AgWired

With farmers in the United States and Canada producing more food than we can collectively eat, exports and trade agreements help feed the system. In fact, those trade agreements are necessary for the survival of farmers, particularly in Canada.

John DePutter of Ontario writes how bilateral free trade agreements the U.S. is negotiating with Central and South American countries will put the Canadian pulse industry at a disadvantage in those markets. When ratified, bilateral pacts between the U.S. and Peru, Columbia and Ecuador will allow the U.S. to take advantage of tariff reductions of 15% to 30% on pea or lentil exports to those countries, said Greg Cherewyk of Pulse Canada. Read More

Researchers at the University of Manitoba are confident sophisticated computer modeling will help ensure the emissions from biomass fuelled heating systems meet acceptable environmental standards. The two-stage greenhouse gas displacement system, developed by Vidir Biomass Systems, uses large straw bales as fuel and relies on primary combustion followed by secondary combustion to get a complete burn.

As part of 620 thousand dollar Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council sponsored project, researchers will be developing computer models designed to evaluate emissions from the unit. University of Manitoba industrial research chair Dr. Eric Bibeau says the goal is to create an automated system to maintain optimal conditions during operation to minimize gaseous emissions. Renewable CO2 is not an emission. Read More