News Archives

Sept. 28 -The process of mapping the genome of the potato has been completed by a team of more than 50 researchers from around the world, providing a starting point for subsequent research to develop better, more nutritious tubers.

Sept. 28 -The federal government is providing a boost to Husky Energy’s ethanol plant in Lloydminster, including $71.8 million in support under Ottawa’s EcoEnergy program for to help sustain biofuel production in a time of pricing volatility for feed stocks.

Sept. 28  -Industry watchers are expecting demand for potash to rebound gradually in China, Brazil and North America as the global economic picture improves and the pricing structure for potash stabilizes.

Sept. 24 -Canada’s federal government is investing in the country’s canola industry, to the tune of more than $6.0 million in three different projects, two of which are being carried out by the Canola Council of Canada, and a BioExtraction project to extract specific protein isolates.

The Government of Canada is investing $1.1 million in repayable funding to Radient Technologies, to provide microwave-assisted processing (MAP) technology that will extract valuable compounds from plants and create new markets for farmers.

Sept. 24 -An invasive weed species from the Southern US that is best known in agricultural circles as a prime host for Asian soybean rust, has been found near Leamington, Ontario. The mainstream media is hyping it as "The Vine that ate the South." However, as pointed out –albeit late in one report –the plant is unlikely to survive Canadian winters.      

Sept. 23, 2009 -A study to determine the viability of supply management for the Ontario hog sector has revealed it would require the provincial industry to downsize by 43 to 58 percent, as well as overcome several significant hurldes, including international trade and tariff issues.

Sept. 23, 2009 -Statistics Canada reports the prices farmers received for their products fell a total of 12.2 percent in July this year, compared to the same month in 2008, with crop prices down 18.7 percent while livestock (except dairy and poultry) fell 3.3 percent.

A story last weekend in the Winnipeg Free Press covers research into the spending habits of Canadians, and found that while consumers spent an average of $6.01 more for their groceries, farmers received 86 cents less for their efforts, with the so-called "middleman" receiving $6.87 more.