Canadian burger chain A+W cites “poor winter weather” in most regions and “economic challenges” in its Alberta and Saskatchewan markets for flat sales in its first quarter. The Vancouver-based burger and root beer chain on Tuesday booked total sales of $245.16 million for the quarter ending March 26, up 0.6 per cent from $243.8 million […] Read more
Weather, ‘economic challenges’ drag on A+W sales
The new edition of the Blue Book is out
Reading Time: < 1 minute This year’s edition of the Blue Book is now available. Crop Protection 2017 has been updated to include newly registered pesticides and usage instructions. This includes new herbicide registrations for pre-seed products and a number of new fungicides, including products for use on canola, cereal crops, and potatoes. Newly registered seed treatments are available for […] Read more
Southwestern Ontario potato planting underway
Close-to-seasonal temperatures and good planting conditions across parts of southwestern Ontario have growers in the Leamington region planting potatoes. According to Eugenia Banks, a special consultant for the Ontario Potato Board, potato planting began Wednesday morning, ahead of a weather system that’s forecast to dump up to 40 mm of rain by Friday. According to […] Read more
Concerned about the upcoming phase-out of Imidacloprid?
Health Canada plans to ban the neonicotinoid in three to five years, but is first consulting farm groups and growers
Reading Time: 2 minutes Neonicotinoids could be harmful to aquatic insects — and that has sealed the fate for one version of the pesticide. Following a review, Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has proposed phasing out Imidacloprid over the next three to five years. “Our re-evaluation found no risk for human health,” said Scott Kirby, director general […] Read more
Pacific trade pact countries seek ‘progressive’ way forward
Vina Del Mar, Chile | Reuters — The remaining members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) are seeking a way forward on the trade pact, they said on Wednesday, as some emphasized the need for deals to address concerns about workers’ rights and other issues. The TPP, which originally covered some 40 per cent of global […] Read more
Paths seen open to post-TPP Pacific trade pact
Santiago | Reuters — Countries that signed up for the failed trade pact known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will meet in Chile next week, seeking a way forward on a possible future regional deal, Chile’s head of international trade told Reuters. Representatives from the 12 countries that formed the TPP, plus China and South […] Read more
P.E.I. potato chip plant revived for pulse processing
A Prairie grain and pulse processing firm plans to get Prince Edward Island farmers growing field peas this year to supply a new pulse processing plant. New Leaf Essentials East, a new arm of Innisfail, Alta.-based W.A. Grain and Pulse Solutions, announced Wednesday it has bought the former Humpty Dumpty potato chip plant at Slemon […] Read more
Greek farmers clash with police in Athens during reforms protest
Athens | Reuters — Greek farmers clashed with police in central Athens on Wednesday when a protest against tax and pension reforms mandated by the country’s multi-billion-euro bailout turned violent. About 1,300 farmers who had arrived in Athens from the island of Crete overnight headed to the agriculture ministry, which was sealed off by police […] Read more
Manitoba storm may cause more than travel delays
CNS Canada –– Road closures across most of western Manitoba due to a late-winter storm are likely only the start of the headaches to come, as flooding and/or late seeding may be a reality in many areas this spring. Meteorologist Drew Lerner of World Weather Inc. in Kansas City said he was optimistic on moisture […] Read more
Ontario cider, spirit makers get support program
Ontario’s small-scale fruit cideries and distillers are getting provincial support to help scale up production. The province on Tuesday announced it would budget $4.9 million over three years for a new Small Cidery and Small Distillery Support Program. The program will provide eligible cideries with up to 74 cents per litre and eligible distillers with […] Read more
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