Below are some of my thoughts about succession planning from this week at Agritrade in Red Deer, Alberta. It is very clear that farmers are not tired of this discussion based on the attendance at the AgriTrend Learning Center. If you cannot see the embedded audio player above, CLICK HERE
Category: Western Canada
Agriculture is getting better at not ignoring or dismissing smear campaigns, just because it doesn’t like them (i.e. A&W, Panera bread). So in that light, it also shouldn’t roll its eyes at Friends of the Earth and its new survey that, according to the organization, shows Ontarians want “honey bee carnage” stopped. There are good... Read More
Federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz was on hand at Agri-Trade at Red Deer, Alta., today to announce over $25 million in funding support for the the National Wheat Improvement Project (NWIP). The Government of Canada, along with the Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC), Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) and the Canadian Field Crop Research Alliance (CFCRA)... Read More
A broad-spectrum, multi-mode of action tank-mix is one way to manage herbicide resistance. BASF Canada and Monsanto Canada have teamed up to recommend tank-mixing Roundup Transorb HC or Roundup Ultra2 herbicide with Heat or Distinct herbicide. The companies have sweetened the deal by offering a $0.50 per acre discount when farmers purchase either of the... Read More
This past week not only marked the running of the Royal, formerly the Royal Agriculture Winter Fair, but also the Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture competition in Toronto, Ont. Each year, bright young minds in two categories, junior and senior, gather together to give a five to seven minute speech on a given topic. Just... Read More
There comes a point in the horsepower range where, quite frankly, you're done with messing around. It's time to bring out the big guns, pull some major implements and Do. It. Up. If you're in the market for some high horsepower tractors, AGCO would like you to get to know its high horsepower line, the... Read More
In a continuing trend, consumers are saying no to the idea of making the labeling of GMO included foods mandatory. In Washington voters said no to the idea of mandatory GMO labeling. Detractors will spout off that this loss was due to biotech companies spending a state record 22 million dollars, but the reality is... Read More
Ah, Artemesia absinthium. If you've ever had the misfortune of being acquainted with absinth wormwood, you'll likely never forget it. Many describe the plant by its appearance and odor, both likened to pasture sage. Absinth's odor is strong, however, and in my experience, the pollen profoundly irritates the respiratory system. In fact, you can quite... Read More
By Michael Grant, Director, Research, Centre for Food in Canada This post first appeared here, and is re-posted here with permission. An upcoming report for The Conference Board of Canada’s Centre for Food in Canada argues that it is time for the Canadian dairy sector to transition from playing defence to playing offense. The notion... Read More
“There are no facts, only interpretations,” is a common quote I refer to from poet Friedrich Nietzsche. Modernizing the language, I take it as, “Facts don’t matter, only the perception.” The struggle for perception in food is at an all time high. I talked last month about A&W’s perception of what ‘Better Beef’ represents, despite... Read More