Livestock breeding patent unites German farmers and environmentalists Tuesday, June 2, 2009 German farmers and environmentalists have something in common for once. Both groups object to a patent being granted on a gene that is linked to rapid growth in pigs. In a rare show of solidarity, 400 of them protested in front of the European Patent Office in Munich in mid-April. Their shared goal – to prevent a patent application for livestock breeding from being granted. The technique, described in Patent EP 1651777, is not a genetic modification, but a screening process to find and mate pigs that naturally grow fast. Farmers believe that eventually they might have to pay a private company a royalty to produce livestock they have raised themselves. Originally filed in the patent office in 2004 by Monsanto, the patent has since been granted to Newsham Choice Genetics. BP Pork campaign targets younger females Solutions to labour shortages may lie offshore
Using bats to protect crops and livestock Saturday, October 17, 2026 Just as Batman has been known to use live bats to thwart crime in Gotham City, B.C. farmers are invited to learn about employing bats to stop insects causing crop and livestock damage. The Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society and the BC Community Bat Program are hosting a free event... Read this article online
Sask. opens consultations on farmland law Friday, October 16, 2026 The Saskatchewan government is inviting farmers and others to take an online survey related to farm legislation. Until Nov. 30, Saskatchewanians can participate in the public consultation related to The Saskatchewan Farm Security Act, which covers multiple farm ownership... Read this article online
Canadian Tractor and Combine Sales Fall Sharply in September 2026. What It Says About Farmer Confidence Friday, October 16, 2026 Canadian farmers appear to be taking a measured approach to equipment purchases in 2026, as new machinery sales continued to weaken through September. According to the latest monthly "Flash Report" from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), total tractor sales in Canada... Read this article online
Women-Led Agriculture Businesses Get a Boost Friday, October 16, 2026 The Government of Canada is providing an additional $628,501 to Agricultrices du Québec to support women entrepreneurs in the agricultural and forestry sectors through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES). The funding will help women access business training, mentorship,... Read this article online
Mahindra and Clean Seed Unveil Zero-Till Seeding Solution Friday, October 16, 2026 Mahindra & Mahindra has begun commercial production and supply of the MaxSeeder, a precision zero-till, multi-crop seeding machine developed under license from Canadian company Clean Seed Technologies. The launch combines advanced planting technology with Mahindra’s manufacturing... Read this article online