paula Menzies. She spent her vacation writing the final chapters of a book…on udder health for dairy goats. It wasn’t especially relaxing. And it won’t end up being a best seller on Amazon or Chapters. But the book, released... Read More
According to the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, in 2011 the global market for organic products reached a value nearing $US 63 billion. In Canada, the organic agriculture sector has been growing since the early 1980s, with now over 1.7M acres of farmed land certified organic. And though the overall number of farms in... Read More
Young Agrarians grew by a province this year, with the new Alberta chapter receiving the 2015 Community Agricultural Grant from Peavey Mart — a fifty thousand dollar award given annually to a project that helps strengthen rural communities. "Young Agrarians is an initiative that came out of British Columbia, and really it's an opportunity for... Read More