The federal government is set to run a study reconsidering the previous administration’s decision to shut farming operations at federal penitentiaries. Following up on a Liberal campaign pledge, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) announced plans Thursday for a feasibility study including both in-person and online consultations with stakeholders and the public. Specifically, CSC said […] Read more
Ottawa plans study for new Kingston prison farm
World food markets set for stable year: FAO
Rome | Reuters — Global food commodity markets are likely to remain stable in the coming year, the United Nations’ food agency said on Thursday, even as prices rose for the fourth straight month. Solid output prospects and abundant stocks should keep prices and supplies stable, while lower prices than those seen last year are […] Read more
Russia not planning expanded ban on Western foods
Moscow | Reuters — Russia does not plan to expand the list of banned Western food products, Agriculture Minister Alexander Tkachev told reporters. Earlier on Friday, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev ordered his ministers to draft proposals to extend Moscow’s food import ban until the end of 2017. The Agriculture Ministry has already started preparing […] Read more
Business training funds available
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Business Management Skills Development Program, has recently undergone a few minor changes, including a revised application form. The program helps producers, agri-processing companies, and agricultural organizations, and improves their business management skills. Funding is available for courses or programs that are focused on business management skills and training — including marketing, productivity, financial management, […] Read more
U.S. sees first case of bacteria resistant to last-resort antibiotic
Reuters — U.S. health officials on Thursday reported the first case in the country of a patient with an infection resistant to a last-resort antibiotic, and expressed grave concern that the superbug could pose serious danger for routine infections if it spreads. “We risk being in a post-antibiotic world,” said Thomas Frieden, director of the […] Read more
Is scrapping ALMA a mistake?
Reading Time: < 1 minute The dissolution of the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency in last month’s provincial budget may be a step backward for Alberta’s agri-food processing industry. “I know ALMA was able to move fairly quickly in terms of responding to both opportunities and concerns and really apply resources in a very forthright fashion because of the way […] Read more
New mindset needed? Earls is just the ‘tip of the iceberg’
Consumers are starting to call the tune about how cattle are raised, and the sector needs to respond, say industry observers
Reading Time: 4 minutes Consumers are demanding sustainable beef and many want it sooner rather than later. That’s a key lesson from the Earls Restaurant controversy — and evidence producers need to change their thinking, say experts. “The first thing the cattle industry has to do is stop believing that there is no money to be made with niche […] Read more
Alberta lifts off-roading ban
Citing an outbreak of “wet and cool weather” across parts of the province, reducing the overall fire hazard, the Alberta government has lifted most of its restrictions on off-highway vehicle (OHV) use. The province lifted its OHV ban for “much of the province” except for its forest areas around Lac La Biche and Fort McMurray, […] Read more
Alberta groups receive funding for farm safety training
Reading Time: 2 minutes Six Alberta organizations have received grants from Farm Credit Canada and the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association for farm safety training programs. The six Alberta projects were among the 13 organizations which received funding this year from the FCC Ag Safety Fund. Projects with a local or provincial scope can receive up to $5,000. The six […] Read more
Bacteria share antibiotic resistance with genetic partners
Reading Time: 2 minutes Michigan State University researchers have uncovered a troubling trend towards multiple antibiotic resistance in concentrated animal feeding operations. A research team led by James Tiedje, distinguished professor of microbiology found that in large swine farms where antibiotics are used continuously in feed for growth promotion and disease prevention, multi-drug-resistant bacteria are likely the norm rather […] Read more