Enrolment opens for CWB’s new-crop programs

The sign-up period is officially underway for wheat, durum and malting barley growers wanting to get in on the refurbished CWB’s new-crop pool and cash contracts. On March 29 the CWB opened the new-crop pools and programs for the 2012-13 crop year, which begins August 1. “Farmers can rely on the CWB to provide them […] Read more

How to build weath

Andy Sirski explains how you can build wealth with lots of money and no knowledge, or a little money and lots of knowledge

Long time Grainews readers know I left home with almost no money and no knowledge about how to make money work for me. I had to learn this as I went through life, worked at a busy job, helped raise five children and planned for retirement with no guaranteed pension. We’re comfortable, so I think […] Read more


Nancy Edwards: keen for the challenges of wheat research

When Nancy Edwards, a biological technology grad from Red River Community College, joined the Grain Research Lab as a technician in 1976, little did she know that one day she would be the scientist responsible for the lab’s bread wheat research group. Edwards went on to achieve her PhD in Food Science in 2002, thanks […] Read more

Quality assurance through world-class research stands the test of time

The Canadian Grain Commission’s Grain Research Laboratory has been assessing and improving the quality of Canadian crops for more than nine decades

The bright blue paint on the Allis Chalmers roll stands looks conspicuously out of place among the gleaming modern metal in the pilot-scale flour mill on the 16th floor of the CGC Grain Research Lab. Miller Dave Turnock thinks they are about 80 years old and have also seen duty at the lab’s former location […] Read more



Fair treatment for Western farmers began 100 years ago

It was more than a century ago but bitter conflict between farmers and the early western Canadian grain industry still resonates in the childhood memories of old-timers like Harvey English. “It was highway robbery. That’s what it was in those days,” says English, 94. “They were just stealing everything off the farmer that they could […] Read more


CGC guarantees Canadian grain quality worldwide

Quality assurance makes Canadian grain superior

The owner of Singapore’s largest bakery chain sits in a high-rise office tower gazing out over the world’s busiest ocean port. Any day now, a ship carrying wheat from Canada is scheduled to arrive and unload its cargo for milling. The baker is already planning his production and quality-control program for months ahead, based on […] Read more

MARKING A CENTURY OF SERVICE

On April 1, 2012, the Canadian Grain Commission celebrates its 100th anniversary. The employees of the Canadian Grain Commission join with me in thanking the hardworking staff at Grainews for producing this publication to commemorate a century of service. To survive a century is quite an achievement. But our longevity is not what is noteworthy, as you […] Read more


Ranching is a dirty, tiring business

I don’t get much chance to vaccinate cattle or do much else around the farm any more, so when I do I make a point of letting people know just so they don’t assume I am only a pretty face, who happens to be an incredible writer, too. Yes, I am back at my desk […] Read more

Grazing corn

I’ll say it right up front. The 2011 crop year didn’t start on the right foot. We were in trouble before we even got started. They say a little adversity builds character, but I’ve got enough character. Here’s to a normal growing year in 2012. April 30, 2011 delivered a healthy dump of wet heavy snow. Just what […] Read more


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