Danger from foaming manure pits Tuesday, June 5, 2012 According to the University of Minnesota Extension Service, foaming in swine manure pits "has become a serious safety concern" in the last few years. Foaming fills pits, reducing manure capacity but also trapping explosive methane gases. Farmers are urged to turn off pilot lights and maintain full ventilation during pumping. Fans should run even when pigs are removed.Despite the thousands of pig barns with manure pits in the American Midwest, there have been only six reported explosions since the foam began appearing in 2009. But, though it doesn't happen often, when it does it is a disaster.According to the Minnesota Daily in February, researchers are looking at whether a "new breed of bacteria" in manure pits might be related to the use of Distillers Dried Grains from ethanol production in pig feeds. Organizations opposed to "factory farming" and ethanol use have already jumped to this conclusion in their own reports published on websites.The Minnesota Daily report notes that researchers think the answer is likely not that simple. Chuck Clanton, a University of Minnesota bioproducts and biosystems engineering professor, points out that sometimes there are two identical barns, side by side with the same management, genetics and diet. "One foams and one does not." BP Wild pig 'nonsense' in Michigan Behind the Lines - June 2012
Can the agriculture sector in Ukraine be restored? Thursday, September 19, 2024 5 Strategies that could help rebuild Ukraine agriculture Since the full-scale invasion began, Ukraine’s agricultural sector has faced immense losses, with damages surpassing $10 billion. This includes the destruction of machinery worth $5.8 billion and losses to livestock farms... Read this article online
North West Terminal idles grain elevator in Unity, Sask. Thursday, September 19, 2024 A grain handler in Saskatchewan is no longer in operation. In a Sept. 18 letter posted to its website, North West Terminal (NWT) announced it is idling its grain elevator near Unity, Sask., due to financial challenges. NWT started what it calls a “strategic review process” last August... Read this article online
New transport minister in small cabinet shuffle Thursday, September 19, 2024 tom:11px">A small cabinet shuffle in Ottawa on Thursday will result in a new federal transport minister. Current Treasury Board President Anita Anand is set to add the transport minister portfolio to her workload, CTV News and the Star have reported. This move comes after former... Read this article online
$18.4M Boost for Canadian Cereal Grain Innovation Thursday, September 19, 2024 Gate Project Receives Major Funding for Research Canada's position as a pioneer in cereal grain research is set to strengthen with the Gate Capital Campaign raising $18.4 million. This funding will support the Global Agriculture Technology Exchange (Gate) initiative, a project... Read this article online
Prairie ag organizations join Global Agriculture Technology Exchange Wednesday, September 18, 2024 Three ag organizations from western Canada have announced their involvement to help position Canada as a world leader in cereal grains. Alberta Grains, the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission and the Manitoba Crop Alliance are contributing more than $13 million towards the Global... Read this article online