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The federal government is closing the Cereal Research Centre at the University of Manitoba as part of a wide range of job cuts across the civil service.

The centre, one of a network of 19 national research centres of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, focuses on wheat and oats breeding, improving cereal quality and the resistance to diseases and insects.

Its closure will occur in April 2014 after it finishes existing contracts, said Robyn Benson, vice-president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada for the Prairie region.

It appears no scientists will be laid off and research programs will continue. Staff reached late Wednesday said they had received relocation notices, saying their posts would be moved to research stations in Morden or Brandon, but there was no indication of job cuts. Instead, the Cereal Research Centre's vintage brick building on the U of M campus will be mothballed.

About 30 scientists work at both the U of M site and an off-campus site at the Morden Research Station, which will remain open. There are 230 staff members in total at the two sites.

Benson said there are about 100 PSAC members employed at the Cereal Research Centre.

She said one of the biggest concerns is what will happen to the centre's seed-breeding program. Members have been told industry -- private companies and corporations -- will take over that function.

"That's a step in the direction of contracting out," said Benson.

Keystone Agricultural Producers president Doug Chorney said news of the centre's closure isn't great but it could be worse.

He said the research centre's building has long needed to be modernized, but what matters most is the research continues in Manitoba.

He said KAP has pushed for the creation of a centre of excellence that would bring together all the agencies and agricultural scientists to build on Manitoba's legacy of research, one that includes the development of canola.

It makes sense for such an agency to be centrally located in Winnipeg. Closing the U of M research station appears to be a move away from that vision, he said.

More than 775 PSAC members in the three Prairie provinces were hit with workforce adjustment letters Wednesday.

Those letters are given to everyone who could be affected but not necessarily laid off. Some will find employment in other areas or in other departments.

The Public Health Agency of Canada, for example, issued 483 notices to employees Wednesday but expects about 300 actual layoffs.

Nationally, more than 5,500 PSAC members received workforce adjustment letters Wednesday. Another 1,500 letters went to members of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, which represents mostly white-collar government employees.

The Citizenship and Immigration Canada office in Winnipeg will also be closed, likely throwing 17 people out of work, Benson said.

CIC is amalgamating its offices from Winnipeg, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina and Lethbridge into one site in Calgary.

Also affected are 100 food inspectors with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Most of those jobs, as with all the layoffs, will affect the national capital region in Ottawa and Gatineau, Que., where about 40 per cent of federal civil servants work.

Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said the changes will not downgrade Canada's food-safety system.

In a statement released Wednesday, Ritz said an additional $51 million was set aside in 2012 to enhance food safety.

But the Agriculture Union of the Public Service Alliance of Canada says it has crunched the numbers and estimates the food-safety inspection force will shrink by as many as 100 inspectors, out of 308 jobs eliminated.

This will reverse increases to the inspection force that were put in place in response to the deadly listeriosis outbreak in 2008, and will have an impact on the safety of food purchased by Canadians, union president Bob Kingston said Wednesday.

The cuts are part of the government's latest austerity measures to slice $5.2 billion from operating costs, including eliminating 19,200 civil service positions.

About 12,000 of the jobs will be in the form of layoffs, while the rest will be through attrition.

Steve Outhouse, a spokesman for federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, said there will be five job losses at the drug analysis service lab in Winnipeg. The lab is one of several Health Canada runs to help law-enforcement agencies identify substances found at crime scenes.

The Winnipeg lab, said Outhouse, was the least used and is being shuttered.

The work Winnipeg's lab did will be done at labs in other cities.

Outhouse said Winnipeg will gain 29 scientist jobs from the movement of a lab from Ottawa to the Canadian Centre for Human and Animal Health on Arlington Street.

Mia Rabson and Mary Agnes Welch, Winnipeg Free Press, April 12, 2012

Editor's Note: Additional federal government funding cuts, including major staff reductions at CIDA, are outlined in this article article.

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Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are transforming the way they do business and changes being announced today will reduce barriers to growth and help spur the long term economic prosperity of our agriculture and food industry.

The Agency will not make any changes that would in any way place the health and safety of Canadians at risk. In fact, Economic Action Plan 2012 includes an additional $51 million over two years to enhance food safety, building upon the $100 million in last year's budget. Ensuring safe food for Canadian families is CFIA's priority and these changes underscore that commitment. Since 2006, the Harper Government has provided the investments for the CFIA to hire 733 net new inspection staff.

