Reading Time: 3 minutes Are biofuels really greener than the fossil fuels they displace? In a recent column I pointed out that electric cars are only as green as the fuel used to generate the electricity they consume. For internal-combustion-powered vehicles, much of the focus has been on trying to reduce carbon emissions by adding ethanol to gasoline and […] Read more
Biofuels are one of our greatest environmental blunders
Proponents of biofuels are simply refusing to count their true environmental cost
Perennial grain: It’s two — yes, two — crops in one
It’s been a decades’ long search, but researchers believe the finish line is in sight for a crop that can be both grazed and then harvested for its grain
Reading Time: 4 minutes As concerns grow over sustainability in modern farming, researchers are looking to the past in search of crops that can both meet the needs of farmers and consumers as well as the environment. Thinopyrum intermedium — commonly known as intermediate wheatgrass — is one of the fruits of that research. It’s been nearly three decades […] Read more
Jolene Noble hired as sustainability extension co-ordinator
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Farm Sustainability Extension Working Group has hired Jolene Noble of Manning to develop, co-ordinate, and implement an extension program to increase Alberta producers’ awareness of on-farm sustainability. “I look forward to contributing to these end goals by working with producers to bring awareness to social licence issues and highlighting on-farm best management practices,” said […] 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
Egg farmers releases sustainability report
Reading Time: < 1 minute Egg Farmers of Alberta has released its second annual Sustainability Report. The 2015 edition expands the amount and variety of metrics being reported on, and also sets a number of progressive targets. “Last year’s report set the stage by telling the story of where we’ve come from,” said Susan Gal, the organization’s general manager. “This year’s […] Read more
Funding available for beef sector in Alberta
The Livestock Welfare Delivery Agent Program promotes the use of best practices and technologies
Reading Time: < 1 minute Members of Alberta’s livestock sector can now apply for funding to promote the use of best practices and technologies that enhance productive capacity and maintain social licence for agri-food industries in the province. The Growing Forward 2 Livestock Welfare Delivery Agent Program is aimed at enhancing competitiveness in domestic and international markets by encouraging adaptability […] Read more
Wide range of speakers coming to canola meetings
Alberta Canola Producers Commission meetings will run from Nov. 17 to Dec. 1
Reading Time: < 1 minute Agronomy, marketing, and farm business management will be in the spotlight at Alberta Canola Producers Commission growing meetings next month. The commission has lined up 18 speakers, with four of them giving presentations at each of the dozen meetings being run from Nov. 17 to Dec. 1. ‘Creditor proofing,’ price protection strategies, global demand for […] Read more
Maple leaf touts sustainability efforts
Reading Time: < 1 minute Maple Leaf Foods has launched a new website — mapleleafsustainability.ca — to highlight the company’s efforts in the areas of animal care, nutrition, environmental impact and food security. “The issues are daunting, but as Canada’s largest protein company, we want to be at the leading edge of change,” said Maple Leaf CEO Michael McCain. The […] Read more
Environmental Farm Plan being streamlined
Changes sparked by study comparing the plan to three international sustainable sourcing standards
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Alberta Environmental Farm Plan is being streamlined as part of a process to better align the program with international sustainable sourcing standards for environmental practices. These improvements emerged from a recent comparative study conducted by Alberta EFP, Alberta Wheat Commission and Alberta Barley. The study compared the plan to three international sustainable sourcing standards — […] Read more
Consumers want sustainable beef, but defining that may be murky
CNS Canada –– McDonald’s plans on using sustainable beef by 2016, and intends on sourcing at least part of it from Canadian producers. The fast food giant’s latest step toward sustainability is to define what exactly that means. Defining sustainability is important, according to a beef brand officer, because in some cases it’s something consumers […] Read more
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