When Mike Lee moved to Ukraine six years ago, he didn’t think he’d end up with a front-row seat to a conflict that could tip into outright war. Lee is an agronomist and agribusiness consultant hailing from the United Kingdom. He’s farmed, taught agriculture at Writtle College in the U.K., and consulted in other countries, […] Read more
Guenther: Tensions risk holding back Ukraine’s ag potential
Persistence key for market access to China, Vilsack says
San Antonio | Grainews –– Gaining market access to China may come down to persistence and patience, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters at Commodity Classic in San Antonio. Achieving market access to China has been easier said than done for the U.S. at times. China has turned back over 600,000 tonnes of U.S. […] Read more
Black Sea tensions stoke concerns over grain exports
Chicago | Grainews — Rising tension over increased Russian military presence in the Crimean peninsula has elevated concern in the western grain trade over exports in the near term. “The concerns about exporting wheat and corn definitely are a short-term issue here that could delay some of the shipments out of that region of the […] Read more
Cheerios maker not taking all products GM-free
General Mills still supports genetically modified (GM) technology, despite the food company’s move to market Cheerios as free of GM ingredients, a company representative told CropSphere delegates Tuesday in Saskatoon. “From General Mills’ perspective, we want to do what consumers are anticipating and wanting,” Steve Peterson responded when asked about the company’s GM-free Cheerios. Peterson […] Read more
Canada needs more basic science, says new institute head
An interview with Roger Beachy, executive director and chief executive officer of the Global Institute of Food Security
Reading Time: 3 minutes The University of Saskatchewan recently established the Global Institute of Food Security, and appointed Roger Beachy as executive director and chief executive officer. Over the last 40 years, Beachy has held several positions with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other research organizations. He also helped develop the first genetically modified food crop, a tomato […] Read moreGuenther: Dairy calves show benefits when raised socially
Cognitive development is a term more commonly heard in university psychology classes than agriculture research. But how a dairy calf’s brain develops has implications for housing systems. Whether farmers decide to house calves individually, in pairs or in groups, each housing system has its advantages. In the first few weeks of a calf’s life, most […] Read more
Guenther: A+W supplier seeking more ranchers
The Canadian supplier of A+W Canada’s “Better Beef” wants your cattle. Alberta-based Spring Creek Ranch, an operation known until now in farming circles mainly for its stewardship efforts, has become a featured player in the burger chain’s new promotions and is recruiting producers to help it fill A+W’s requirements at home. “There are many Canadian […] Read more
Claims for storm-damaged crops above average for Alta.
Many Alberta farmers were rocked by wild weather this summer, with overall claim activity 25 per cent above average, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association. The association’s latest report stated that although insurance companies saw more normal claim volumes from Alberta in August, storms struck southern Alberta early in the season. Central Alberta was […] Read more
Guenther: Late-season flea beetles are next spring’s problem
The growing season is winding down, but pest insects are still feeding in parts of the Prairies. Here’s an overview of what farmers, agronomists and entomologists are seeing in the fields — and what farmers can do about it. Late season flea beetles showing up Scott Meers and Shelley Barkley of Alberta Agriculture and Rural […] Read more
Hail tapers off on Prairies
Saskatchewan hail claims have slowed over the last two weeks, but some farmers were hit a second or third time this year, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association. An Aug. 5 storm nailed farmers in southeastern and southwestern Saskatchewan, netting hail claims from many communities, the insurers’ association report noted Monday. Farmers as far […] Read more
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