Reading Time: 3 minutes The recently released “coexistence plan” for genetically modified alfalfa in Western Canada doesn’t offer any guarantees that conventional and organic crops won’t be contaminated, says an expert on gene transfer. “It really depends on what you’re trying to achieve,” said Rene Van Acker, a professor of plant science at the University of Guelph. “If it’s […] Read more
Coexistence plan for GM alfalfa won’t eliminate risk
Expert says stopping the spread of the glyphosate-tolerant trait is virtually impossible, but levels can be kept ‘very, very low’
Five Q and As on soil testing
Here’s what you need to know to make sure your plants have all the right nutrients
Soil testing will help you give your crop the best possible start. Dr. Jeff Schoenau, soil fertility expert at the University of Saskatchewan, delivered a free webinar on soil earlier this winter. Schoenau had answers to five common questions about soil testing and fertility.
Draft a plan before rejuvenating tired forage stand
Forage ecologist Mike Schellenberg offers his insights on how to reinvigorate pastures and boost productivity
Reading Time: 4 minutes “Five years to forever.” That’s a long time for a forage stand to be highly productive — and yet that’s the answer producers often give when asked how long they expect the benefits of rejuvenating pastures to last, said Mike Schellenberg, a range and plant forage ecologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at Swift Current, Sask.[...]Read more
Farm groups say even limited sale of GM alfalfa seed poses too high a risk
Farm groups say the release will begin a ‘spiral of uncertainty’ for producers and their customers
Reading Time: 2 minutes Fifteen Canadian farm groups have called on the federal agriculture minister to stop the sale of genetically modified alfalfa seed in this country. In a letter to Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay, the groups state they also want variety registration removed for all GM alfalfa until a full economic impact assessment is conducted. They are also[...]
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‘Coexistence plan’ for GM alfalfa released
Reading Time: 2 minutes The Canadian Seed Trade Association has released a “coexistence plan” for GM alfalfa production in Western Canada. “The plan does not advocate for or against the commercialization of GM alfalfa, or favour any one system,” the association stated in a news release. It also doesn’t “consider the potential impact of GM alfalfa hay on the[...]
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Eight tips to run your own crop trials
Do your own research instead of adapting other people's research to your farm
Every acre can be a research acre, said Nicole Philp to farmers at this years CropSphere in Saskatoon. Farmers interested in testing new products and practices can create powerful data sets with a little co-ordination, said Philp, a Canola Council of Canada agronomist. But how can you make sure you get good data out of[...]
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Roundup Ready alfalfa primed for launch in East
But critics of GM alfalfa say U.S. experience shows that ‘coexistence’ isn’t possible
Reading Time: 3 minutes Roundup Ready alfalfa is being launched on a limited basis in Canada’s six eastern provinces. Forage Genetics International (FGI) said late last month it will be releasing some HarvXtra alfalfa seed for planting this spring — but critics of GM alfalfa denounced the move, saying it’s “a myth” it won’t contaminate non-GM seed and hay[...]
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Counties say GM alfalfa not wanted here
Councillors and forage industry members concerned about potential loss of markets if GM alfalfa allowed in Alberta
Reading Time: 3 minutes Councillors from counties across the province have voted to keep genetically modified alfalfa out of Alberta until international markets become more accepting of the crop. At a meeting of the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC) earlier this month, 59 per cent of Alberta’s county councillors voted to keep the province free of[...]
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GM alfalfa may already be in Alberta
Accidental contamination of foundation seed heightens fears that forage and hay markets worth hundreds of millions are in peril
Reading Time: 7 minutes Genetically modified alfalfa has somehow made its way into Alberta — raising fears that western Canadian forage seed growers and hay exporters could be shut out of markets worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Alberta Farmer recently learned that a batch of foundation seed contaminated with Roundup Ready alfalfa was sent to a forage seed[...]
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Funding awarded for forage research projects
Reading Time: < 1 minute Seven projects were awarded funding through Alberta Beef Producers’ $1-million forage research call. They include breeding projects focused on forage wheat, hybrid brome with improved neutral detergent fibre digestibility, and production of oil in the vegetative tissues of legumes. Other projects are quantification of varietal and species differences (variety evaluation trials in multiple soil zones;[...]
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