Average sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies for the week centred on June 1. Anomalies based on weekly means for 1981-2010 base period. (CPC.ncep.noaa.gov)

La Nina effect in U.S. may not spill onto Prairies

CNS Canada — As the El Nino weather event of 2015-16 gradually fades into memory, most weather forecasters say it’s slowly being replaced by its cousin, La Nina. The La Nina phenomenon usually happens when water temperatures along the equator in the Pacific Ocean fall by 3 to 5 C. According to Drew Lerner of […] Read more

A full-time commitment to stewardship

A full-time commitment to stewardship

The transition from a tobacco farm to Texas Longhorn ranch in southern Ontario’s foremost tobacco-growing region wasn’t without turmoil for Cathy and Bryan Gilvesy, but the rewards far outweighed regrets as they reinvented the farm to better reflect their philosophies on agriculture and life. The latest material reward came in the form of Ontario’s environmental […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Prairie forage crops perk up with precipitation

CNS Canada — It’s been a slow start for forage crops growing across the Prairies, but the much-needed precipitation is better late than never. “The rain has been a huge help,” said Karin Lindquist, forage specialist with Alberta’s Ag-Info Centre in Stettler. “There are still some areas that could use a bit more, but so […] Read more

The Collins Bay Institution at Kingston, Ont. includes maximum, medium and minimum security facilities for up to 720 male inmates. (CSC-scc.gc.ca)

Ottawa plans study for new Kingston prison farm

The federal government is set to run a study reconsidering the previous administration’s decision to shut farming operations at federal penitentiaries. Following up on a Liberal campaign pledge, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) announced plans Thursday for a feasibility study including both in-person and online consultations with stakeholders and the public. Specifically, CSC said […] Read more



(Bayer.com)

Bayer secures loan facility to fund Monsanto bid

Reuters — German drugs and crop chemicals group Bayer, which has made a US$62 billion bid for U.S. seeds company Monsanto, has secured a 60 billion-euro (C$87.75 billion, or US$66.9 billion) loan facility, business journal Handelsblatt reported Thursday. The loan facility can be expanded up to 75 billion euros (C$109.68 billion, or US$83.62 billion), the German […] Read more



(MyFarmShow.com)

CONTEST CLOSED: Free to good home: Farm Progress tickets

Editor’s Note: Well, that escalated quickly. The contest is now closed; all our Farm Progress Show passes are now spoken for and will be in the mail shortly. If you’ve entered the contest and won tickets, expect to hear from us by email. If your entry arrived a little too late or if you’re just […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

Saskatchewan names new deputy ag minister

A promotion for Saskatchewan’s deputy minister of agriculture leads to a promotion for one of the ministry’s assistant deputies. Doug Moen, who’s leaving his post as deputy minister to Premier Brad Wall at the end of June, on Friday announced Rick Burton as the province’s new deputy minister of agriculture, effective July 1. As the […] Read more

CCA Report: The pressing issues of beef and forage research, traceability

CCA Report: The pressing issues of beef and forage research, traceability

From the May 2016 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Research plays an integral role in achieving a competitive Canadian beef sector. In addition to investment in research and research infrastructure, other key factors include fully funding programs that help producers manage risk, investing in infrastructure, securing access to high value and growing markets, Canada’s regulatory operating environment, and ensuring access to sufficient labour. The […] Read more