The U.S. federal Environmental Protection Agency approved the use of Canadian crops such as canola and corn in U.S. biofuels Thursday, in a move that lifted Canadian canola prices and may help the U.S. meet its ambitious targets for biofuels. The EPA's designation of Canadian crops as a renewable biomass will allow U.S. biofuel makers[...]
Canadian crops approved for U.S. biodiesel
Early canola samples show good quality: CGC
With the canola harvest nearly complete across Western Canada, the quality of what’s coming off the fields looks good, according to early samples received at the Canadian Grain Commission. With about a quarter of the expected samples in to date, “the quality is very good,” said Daryl Beswitherick, the CGC’s program manager of quality assurance. […] Read more
Industrial crop oils eyed for jet-engine biofuel
The economics of using camelina and carinata oils to brew up biofuel in Saskatchewan for jet aircraft will be the subject of a new study with federal backing. Ag-West Bio, a federally- and provincially-funded bioscience investment fund, will lead a study reviewing the possibilities for feedstock production, processing requirements and “potential commercial partners,” and “seamless” […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle shrug off recessionary fears
Feeder cattle prices across Western Canada were steady to $2 higher on average with stronger demand surfacing in the lighter weight categories. Pee-wee steer calves under 350 pounds sold for $186 per hundredweight (cwt) in central Alberta, which is near all-time record highs for any weight category. Black Angus-based age-verified steer calves averaging 528 lbs. […] Read more
Target to source dairy, dry groceries via Sobeys
U.S. retail giant Target will go shopping at Sobeys for the dairy goods, frozen foods and dry grocery products to be sold at Target stores in Canada starting in early 2013. Sobeys, a national grocery store chain owned by Nova Scotia-based Empire Co., announced a new long-term wholesale distribution deal Friday with Minneapolis-based Target that […] Read more
Prairie pea bids perk up, post-harvest
Edible pea bids in Western Canada are showing some post-harvest firmness, as line companies look to secure some supplies. “Things have definitely perked up a little bit, mainly driven by the line companies and their bulk conventional programs,” said Les Aubin of Walker Seeds at Tisdale, Sask. The peas were moving primarily to India and […] Read more
Farmers’ view of ag careers rosier than public’s: FCC
Canadian consumers are far less likely than producers to consider or encourage a career in agriculture, Canada’s federal ag lender finds in a new survey. Farm Credit Canada on Wednesday released results of a national survey of an “FCC Vision Panel” convened by polling firm Angus Reid in March. The survey, FCC said, paints a […] Read more
Seed Hawk to directly handle Australian sales
Seeding equipment manufacturer Seed Hawk will again directly manage its sales to Australia after its export partner announced plans to exit that market. Seed Hawk, based at Langbank in southeastern Saskatchewan, said Wednesday it will take over the sales administration of its products in Australia starting Jan. 1, 2012. Swedish farm equipment maker Vaderstad Verken,[...]
RCMP seek cattle auctioneer’s alleged abductor
A suspect in what’s alleged to be a botched abduction of prominent Alberta livestock auctioneer Blair Vold has been seen on candid cameras. RCMP at Ponoka, Alta., north of Red Deer, on Monday released new colour photos of a man allegedly trying to use Vold’s bank card at a CIBC branch at nearby Wetaskiwin. The […] Read more
Ornamental hort groups backed to draft promotional plan
Three major horticultural producer groups have picked up federal funding to assess the sector's environmental practices, with an eye toward a nationwide promotional plan. The Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Alliance (COHA), which includes the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, the Federation interdisciplinaire de l'horticulture ornementale du Quebec and Flowers Canada Growers, will get $457,000 from the Canadian[...]
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