Global agriculture: Impending threats to biodiversity

SCIENCE NEWS

Wine crops in Chile. A dreamstime photo.

A new study finds that expanding cropland to meet growing food demands, 
poses a far greater threat to biodiverity in the tropics than intensification. More here.

Corn-farming fouls the air to fatal effect

Nature - Agriculture

Harvesting corn in Canada. A PinP photo.

The dominant US crop plant has a voracious appetite for fertilizer, which leads to air pollution and health problems. More here.

Farmed Out

George Monbiot's view from the U.K, here.

Rivers in the Sky: How Deforestation Is Affecting Global Water Cycles

Yale Environment 360

Producing charcoal in the rainforest.
By User Kelberul on de.wikipedia 

A growing body of evidence indicates that the continuing destruction of tropical forests is disrupting the movement of water in the atmosphere, causing major shifts in precipitation that could lead to drought in key agricultural areas in China, India, and the U.S. Midwest. Story here.

Drought predicted for Alberta this summer

The Western Producer

Farmers in central and northern Alberta should brace for drought this summer, according to AccuWeather. Story here.

Crop destroying caterpillar rapidly spreading across Africa; maize production endangered

AgroNews

New research announced by scientists at CABI (Center for Agriculture and Bioscience Information) confirms that a recently introduced crop-destroying armyworm caterpillar is now spreading rapidly across Mainland Africa and could spread to tropical Asia and the Mediterranean in the next few years, becoming a major threat to agricultural trade worldwide. Story here.

Manitoba "crop-duster." PinP photo.

Are the Days of Some Farm Fertilizers Numbered, in The Battle to Fight Global Warming?

Manitoba Co-Operator

But soil scientist Mario Tenuta says there are things farmers can do to help themselves.

More here.                                                    

PinP photo.

Seeds of Corporate Power vs Farmers’ Rights

Foreign Policy in Focus

We need to start tilting the playing field back in favour of farmers and the environment. Story here.

Hutterite Colony in Alberta, Canada Blazes Antibiotic-Free Trail

AlbertaFarmer

A hog barn in Israel. Shpernik088
You don’t have to sacrifice productivity or compromise health standards by going antibiotic free, say swine managers at Spring Creek Hutterite Colony. Story here.

First Nations Were First Farmers in Manitoba

MANITOBA CO-Operator

U of M students search site for historical artifacts. Story here.

RELATED: "Is Modern Agriculture Threatening Traditional First Nations Food and Medicine?"(Story & Video)

NFU To Be Part of Climate Change Solutions in Manitoba

National Farmers Union

National Farmer Union (NFU) is working with the Manitoba government to develop new ways for the province’s farmers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, and to reduce the impacts of climate change on our farms. More here.

Get Ready For More ‘Weather Whiplash’

Manitoba Co-Operator

Unlike other regions, Manitoba may be able to benefit from climate change. Story here.

These were the soggy fields we drove by on Victoria Day last year, on the Trans Canada Highway west of Portage La Prairie (smack-dab in the middle of planting season): torrential rains most likely made worse by climate change. Does this look like the kind of weather that will "benefit" farmers? PinP video.

Free Trade Places the Future of Rice Farming in Japan in Doubt

bilaterals.org

Rice has been at the centre of Japan’s economy and culture for centuries. But changes are afoot. There is growing concern among Japanese farmers that the country’s rice-producing capabilities are diminishing in the face of international trade pacts such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership. In fact, all local agriculture is in the spotlight as pressure mounts to increase local imports of overseas produce. Details here.

Want to Find Out How to Invest in Sustainable Agriculture? Read On!

Earth Institute

Increased investment in agriculture is critical. In a world confronting anticipated increases in food demand arising from a growing world population and changing diets, as well as potential decreases in food supply due to climatic changes and water scarcity, agricultural investment will prove crucial to addressing food security needs in the future. Story here.                   

Two huge tractors and seeders,  probably worth about $2M, stand ready to begin work in Manitoba, Canada. PinP photo.

Wildrose Leader Brian Jean is opposing same changes protecting farm workers he once agreed with

PRESSPROGRESS

It sounds like Brian Jean is flip flopping once again.

The leader of Alberta's Wildrose Party has been making hay over Bill 6 lately, new legislation that seeks to correct Alberta's potentially unconstitutional labour laws by extending Workers' Compensation Board coverage to paid farm workers and bringing workplace safety up to par with other Canadian provinces.

"What goes around comes around," Jean recently told one rally opposing these changes.

Funny thing about that, mind you – Jean didn't seem to think the proposed WCB changes he's currently opposing were such a bad idea eight months ago. MORE HERE.

Tech-Savvy Indian Women Farmers Find Success With "Sim Cards."

INTER PRESS SERVICE

MAHABUBNAGAR, India: “My profits have increased from 5,000 to 20,000 rupees (80-232 dollars) each season,” declares  a smallholder farmer participating in a mobile technology scheme to create awareness among rural women. Story here.

The National Farmers Union is a Voice Canadian Farmers Need — if Only They Would Listen

The Manitoba Co-Operator

The NFU has a message that Canadians desperately need to hear. Time and time again the union is not only right about the effects of policy change on producers, it is practically clairvoyant. Story here.

Overgrowth

By George Monbiot

Every child should visit an abattoir. If you disagree, ask yourself why. Story here.

Related: "Saving the Planet, One Meal at aTime."

Another 5,000 Farms Disappear Under Conservatives

New Democratic Party

OTTAWA – New numbers from Statistics 

Canada reveal that the number of farms in 

Canada continues to decline.  

 “In just one year, almost 5,000 farms of all sizes disappeared from the Canadian landscape. We need to act now to help farming families and protect our local food system,” said Agriculture critic Malcom Allen (Welland), “With food prices going up, the last thing we need is less security in our food supply.”

 Earlier this year, New Democrats raised the alarm that less than a tenth of farms are operated by an owner under the age of 40.  

 “Conservatives are turning a blind eye as our rural economies suffer. We need to give our family farms the support they need before they disappear,” added deputy critic Ruth Ellen Brosseau (Berthier – Maskinongé).

 – 30 –

For more information, please contact:

Véronique Breton, Press Secretary, (613) 408-1483 or veroniqu...@parl.gc.ca

 http://www.ndp.ca/news/another-5000-farms-dissappear-under-conservatives

Alberta Says Farm Weather Disaster up to $589M in Crop Hail Insurance Payouts

By: The Canadian Press

EDMONTON - Extreme weather has prompted Alberta to declare this year an agricultural economic disaster, paving the way for up to $589 million in crop and hail insurance payments to producers. Story here.