Proposals to increase a crop chemical’s maximum residue limits (MRLs) on foods and food crops in Canada can again seek federal approval, after being put on temporary hold two years ago. Among several other changes, a planned new package of federal regulatory amendments will put a gradual end to a “pause” imposed in August 2021 […] Read more
Tag Archives biodiversity
Feds lift ‘pause’ on increases in crop chemical MRLs
New set of rules also calls for 'cosmetic' pesticide use to be banned on federal lands
Feds open up consultations for sustainable ag strategy
Producer groups to have reps on advisory committee
The federal government has enlisted farm groups on the ground floor of consultations toward development of a long-term strategy to “amplify” the adoption and use of sustainable practices in agriculture over the next year. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on Dec. 12 announced the launch of public consultations on strategy development, running from now through March […] Read more
One-third of China’s land protected under ecological ‘red line’ scheme
Authorities crack down on farm encroachment
Shanghai | Reuters — Nearly a third of China’s land is now off-limits to development under a scheme known as the “ecological protection red line,” a senior official said at a news briefing on Monday, bringing the country in accord with global biodiversity targets. China first proposed its “red line” scheme in 2011 to put […] Read more
AMP grazing no better for plant diversity than less intensive methods, U of A study finds
For ranchers counting on boosting plant diversity through intensive rotational grazing, a recent study may yield disappointing results. Jessica Grenke, a PhD student at the University of Alberta’s department of biological sciences, found through an observational study that highly intensive rotational grazing does not benefit plant diversity more than less-intensive rotational grazing. “This is not […] Read more
Building biodiversity on agricultural lands
From the Ground Up with Steve Kenyon
Nature works in whole systems. There are millions of symbiotic relationships that coexist in a single ecosystem. Yet every ecosystem also interacts and relies on the other ecosystems around it. The aquatic ecosystem has a dynamic interaction with the riparian area ecosystem which interacts with the uplands ecosystem which relates to the woodland ecosystem. We […] Read more
Let’s talk about sex
Grazing with Steve Kenyon
Our agriculture industry is based on reproduction. Livestock need to reproduce and plants need to reproduce. It’s what we do. It’s pretty simple, right? In livestock production, we spend a great deal of time and money on genetics. Which bull to buy, which heifers to keep, and which cows to cull. (The same is true for all […] Read more
Water and fire dominate BCCA meeting
Associations: News Roundup from the August 2018 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Concerns about biodiversity and balancing resources were among the issues voiced by the members of the British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association at its 2018 annual general meeting. Newly elected BCCA president Larry Garrett says topics such as disappearing grasslands, water scarcity and using grazing to minimize wildfire risk came to the forefront during the meeting, held […] Read more
Making hay of environmental goods and services
Researchers wrestle with turning an abstract concept into concrete profits for producers
If you were to ask most cattle producers about the goods and services their grasslands provide, it might seem like an obvious question. Most would say that quality forage promotes the health of their cattle, provides high-quality protein and boosts their bottom line. Others might talk about how their grazing practices promote biodiversity and overall […] Read more
France moves toward all-out ban on neonics
Paris | Reuters — French lawmakers approved plans for a total ban on some widely used pesticides blamed for harming bees, going beyond European Union restrictions in a fierce debate that has pitched farmers and chemical firms against beekeepers and green groups. The EU limited the use of neonicotinoid chemicals, produced by companies including Bayer […] Read more
Are you a good steward of the land?
In agriculture, we pride ourselves on our lifestyle. We are ranchers or farmers and we view ourselves differently than our urban cousins. We take credit for being “Stewards of the Land.” We harvest what we sow and work with nature to feed the world. This all sounds warm and fuzzy, but I think that this […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
