TRICKY TALKS AWAIT NEW NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER GREG RICKFORD

Source: The Globe and Mail
Greg Rickford will need to call on all his experience working with First Nations to resolve some of the toughest roadblocks in the Conservative government’s plan for energy and mining development. The 46-year-old MP from Kenora, Ont., was appointed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Wednesday to replace Joe Oliver as Natural Resources Minister. Awaiting him are brewing resource battles in British Columbia and Ontario that are both economically important and fraught with political risks for the government heading into the next election. (read more)

COULD OUR FOOD SUPPLY BE A TARGET FOR TERRORISTS?

Source: NPR
It sounds like the plot of a Hollywood blockbuster: Villains bent on chaos set their sights on a food company – an easy target – with plans to lace its products with a chemical or pathogen. The hero finds out in time to save the day. Sound far-fetched? Not according to U.S. regulators who have been pondering such scenarios. (read more)

12,000 FARMED SALMON DIE IN POWER FAILURE

Source: The Chronicle Herald
About 12,000 market-ready salmon died after a weekend power failure at the Sustainable Fish Farming (Canada) Ltd. land­based aquaculture site in Centre Burlington, Hants County, N.S., an official said Tuesday. “It is a bitterly disappointing setback for our undertaking as we were about to deliver these sal­mon to customers,” chief execut­ive officer Kirk Havercroft said in an interview. (read more)

UPDATE ON AQUACULTURE REGULATION REVIEW

Source: Coastal Coalition of Nova Scotia
The Doelle-Lahey Panel has been tasked with recommending a new regulatory framework for all forms of aquaculture in the province. The Roundtable process has produced a list of issues/elements that it feels need to be addressed in a new regulatory framework. The elements were discussed by the Roundtable at its February 13-14 meeting and an attempt is underway to identify areas of common interest. The Roundtable will prepare a report of its recommendations to the Panel members Professors Meinhard Doelle and William Lahey. (read more)

TRURO STARTUP WEEKEND AGRI-FOOD

Source: NSFA
o you have an idea that may solve a problem for farmers or food consumers? Maybe you can think of a new way to market lamb or to make money from culled fruit? Perhaps it’s an application to track farm employee hours and productivity? Or, maybe you simply have skills you want to apply to help advance innovative ideas for the local agri-food industry? Register by March 23 to secure your seat! (read more)

CALL FOR PROPOSALS: FOOD SECURE CANADA’S 8TH ASSEMBLY

Source: Food Secure Canada
No matter where you stand in the food system or the food movement, we want to hear from you! Co-hosted with the Food Action Research Centre (FoodARC) in collaboration with ACORN and the NS Food Security Network, Canada’s food movement will gather in Halifax this year for its biennial feast of food and ideas – the first in Atlantic Canada! November 13-16, 2014 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. (read more)

ACHIEVING OPTIMUM PASTURE RESULTS

Source: Ont. Ministry of Agriculture and Food
It is at the beginning of the pasture season that you can take the steps to optimize pasture performance on your farm. Pasture is the lowest cost feed source available, and the opportunity for improved production is significant on most farms. A well-managed pasture will be very competitive with any other crop use that you might consider for that land base if the forage and livestock are both well managed with a good rotational system. (read more)

GM CROPS: UK SCIENTISTS CALL FOR NEW TRIALS

Source: BBC
A new report on genetically modified (GM) crops, commissioned by the prime minister, calls for more UK field trials and fewer EU restrictions. The Council for Science and Technology (CST) wants “public good” GM varieties to be grown and tested in the UK. It says GM crops should be assessed individually – like pharmaceuticals – taking potential benefits into account. (read more)

FUNDING AIMS TO HELP PRODUCERS ENHANCE BUSINESS SKILLS

Source: FCC
Farm Management Canada (FMC) has received over $4 million to help them strengthen producers’ business skills and build farm management capacity. A federal news release states FMC will use the funds to deliver leading-edge resources and tools through various print and online channels and by working with provincial and territorial governments and with industry to identify and fill gaps in farm business development information and resources. The investment is made through Growing Forward 2’s AgriCompetitiveness program. (read more)

INCOME TAX TIME ON THE FARM

Source: ThinkFarm
Tax Time on the Farm, a ThinkFarm workshop, will be held on Monday, March 24 from 6-9 pm in Berwick and on Tuesday, March 25 from 6-9 pm in Bible Hill. This workshop was designed for beginning farmers who don't work with an accountant but reports from the pilot offerings in Cape Breton are that it would be useful for farmers at any business stage, including those who work with a bookkeeper or accountant. The registration fee is $11.50 ($10+HST). (read more)

WHO SAYS FOOD PORN HAS TO BE DOMINATED BY JUNK FOOD?

