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
Did you Know that Farmers are at higher Risk of Skin Cancer? Monday, May 12, 2025 As farmers are spending more time now outside in the sun, it is a good time to remind producers that May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. This month is all about teaching people how to prevent and spot skin cancer early. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United... Read this article online
Tips to Establish Strong Canola Stands While Trimming Cost Monday, May 12, 2025 Sponsored Content In its , Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada expects the area seeded to canola to decrease this season. Declining crop prices, steady input costs and weather stress that can reduce yield potential are at the root of fewer planted acres. In response, canola growers are... Read this article online
Alberta museum seeking donations to help with grain car transporation Monday, May 12, 2025 An Alberta museum is looking for donations to help it display a grain car it received through donations. The Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre Society is asking the public to chip in to help it bring a 1982 hopper to Nanton, Alta. The car started in Swift Current, Sask., and now... Read this article online
CGC license changes Monday, May 12, 2025 The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) recently had some licenses expire, and it issued two others. Last week, licenses expired for two companies. On May 5, Richardson Pioneer’s Vulcan 2 elevator in Alberta had a licence change. “Primary elevator licence no longer held,” the CGC’s... Read this article online
Protecting Plant Health Supports All Life Monday, May 12, 2025 Healthy plants are vital to the survival and well-being of people, animals, and nature. They clean the air, support biodiversity, and are the foundation of food and economic systems. On May 12, Canadians celebrate International Day of Plant Health. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)... Read this article online