Agriculture is a competitive modern industry, and changes will modernize Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada allowing it to concentrate on innovation, marketing and reducing barriers for business.

Our Government was elected on a promise to balance the budget. The Agriculture Portfolio will realize 10 per cent in cost savings. Our savings are fair, balanced and moderate and will be implemented over a number of years.

For example, we will consolidate our grants and contributions programs. By delivering our programs out of one branch, our department will offer more efficient services by fewer people. Farmers and the industry will benefit from this change, which will simplify the application process and reduce paperwork and other redundancies, while reducing costs.

Our new streamlined approach will provide the sector with efficiently and effectively delivered programs that will meet the priorities of farmers and industry.

The Government will continue strategic investments and risk management programs to support farmers. We will continue this commitment as we negotiate the next policy framework with our PT partners.

These changes are part of our ongoing transformative agenda focused on allowing farmers to maximize returns from the marketplace. As the agriculture and food industry evolves so too must the Government.

AAFC Press Release, April 11, 2012

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Grain handler Paterson Grain has been tapped to handle contracting and distribution for Canada's first commercial variety of an oilseed aimed at the biofuel processing market.

Saskatoon-based Agrisoma Biosciences on Tuesday named Winnipeg's Paterson as its long-term partner for identity-preserved distribution of Resonance, a carinata variety developed for the Prairies' brown soil zone.

Resonance, the first carinata to be commercially grown in this country, will be distributed through Paterson outlets, which will handle its commercial contracting with growers, the companies said.

"The commercial introduction of Resonance to the marketplace is the final link in the biojet-fuel value chain that connects Canadian growers to airline passengers, with many others performing critical roles in between," Agrisoma CEO Steven Fabijanski said in a release.

Trials run by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in 2009 showed Resonance yielding oil content of 44 per cent and 28 per cent protein. Its yields "deliver attractive economics for growers," the companies said Tuesday.

Agrisoma is on the steering committee for a study announced last year reviewing the possibilities for the feedstock production, processing requirements, potential commercial partners, logistics and infrastructure needed to produce "drop-in" biofuel on the Prairies for use in jet aircraft.

"Drop-in" means the fuel's specifications must be the same as petroleum-based jet fuel and need no special storage or handling. Carinata -- commonly known as Ethiopian mustard -- was one of the crops the study partners viewed as showing the "most promise" for that use.

Last summer the ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials), which approves fuel specifications worldwide, announced its approval the use of up to a 50 per cent blend of biofuels in the kerosene-based or kerosene/gasoline-based fuels now used in jet turbines.

"Not only does Resonance represent an excellent new crop opportunity for growers by giving them a viable alternative for their rotation and enhancing their incomes, but also allows growers to participate in the flourishing bio-energy sector," Keith Bruch, vice-president of operations for Paterson GlobalFoods, said in Agrisoma's release.

Country Guide, April 6, 2012

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Saskatchewan flax producers will pay a higher levy in the new crop year.

A growers meeting in Regina in March voted unanimously in favour of doubling the levy to $2.36 per tonne for flax seed. The 50 cent per tonne levy for flax straw remains unchanged.

SaskFlax is going through a revenue crunch following a sharp decline in seeded acres.

"Flax acres have been cut in half because of both the Triffid issue and the very wet seeding conditions in southeast Saskatchewan for the last two years," says David Sefton, a SaskFlax director from Broadview.

The flax industry continues to deal with the fallout from the detection of very small traces of the deregistered, genetically modified flax variety in shipments to Europe in 2009. The European Union, with its zero tolerance policy for the import of GM products, has reduced Canadian flax imports by 35 per cent. The only flax going to the EU is for industrial purposes.

Currently, about four per cent of flax samples show traces of Triffid, which compares with 10 per cent when testing first started with the 2009-10 crop.

Sefton says southeast Saskatchewan grows between 70 and 80 per cent of provincial flax production. SaskFlax hopes to expand the production area by funding research to develop a high-yield, high omega-3 flax variety for the northern grain belt.

"We want to be able to continue some of the promising research and market development work we've invested in," says Lyle Simonson, Chair of SaskFlax. He points to new opportunities for flax in the North American and global health food markets and the emerging natural fibres industry.

