The process of registering a cattle operation for a premises ID number will change in several provinces as the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) updates its livestock tracking system’s traceback capability. The CCIA on Friday described the update to its Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS) database as a "significant" development, designed to help producers and […] Read more
Cattle tracking database updated for disease traceback
Seed capital seen growing for FNA fertilizer project
Midway through a 50-stop information blitz with 18 meetings across the Prairies in seven days, Farmers of North America (FNA) appears to see a strong show of support for its new project. The Saskatoon-based ag input buying group reports its farmer members have already bought more than 1,600 "seed capital units" — $1,000 investments in […] Read more
Man. officials weigh changes after biofuel processor burns
A spectacular fire that destroyed Manitoba’s first licensed commercial biodiesel plant has the province’s fire commissioner pondering changes to the way such facilities are inspected. Manitoba’s Office of the Fire Commissioner on Friday said it’s completed its investigation of the Oct. 1 blaze at Speedway International, in an industrial-zoned area of Winnipeg’s St. Boniface district, […] Read more
Energy reporting firm to buy Kingsman, boost biofuels role
Energy reporter Platts will use its purchase of consultancy Kingsman to strengthen its coverage of biofuels but will find it harder to use the acquisition to extend its business model into grains and oilseeds, market sources said on Friday. Platts, a division of McGraw-Hill, announced on Thursday it was acquiring the sugar and ethanol consultancy. […] Read more
Rooftop produce grower starts expansion drive
A Montreal "urban farming" business says it’s raised the funds it needs to expand its rooftop acreage in that city and expand its projects into Toronto and the U.S. Les Fermes Lufa, which operates what it calls the "world’s first rooftop commercial farm" in Montreal, said Tuesday it’s completed a $4.5 million financing drive to […] Read more
XL found lacking in E. coli documentation, beard nets
Under fire in the wake of XL Foods’ massive beef recall, Canada’s food safety watchdogs have gone public with the list of "corrective actions" they’ve ordered before the company’s Lakeside packing plant can reopen for business. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Friday released its corrective action requests (CARs) issued to the company following its […] Read more
Alta. to block developments on inactive oil wells
Alberta developers, who until now have been urged to steer clear of abandoned oil and gas wells when planning projects, will soon be told rather than asked. Amendments to the province’s Subdivision and Development Regulation, taking effect Nov. 1, will require permit applications from developers or municipalities to include information about whether abandoned wells are […] Read more
Manitoba biofuel processor’s plant destroyed
Years after becoming Manitoba’s first-ever licensed commercial biodiesel processor, Speedway International has picked up a new and unasked-for distinction. “This was one of the largest fires that (Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service) crews have attended with regards to number of firefighters and pieces of equipment used,” the WFPS said Tuesday after a second-alarm fire destroyed Speedway’s […] Read more
Richardson to boost West Coast port grain storage
Grain handler Richardson International has applied for permits to boost its Port Metro Vancouver terminal’s grain storage space by about two-thirds. The Winnipeg company, currently Canada’s second-biggest grain handler, said Monday it plans to build an 80,000-tonne capacity concrete grain storage annex at its Vancouver port site. After it takes down its current steel storage […] Read more
Two P.E.I. fields quarantined with potato wart
Two potato fields on separate farms on Prince Edward Island are under quarantine after the presence of potato wart was confirmed Thursday. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency didn’t say specifically where the fields are, nor whether they’re near where the wart fungus was discovered in separate cases in 2000 and 2007. On top of the […] Read more