Source: NPR
It’s one of our guiltiest pleasures on the Internet, and though some of us may not like to admit it, chances are, we’ve done it. Some are even addicted. That's right, we’re talking about the endless consumption and distribution of food porn. Photos of fatty foods like grease-laced bacon and glistening donuts abound to satisfy our virtual cravings, yet their healthier counterparts – fruits and veggies – just haven’t been getting as much love online. But why should the junk food guys have all the fun? (read more)

IRVING MILL TO GET UPGRADE A DAY AFTER NEW BRUNSWICK LIFTS SOFTWOOD CAP

Source: The Globe and Mail
 Irving Pulp and Paper is planning to spend about $450 million to modernize a mill in Saint John, making the announcement a day after the New Brunswick government lifted a cap on the amount of softwood it will make available to the forestry industry from Crown land. (read more)

EPA’S PROPOSED RULES ON WATER WORRY FARMERS

Source: NY Times
Water rarely flows in one of the streambeds – it really seems to be little more than a small ditch – that Dean Lemke points out to a visitor on his 800-acre farm in Dows, Iowa. “I wouldn’t even call it a stream,” he said. “There is only water flow in it when it rains.” (read more)

TALK MUST LEAD TO ACTION ON FARM SAFETY

Source: UFCW Canada
The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) have set the theme as “Let’s Talk About It.” Yet, once again these two industry lobby groups have excluded from the conversation direct calls for legislative and regulatory safety provisions for the agriculture sector. It is a fatal and shameful exclusion in the face of the facts the industry and governments are well aware of. (read more)

BULLS ALL AROUND: GOOD NEWS FOR CATTLE PRODUCERS

Source: Agriculture.com
Is the cattle cycle swinging back around to the high side? Recent record-high cattle prices will likely start making that happen soon, says one longtime livestock economist. It’s been a while since cattle herd numbers have been as low as they are now; more than 60 years to be exact, according to Purdue University Extension ag economist Chris Hurt. Specific to the beef herd, it's at its smallest since 1962 and in the seventh year of the most recent downturn in numbers. (read more)

MINISTER OLIVER CALL CANADA A 21ST CENTURY ENERGY SUPERPOWER

Source: Natural Resources Canada
The Honourable Joe Oliver, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, today attended the East Coast Energy Conference where he delivered a speech highlighting the Canada-U.S. energy relationship and Canada’s enormous potential as an energy superpower. During his address, Minister Oliver emphasized Canada’s interest in enhancing North American energy security, jobs, and environmental protection. (read more)

OHIO LOOKS AT WHETHER FRACKING LED TO TWO QUAKES

Source: NY Times
Ohio officials said Tuesday that an oil and gas well near the site of two small earthquakes was undergoing hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, when the quakes occurred. The State Department of Natural Resources ordered work halted at the well and six others in Poland Township, near the Pennsylvania border, on Monday after the two earthquakes earlier in the day. The quakes, of magnitude 2.6 and 3.0, caused no damage or injuries but were felt in nearby towns. (read more)

SMALL STUDY SAYS MILK NO HELP FOR LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

Source: LA Times
A pilot study failed to show something many people believe – that drinking raw milk reduces the symptoms of lactose intolerance or malabsorption. The condition is common worldwide, and can lead to bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. But the specific prevalence of lactose intolerance is not known, the researchers from Stanford University said. (read more)

FRACKING “COULD HARM WILDLIFE”

Source: BBC
Fracking has the potential to devastate wildlife habitats across the UK, says research commissioned by leading wildlife and countryside groups. The report Are We Fit to Frack? was launched by six organizations including the National Trust and the RSPB. It was reviewed by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and is supported by a cross party group of MPs. (read more)

P.E.I. WELCOMES PROGRESS ON CANADA-SOUTH KOREA FREE TRADE

Source: P.E.I. Dept. of Innovation and Advanced Learning

 The Government of Prince Edward Island welcomes progress on free trade between Canada and South Korea, says Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning Allen Roach. “In recent years, Prince Edward Island has seen growth in its trade with the Korean market and this will only be helped by the recently signed trade agreement,” said Minister Roach. “During our recent trade mission to Korea, I was struck by the opportunities for Prince Edward Island to do business in their marketplace. The agreement will further open doors for businesses from every sector of our economy.” (read more)