FP Genetics is offering western Canadian wheat growers a guarantee to prove that newer CWRS varieties are more profitable than older lines. Currently, an estimated 80% of wheat acres are seeded with bin-run seed, says FP Genetics, and the company believes this practice means farmers are leaving money on the table by not upgrading their... Read More
Category: Western Canada
Ottawa may not be everyone's hometown, but Parliament Hill and monuments like the War Memorial belong to all of Canada. An act of violence towards our armed forces and national landmarks is an act of violence towards each of us. Ottawa is also a place where people from across the country are always meeting and... Read More
From October 27-31, farmers in Saskatchewan will have the opportunity to safely dispose of obsolete pesticide and livestock medications. The initiative is organized by CleanFARMS, a not-for-profit stewardship organization with an impressive track record. Last year, Alberta alone contributed 35 800 kilograms of unwanted pesticides for safe disposal, and since the program's 1998 launch, it... Read More
A staggering 80% of contaminants found in water bodies trace back to on-farm activities, according to government figures. Similar concerns in the United Kingdom have meant the early adoption of biobeds, contained areas specifically intended to capture and degrade pesticides. “We can take a lot from the existing models in Europe, but we have to... Read More
Despite criticism from the farm community, the number of items on A&W's menu that require specific animal care practices on farms is growing. After moving to beef raised without the use of growth promotants and eggs from hens fed vegetarian diets without animal by-products, the fast food chain announced Monday that it has switched to... Read More
By Kim Keller, farmer and co-founder of FarmAtHand This post first appeared on Farm at Hands' blog, here. Lately there has been a lot of media and coverage on agriculture — investments, technology, GMO vs. non-GMO, green fields and blue-sky opportunities and more. But very little attention is given to the real people working in... Read More
Can deep-tilling soybean residue be justified? A researcher from the University of Manitoba is looking at whether tillage practices need to change as farmers in Western Canada grow more soybeans. Despite leaving less plant matter behind than most crops, it's not uncommon to see soybean ground cultivated to leave a dark surface that warms up... Read More
A group of more than 30 organizations and agencies from across North America have formed a coalition to address concerns about honey bee health. The Canola Council of Canada, Canadian Honey Council and CropLife Canada are part of the Honey Bee Health Coalition which released a "Honey Bee Health Roadmap" last week. The document lays... Read More
The World Trade Organization has ruled against the United States once again in the ongoing dispute over American country of origin meat labeling (COOL) rules. Implemented in 2008, the Canadian government says COOL is costing Canadian cattle and hog producers a billion dollars per year. Legal Fight Against COOL Remains Alive, With WTO Ruling Coming... Read More
You're in town, enticed by the aroma of your favourite coffee joint, but you've forgotten your favourite reusable mug. Do you get a java to-go anyway? It's the middle of winter and you've just finished unloading your last grain bag. What do you do with the plastic? Every year, during the third week of October,... Read More