Reuters – Kazakhstan’s high stocks of wheat and imports of the grain from Russia will support supplies this season, analysts said, after drought in parts of the Central Asian nation reduced their estimates for the 2021 wheat crop. Kazakhstan, the top grain producer in Central Asia which usually starts harvesting in September, has been hit […] Read more
Drought-hit Kazakhstan’s wheat supplies bolstered by high stocks, Russian imports
France bans killing of male chicks
Reuters – France’s agriculture minister has announced a ban on the killing of male chicks by crushing or gassing, effective next year. The practice has been denounced as barbaric by animal welfare groups, and they will push for a similar measure at European level. Each year, 50 million male chicks are culled in this way, […] Read more
Dairy herd ID reporting enforced starting Sept. 1
The change is part of the traceability module for the proAction validation program
Compliance with the traceability requirements of the proAction dairy farming validation program should be straightforward if producers continue entering on-farm events in the nationwide database, says the organization in charge of administering the rules. “(proAction) validators will expect producers to have a traceability report on hand when they visit the farm,” said Melissa Hurst, DairyTrace […] Read more
Opinion: How Ontario’s livestock innovation system should change
LRIC studying five stages necessary for innovation
We hear a lot about innovation and how agriculture will be transformed in the coming years. The fact is that agriculture is in a state of continual transformation. Exactly where the livestock sector goes depends on how well the five stages of our innovation system work and interact. The five stages are funding, research priorities, […] Read more
Bipartisan U.S. bill aims to eliminate corn ethanol volume mandate
Reuters – A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced legislation on July 21 that would eliminate a national mandate requiring oil refiners to blend corn-based ethanol into their fuel mix – a proposal that would slam corn growers and is likely to face vehement opposition from the farm lobby. Republican Senator Pat Toomey from Pennsylvania and Democratic […] Read more
New research finds natural bacteria in corn may help against fusarium
Certain types of bacteria multiply in corn silk when exposed to fusarium
University of Guelph researchers have found corn silks naturally contain diverse microbes, a finding that may point to a new strategy to help protect cobs from fungal infections. Why it matters: The discovery may improve breeding and farming practices to avert costly and harmful fungal outbreaks. The study was led by Dr. Manish Raizada, a […] Read more
Industry-led Code of Conduct for retailers on horizon
Provincial agriculture ministers encourage industry collaboration to find solution
A report from the federal-provincial working group says the retail sector has levied an increasing number of fees on suppliers, and is proposing the formation of a code of conduct as a potential solution. Canada’s agriculture ministers are now calling on industry to lead the process. They formed the working group to study the issue […] Read more
Israel shakes up agriculture sector to cut produce costs
Reuters – Israel’s government has unveiled a plan to lower fresh produce costs by cutting customs duties and opening the sector to competition, potentially ending years of prices far above Western averages. The plan, which includes an aid package of direct and other support to Israeli farmers, is expected to save consumers 2.7 billion shekels […] Read more
3D printing grows in popularity
Greater knowledge of the technology’s capabilities and data-mapping process drives use by companies and individuals
The number of uses for 3D printing in the agriculture sector continues to grow as expired process patents, better materials and greater awareness of the technology allow more people to bypass traditional barriers and inefficiencies in parts manufacturing. Companies from many sectors have found 3D printing to be a cost-effective method of prototyping new parts […] Read more
Beef advised to play to its environmental strengths when sharing story
Consumers need to hear more about the positive relationship between beef and grasslands, experts say
As environmental concerns and social pressures prompt people to change buying behaviours, more products are under scrutiny, particularly beef. “Beef is one of our most beloved foods. From fast food to backyard barbecues to steakhouses, we have a relationship with beef that is deep and long-lasting,” said Bob Froese, chief executive officer of Bob’s Your […] Read more
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