One of the biggest challenges facing flax is the ever growing popularity of canola. Sefton believes the traditional flax growers in the southeast will put flax back into their rotation, but a large percentage of the 2011 unseeded acres will likely go to the other oilseed.

Agriculture Canada forecasts flax acreage will rise 10 per cent this year.

Neil Billinger, FCC Express, April 5, 2012

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Canada's canola industry body has gone to the federal civil service to replace the president it lost to Parliament Hill.

Patti Miller, acting director general with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's farm income programs directorate in Winnipeg, was announced Tuesday as the Canola Council of Canada's new president effective April 30.

As the council's chief, Miller replaces JoAnne Buth, who Prime Minister Stephen Harper named to the Senate in January as one of Manitoba's representatives to the upper chamber.

Miller, who has a master's degree in ag economics from the University of Saskatchewan, was executive director for grains and oilseeds with AAFC's market and industry services branch, before moving to the programs directorate in 2008.

"During her career with AAFC (Miller) was responsible for working with Canadian grains and oilseeds producers and industry on policy, trade, market development and research issues in order to facilitate sustainable, profitable market growth in the sector," the council said in its release Tuesday.

Miller worked as the communications manager for the Canadian arm of U.S. agrifood giant Cargill, also in Winnipeg, providing "leadership and advice to senior managers on all aspects of corporate and employee communications," before joining AAFC.

"Our board has every confidence that she has the expertise to lead our industry toward our 2015 strategic goals and beyond," council chair Pat Van Osch said in Tuesday's release.

"The canola industry is close to achieving its goal of 15 million tonnes of sustainable production and demand by 2015, and I am looking forward to leading the organization toward this goal and to providing leadership in planning our strategy beyond 2015," Miller said Tuesday.

Cory McArthur, the canola agency's vice-president for market development, has so far filled in for Buth as the council's lead point of contact and handled interim duties for finance, research and "external board representation."

Country Guide, April 11, 2012

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Owen Roberts

I'm among that crowd of Canadians who feel they're getting taken to the cleaners by Big Oil, while governments stand by and collect tax on inflated gas prices.

Greed is the only reason that's emerging after last week's mean-spirited spike at the pumps. Other excuses - such as switching from winter to summer gas, problems in the Middle East and shortages due to refineries closing - have been written off as lame by industry experts.

Some people say complaining about the price of gas is like a junkie complaining about the price of dope. But I don't accept that. Mass transit works well in many situations, but it doesn't always fit the bill in an expansive country such as ours. In many case, driving a vehicle is a necessity.

Periodically, advances are made in renewable fuel, an energy source that's already arrived and shows great promise for further refinement. Efforts are underway in labs and facilities across the country, including the University of Guelph, to create and improve reasonably priced bio-based fuels and products made from feedstocks, or biomass, which can be grown in Canadian farmers' fields. As an example, a consortium of 10 scientists from seven Ontario universities came together last month, led by Guelph-based Ontario Agri-Food Technologies, to form what they've called the Ontario Biomaterials A-team, to zero-in on these opportunities.

Biomass production comes with its own critics who say using land to grow crops for energy is diverting it away from food production. Others say it's not and argue farmers should be able to grow whatever they want. It's their land. We need to recognize that despite whatever altruistic image we have of farmers - stoic, humble, serving society first - they must make a profit on whatever they grow. If we won't pay them a reasonable price to grow food, then who can blame them for growing more lucrative crops that are turned into renewable energy, particularly if they help lessen our dependence on Big Oil and prove to be easier on the environment?

For farmers, the price of biomass has been a problem. Traditionally, they've been able to sell corn headed to ethanol production for a decent price. But it turns out other feedstocks - miscanthus, switchgrass, sorghum and tall prairie grass, in particular - can also produce profitable energy, according to a new report released last week. The report, Assessment of the Business Case for Purpose-Grown Biomass in Ontario, says farmers here have the potential to grow "hundreds of thousands of tonnes" of these crops. And more importantly, they can fetch a margin comparable to that of traditional cash crops, such as corn, wheat and soybeans.

That's a significant finding. Profitability is relative compared to some other forms of energy, says Don Hewson, managing director of the Bowman Centre for Technology Commercialization in London, which had a lead role in the study. In local markets, he says, biomass is less than half the cost of heating oil and propane, which now supplies a large portion of rural Ontario. Indeed, space heating applications, using heating oil and propane, are potentially profitable markets for purpose-grown biomass pellets in Ontario.

