By Harry Siemens / Farmscape.ca — While those who support the Canadian Wheat Board would have producers believing the drop in barley and even wheat acres has to do with weather and other such things, but there are those who actually think it has to do with economics. A researcher with the University of Saskatchewan told Bruce Cochrane at …
The good with the bad in the Alberta hog industry
With the processing and packing industry re-settling after Maple sells one plant in Ontario and closes another in the Maritimes, it also makes good sense to see what is happening in Western Canada. Maple Leaf, and as they said they would way back when they announced their restructuring is placing most of its eggs in the Brandon, Mb plant. That …
Delmar Commodities May Need More Quality Feed Grain
Harry Siemens – Feed specialists and researchers are advising Manitoba hog producers to monitor feed quality and watch the performance of their herds to avoid any problems associated with fusarium head blight-infected feed grains.
Preliminary Research Suggests Bright Future for Solid Manure Injection
Harry Siemens / Farmscape – Research conducted by the University Saskatchewan suggests a promising future for solid and semi-solid livestock manure fertilizer injection technology. Researchers with the university’s Department of Crop Science have released preliminary results of a three year study examining the agronomic and environmental implications of solid manure injection. The study, which began in the spring of 2007, …
Here’s What’s Wrong with the Canadian Wheat Board’s Monopoly
Siemens Says – This is why Farmers Must Vote to elect Marketing Choice candidates in the upcoming CWB board directors’ elections because Freedom of the Press is at stake. . The Canadian Wheat Board has refused my registration on two CWB media events, effectively banning me from covering, reporting, and commenting on the Wheat Board’s activities from a point of view …
Manitoba Ban on Swine Expansion Expected to Discourage Environmentally Friendly Farming
Harry Siemens – The Manitoba Chamber of Commerce warns the province’s proposed ban on swine industry development in eastern Manitoba will discourage the adoption of new technologies designed to make hog farming more environmentally friendly. Bill 17, the Manitoba Environment Amendment Act, which bans swine barn construction or expansion in most of eastern Manitoba, passed the Manitoba Legislature on Wednesday, September …
MCOOL will take some time to sort out
Harry Siemens / Farmscape – North American pork producers, processors, and retailers continue to prepare for the introduction of the mandatory country of origin labeling which took affect officially on September 30, 2008. Saskatchewan Pork Development Board policy analyst Mark Ferguson believes U.S. processors and retailers will determine the impact of the new labelling requirements on Canadian pork producers. “Although …
Cavena Nuda Oats yields well for New Bothwell Producer
Harry Siemens – Uli Gehrer is one of a small group of producers who has invested time and money in diversifying into raising a new naked oats variety called Cavena Nuda on his farm near New Bothwell. While these growers had enough seed to plant nearly 1,500 acres, Gehrer has 460 acres on his farm while the total amount is …
The Perfect Storm Changes Directions
The light at the end of the tunnel for cattle and hog producers appears to have changed from a train to small ray of hope. It’s no consolation for producers exiting prematurely or involuntarily for various reasons. However, Jim Long, President of Genesus Genetics lists a couple of ‘I Told-You-So’s in his most recent pork commentary that I happen to …