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From the Hip

The release of carbon dioxide is increasing in tandem with a wide number of other human activities and there is little evidence that agriculture is a major culprit.
From the Hip, Opinion

Many sources of greenhouse gases are being ignored

Agriculture is singled out while major contributors receive little or no attention in climate change debate

By
As the discussion on climate change heats up, I find myself defaulting to facts that may surprise you. Climate change is not a new phenomenon. The definition is basically changes in wind patterns, temperature and precipitation that stretches over several decades. With that definition in mind, climate change has been an ongoing challenge for farmers […] Read more
A sound business plan can determine how efficiently your 'farm engine' operates.
From the Hip, Opinion

What’s in the engine room of your farm business?

It’s not just the physical assets that power your enterprise and keep it moving forward

By
My friend Claire Booth from Australia shared a photo of her farm office referring to it as the “engine room” of their business. I like that analogy and am conscious of the fact that we all run with an engine and without that source of power or way of moving forward, we stay in one […] Read more
From the Hip, Opinion

When we rush to help, we can put ourselves at risk

When livestock get into trouble, we need to consider how quickly a rescue mission can go wrong


By
The abundance of new life on the farm at this time of the year leads to a lot of antics on the part of animals. It is wonderful to watch the babies get busy with play we call ‘horsing around.’ Calves and foals are romping, the first chicks are peeping, the piglets are squealing. Big […] Read more
How does peanut butter fit into our identity as Canadians?
From the Hip, Opinion

It’s as Canadian as peanut butter? Fascinating food facts

Whether born out of curiosity or necessity, this country has a rich history in creating new foods

By
When we think of a Canadian meal, we think of beef, pork, lamb, chicken, milk, and all the fixings. Spring is here and the BBQ has likely been dusted off to welcome these old flames to our weary winter palate. As Canadians, we set the table with favourites such as lasagna, burgers of every description, […] Read more
Though many farmers may not realize it, their routine in a global context is essential to food security and social stability.
From the Hip, Opinion

Viewing the importance of farming through a different lens

Studying global leadership gave me a new appreciation of how agriculture underpins everything

By
I am writing to you in this column sporting my new credentials: master of arts in global leadership. And through it all, I never left agriculture. In fact, it was agriculture that gave me the depth and breadth of experience for interesting dialogue and the completion of many papers based on food production and food […] Read more
Hundreds of thousands of square metres of greenhouse space is being refitted to propagate and produce cannabis.
From the Hip, Opinion

An unintended consequence of cannabis legalization

The money in cannabis has made it a highly attractive alternative to greenhouse plant propagators


By
When the Government of Canada changed the Criminal Code and legalized cannabis, it raised very few eyebrows in the agricultural community. It was debated as a crop on all levels and later recognized as an agricultural product. Where it was grown and by whom was left to other jurisdictions. It was viewed as an opportunity […] Read more
What I appreciate in the latest Canada’s Food Guide is the encouragement to get children involved in the process of meal preparation. – Brenda Schoepp
From the Hip, Opinion

The new food guide can be an opportunity for the ag sector

Instead of being on the defensive, why not take a more constructive and educational approach?

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I read with dismay that British grocer giant Tesco was cutting more jobs in its grocery stores from the fresh counter and replacing those employees with vending machines. I thought about how that put another league of distance between people and their food. Is it any wonder farmers feel there is such disconnect with the […] Read more
Almost everything we grow in Canada is exported in some form and this relies on rail, trucks, air transport but more importantly, transport by sea through warm water ports.
From the Hip, Opinion

Infrastructure is the foundation of food security

Without functioning ports, economies can be crippled — as the British may soon learn to their sorrow

By
Grain farmers have experienced it: The worry about grain car accessibility and the multiplying losses when grain cannot be shipped or sits at port. Cattlemen know the importance of an open border. Almost everything we grow in Canada is exported in some form and this relies on rail, trucks, air transport but more importantly, transport […] Read more
Food and financial literacy needs to be taught in our schools so children can bring that knowledge back to their communities and homes.
From the Hip, Opinion

It’s Home Economics 101 — and a lesson for our time

It’s time to bring back those skills that made the kitchen tables the centre of our homes

By
I made a quick evening stop at the grocery store while near Edmonton. It was late and cold. Tired moms filled the aisles, getting their shopping done. Men filled baskets with food for the next day. Babies cried. Children were restless. This was not an ideal end to a long working day. I thought about […] Read more

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AGCanadaTV: In Case You Missed It – Your National Ag News Recap for the week ending July 12, 2019

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