Farmers in Canada and the U.S. left holding flocks of pigeons after the reported bankruptcy of Pigeon King International shouldn’t just release the birds, a national fanciers’ group urged Monday. Ontario farm media reported last week that farmers in several provinces who had invested in meat pigeons through Waterloo, Ont. company PKI have now received […] Read more
Don’t turn PKI pigeons loose: Fanciers
Federal judge unties gag on CWB
In deciding how or if the Canadian Wheat Board should promote single-desk marketing of Prairie wheat and barley, the buck stops with CWB directors, not with the federal minister responsible, a federal court judge ruled Thursday. Federal Court Justice Roger Hughes of Winnipeg ruled that an October 2006 order-in-council, issued by then-federal ag minister Chuck […] Read more
Ag groups propose bridge over funding gaps
Leading up to the expected launch of the federal and provincial governments’ latest ag policy framework, several of Canada’s general farm groups have relaunched a proposal for a new program to cover what they say are gaps in that framework. Originally proposed in November 2007, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s AgriFlex proposal would build on […] Read more
On-farm biodiesel research plant funded
Designed for research, a farm-scale oilseed processing and biodiesel plant at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown campus has picked up almost $940,000 in federal funding. Dave Van Kesteren, a southern Ontario MP, announced $938,260 in federal funding Friday for the facility, which will be operated in partnership with local soybean and pork producers to help […] Read more
Sask. workers reject Viterra offer: GSU
In a decision that may lead to a strike or lockout early next month, the Grain Services Union says a majority of its members at Viterra have now voted to reject the grain company’s offer for a new contract. The union reported Friday that a majority of members in its Saskatchewan maintenance and operations bargaining […] Read more
Saskferco for sale
The public and private owners of nitrogen fertilizer firm Saskferco are seeking a buyer for the Regina company. Investment Saskatchewan, a Crown investment corporation, and Minnesota phosphate and potash company Mosaic Co., formed in 2004 from a merger by IMC Global and Cargill Crop Nutrition, announced their plans Friday. “The sale of Saskferco will allow […] Read more
Egypt thwarts Agrium fertilizer venture
Egypt’s plans to relocate the “EAgrium” ammonia-urea joint venture project on that country’s Mediterranean coast are “not a viable option” for the Calgary fertilizer firm. And the company, which otherwise is enjoying record revenues due to high fertilizer demand worldwide, warned that it now might have to write off the US$280 million it’s invested in […] Read more
CWB program to offer delivery period options
Prairie farmers delivering wheat and durum to the Canadian Wheat Board can choose their delivery period under a new optional delivery system. Sign-up begins Aug. 1 for the CWB’s new GrainFlo program for the 2008-09 crop year, the board announced Thursday. “Farmers want more control over when they deliver their grain,” said CWB CEO Ian […] Read more
Sask. Stock Growers endorse single group
Members of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association will support the idea of a new umbrella group to represent Saskatchewan cattle producers. A resolution to support such a group, to be called the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association, got approval from SSGA members at the group’s annual meeting, which wrapped up Tuesday in Saskatoon. “The stock growers agreed […] Read more
Get ahead of anthrax exposure: CFIA
Last winter’s snowfall and wet conditions in parts of the Prairies may lead to exposed anthrax spores on pasture land, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency warned Wednesday. CFIA has already confirmed its first cases of anthrax this spring on a farm in the Rural Municipality of King George, southeast of Rosetown, Sask. The cases were […] Read more
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