Rocky Mountain buys Peace-region Case dealer

A pair of Case IH farm equipment dealers in northwestern Alberta are set to build up the reach of Calgary’s Rocky Mountain Dealerships group in the Peace region. Publicly-traded Rocky Mountain on Thursday announced a deal to buy the Case IH dealership assets of Houlder Automotive, which runs dealerships at Grimshaw and Falher, 25 km […] Read more



Cattle tracking database updated for disease traceback

The process of registering a cattle operation for a premises ID number will change in several provinces as the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) updates its livestock tracking system’s traceback capability. The CCIA on Friday described the update to its Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS) database as a "significant" development, designed to help producers and […] Read more



Man. officials weigh changes after biofuel processor burns

A spectacular fire that destroyed Manitoba’s first licensed commercial biodiesel plant has the province’s fire commissioner pondering changes to the way such facilities are inspected. Manitoba’s Office of the Fire Commissioner on Friday said it’s completed its investigation of the Oct. 1 blaze at Speedway International, in an industrial-zoned area of Winnipeg’s St. Boniface district, […] Read more


Energy reporting firm to buy Kingsman, boost biofuels role

Energy reporter Platts will use its purchase of consultancy Kingsman to strengthen its coverage of biofuels but will find it harder to use the acquisition to extend its business model into grains and oilseeds, market sources said on Friday. Platts, a division of McGraw-Hill, announced on Thursday it was acquiring the sugar and ethanol consultancy. […] Read more

Rooftop produce grower starts expansion drive

A Montreal "urban farming" business says it’s raised the funds it needs to expand its rooftop acreage in that city and expand its projects into Toronto and the U.S. Les Fermes Lufa, which operates what it calls the "world’s first rooftop commercial farm" in Montreal, said Tuesday it’s completed a $4.5 million financing drive to […] Read more


XL found lacking in E. coli documentation, beard nets

Under fire in the wake of XL Foods’ massive beef recall, Canada’s food safety watchdogs have gone public with the list of "corrective actions" they’ve ordered before the company’s Lakeside packing plant can reopen for business. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Friday released its corrective action requests (CARs) issued to the company following its […] Read more

Alta. to block developments on inactive oil wells

Alberta developers, who until now have been urged to steer clear of abandoned oil and gas wells when planning projects, will soon be told rather than asked. Amendments to the province’s Subdivision and Development Regulation, taking effect Nov. 1, will require permit applications from developers or municipalities to include information about whether abandoned wells are […] Read more