Glacier FarmMedia – When plant breeders develop a new variety, the goal is a crop that is “the total package.” They want a high-yielding crop with superior disease resistance, tolerant of drought, with excellent end-use qualities and a long list of other traits. Kevin Murphy, a plant breeder at Washington State University, said breeders sometimes […] Read more
Plant breeder focuses on nutritional value
Researcher wins grant to study improving nutritional quality of barley, wheat, peas, lentils, quinoa and buckwheat
Alternative pork export markets soar as Chinese sales fall
Philippines, Mexico help offset large drop in shipments to China caused by COVID concerns and softer domestic demand
Glacier FarmMedia – Canada’s pork exports to China were $609 million in the first seven months of 2021. That sounds decent, but sales to China were $1.025 billion at the end of July in 2020, which means Canadian pork exports to China are down $400 million this year. In a normal year, a $400 million […] Read more
CO2 release test can help assess soil health
Soil health tests could become more common as governments and private industry try to reduce agricultural emissions
Glacier FarmMedia – American scientists have identified an accurate method to assess soil health. They found that the amount of carbon dioxide released, after wetting a sample of dry soil and letting it sit for one day, is an excellent measuring stick for soil health. Why it matters: A simple method to gauge soil health […] Read more
Vaccines not best option for African swine fever
Researcher: “The virus is so variable we can’t design a vaccine for all the genotypes”
Glacier FarmMedia – In the last three years, the African swine fever virus has killed millions of pigs and forced producers to cull tens of millions of pigs in China, Vietnam, Eastern Europe and elsewhere. In late July, the deadly virus was detected in the Dominican Republic, the first time it’s been in the Americas […] Read more
Momentum builds for Product of USA label
American cattle producers support the Biden administration as it forges ahead with ‘top to bottom’ review of meat labels
Glacier FarmMedia – It’s nearly a certainty that America will change its Product of the USA label for meat. President Joe Biden and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack seem determined to clear up confusion over the voluntary labeling program and make it easier to understand. In the first week of July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture […] Read more
Glyphosate limits may be increased
Pest management agency aims to harmonize Canadian levels with competitors
Glacier FarmMedia – In May, Health Canada proposed increasing the maximum residue levels of glyphosate for commodities such as oats, lentils, peas and beans. Canadians had 75 days to comment on the changes. The consultation period ended July 20. For certain crops, the proposed MRLs are higher than previous levels. Why it matters: Glyphosate is […] Read more
Farmers build dairy plant to avoid additives
Thunder Bay area producers address their own concerns about dairy quality
Glacier FarmMedia – Ten years ago, Wilma Mol was frustrated. She had noticed a decline in the quality of yogurt, ice cream and cheese at grocery stores, mostly because of what she attributes to additives in the dairy products. Why it matters: Specialized, natural or niche products are popular with consumers, providing an opportunity for […] Read more
Retiring Soy Canada head had storied career
Ron Davidson worked around the world, opening markets for Canadian products
Glacier FarmMedia – Few people have a Fidel Castro story. Ron Davidson has two. Davidson met Castro in the 1980s, when he traveled to Cuba with former agriculture minister Eugene Whelan. Davidson was working in a newly formed market development division in Agriculture Canada. He was responsible for expanding trade with Latin America and the […] Read more
Health Canada declares gene editing safe
The ruling is expected to give Canadian producers access to the same types of plant breeding available in other countries
Glacier FarmMedia – Canadian farmers may soon be growing gene-edited crops. That’s because Health Canada has declared that gene-editing technology is safe. Health Canada recently proposed new rules to oversee plant breeding innovation, including gene editing. Why it matters: Canada has lagged other countries in its regulations surrounding gene editing, which could have put Canadian […] Read more
How Farm Credit Canada became a major player in venture capital
The farm lender’s mandate now includes funding agri-food innovation
Glacier FarmMedia – In 2017 the Barton report said Canada has a massive opportunity to boost exports of agricultural commodities, agri-food and seafood. The most memorable part of the report, from the Minister of Finance’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth, set a target of adding $30 billion to Canada’s agriculture and agri-food exports by 2027. […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
