Saskatchewan has picked up federal government approval to start a targeted advance program (TAP) for hog farmers under the AgriStability program. TAP payments will provide hog producers with 60 per cent of their estimated 2007 benefit under AgriStability, the program that replaces the Canadian Ag Income Stabilization (CAIS) program’s coverage for margin declines of over […] Read more
AgriStability advances on tap for Sask. hog farmers
Professional sign-off needed on reclaimed Alta. oil land
Reclamation and remediation work on any Alberta land that hosted oil and gas operations now needs approval from an agrologist or other recognized professional. The province on Wednesday reminded landowners and oil and gas operators that starting Jan. 1, a member of one of six approved professional bodies must be involved in and sign off […] Read more
Consumers eating higher chicken prices: review
Canadian consumers appear to be “slowly adapting” to increases in both retail and wholesale prices for chicken, according to a chicken market year-in-review report by the George Morris Centre. The Guelph, Ont.-based farm think tank noted in its market review Wednesday that the 2007 average wholesale price for chicken is likely to hit a historical […] Read more
CWB launches CashPlus malting barley option
An upfront cash price of over $5 a bushel for Prairie malting barley would be on offer if the Canadian Wheat Board’s new cash-price contract option were available today, CWB brass announced Wednesday. The board floated its CashPlus program for malting barley Wednesday into almost two weeks’ worth of advance criticism, made before any particulars […] Read more
Agrium extends UAP offer
Fertilizer maker and input retailer Agrium has extended its offer to buy UAP while it waits for key green lights from U.S. and Canadian antitrust regulators. The US$39-per-share offer for UAP’s publicly traded common shares — an offer that was set to expire at midnight, Jan. 8 — is now extended to midnight ET, Jan. […] Read more
Better transportation first: pulse grower poll
A chemical company’s poll of Canadian pulse crop growers finds improving transportation to be the main issue with which they require help from the pulse industry. Syngenta Crop Protection Canada on Tuesday released the results of its online survey of 170 pulse growers, conducted Dec. 5-17. The poll showed campaigning for improved transportation to be […] Read more
Prairieland Park to add livestock space
Saskatoon’s Prairieland Park on Monday launched a $5.6 million plan to build dedicated space for livestock events and related trade shows. The planned 20,000-square foot building expansion will allow the park’s multi-building Trade Centre to be used exclusively as conference and trade show space, ending the costly down-time needed to set up multi-use buildings for […] Read more
Viterra names corporate development VP
An investment banker with experience in mergers and acquisitions is the new vice-president of corporate development for Canada’s biggest grain handler. Viterra on Monday announced Andrew Muirhead will lead the company’s “strategic business development and growth.” Muirhead, who starts immediately, will operate out of the company’s Calgary office. Muirhead was previously a vice-president and director […] Read more
Chicken plant fined over 2006 blast
A methane explosion that killed a worker at a southern Ontario chicken processing plant in 2006 led to a $150,000 fine for the company Monday. Sure Fresh Foods of Bradford pled guilty Monday in the Ontario Court of Justice in nearby Barrie to charges under the provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act. The April 7, […] Read more
Western Sask. water projects funded
The Saskatchewan and federal governments on Monday announced $2.3 million to support six water projects in western Saskatchewan, ranging from feasibility studies to the laying of supply pipes. The approved projects include five research projects and a regional pipeline project, all of which are either already underway or complete. Among them are: a review of […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