Hewson admits large energy utilities are currently best served by coal or natural gas. But, he adds, in the near term other opportunities could arise such as agricultural biomass exports to Europe. The business case for energy crops is expected to improve even more as additional acreage is grown, especially as research in plant breeding and advances in production practices help increase yields.

"There is a future for the purpose-grown biomass industry," says the report. "Farmers are encouraged to include these crops in Ontario's agricultural system."

Owen Roberts, farms.com, April 9, 2012

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AAFC has announced funding of more than $600,000 to the Atlantic Poultry Research Institute (APRI) to conduct feed and health research.

The investments are being made in six different projects to further research into better nutrients and improved disease resistance for the region's poultry sector, while benefiting consumers across the country. The funding includes support for projects that will identify ways to increase omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants in chickens and eggs, as well as assess ways to improve flock health and reduce disease.

Nova Scotia is contributing $220,000 for these projects from its Technology Development Program, which supports the development and adaptation of new and leading agricultural technologies and knowledge that will enhance the competitive position of Nova Scotia's agriculture and agri-food industry.

There are 235 chicken, turkey and egg farmers who produce high-quality products for consumers across Atlantic Canada and who generate cash receipts worth $259 million (2010) at the farm gate.

"The poultry sector sees the value of conducting applied research that will contribute to improved animal and human health," said Derek Anderson, CEO of APRI. "APRI is an Atlantic-wide institute that has successfully leveraged funds from the industry and from government to further its applied research needs, which in turn are identified with input from each of the Atlantic province poultry marketing boards."

These investments are supporting six research projects, including:

* Identifying healthy, cost-effective alternatives to traditional feed, such as omega-rich crab meal, canola seeds and cold-pressed canola oil;

* Developing a new approach to vaccination; and

* Finding an alternative to antibiotics that will ensure the health of chickens while meeting the needs of today's safety-conscious consumer.

The investments, delivered through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP), are being provided by all four regional CAAP councils in the Atlantic region, led by Agri-Futures Nova Scotia.

AAFC Press Release, April 11, 2012

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The Government of Canada is investing in a vegetable processing facility that will benefit local growers and create 20 jobs during the first year of production. Member of Parliament Candice Hoeppner (Portage-Lisgar), on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced today an investment of $2.5 million for Canadian Prairie Garden Puree Products Inc. to increase production of their high-quality purees.

"We remain committed to helping our farmers succeed and we will continue to invest in innovative ideas like this one that can deliver real economic benefits," said MP Hoeppner. "This project is a great example of what we are trying to achieve with our investments in innovation and commercialization - a company that started out with an idea, identified a need in the marketplace and is filling it in a way that benefits producers and customers alike."

The repayable contribution, provided by the Agricultural Innovation Program (AIP), will help the company expand its puree manufacturing facility to commercial-scale production, using a novel production process that is new to the Canadian market. The system is economical to operate and leaves a small environmental footprint.

The company will manufacture vegetable purees using a new processing technology that uses rapid steam-infusion cooking to retain the colour, texture, flavour and nutritional quality of the products in the puree. Quality purees are ideal for producing soup and baby food, as they provide superior quality and extended shelf life.

"This initiative is very important for the vegetable and fruit growers in Manitoba. AAFC's investment will enable value-added agri-business to create jobs and improved sales for local growers," says Kelly Beaulieu, P.Ag., Vice President. "The vegetables and fruit produced in Manitoba are of premium quality and the puree format we developed is a superior method for providing global export opportunity."

Local farmers will also benefit from this innovative project. Producers will be able to use more of their harvested crops since they often have produce that is both fresh and healthy but not a suitable size and shape for direct sale.

This is the first project funded under AIP - a $50 million initiative announced as part of the next phase of Canada's Economic Action Plan. AIP is part of the Government's commitment to help Canadian producers benefit from cutting edge science and technology. AIP boosts the development and commercialization of innovative new products, technologies and processes for the agricultural sector.

AAFC Press Release, April 10, 2012

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Genome Alberta's latest research has uncovered a way to improve food safety recalls for the beef industry.

Genome Alberta says the technology it used in its research can mean more targetted food recalls and the industry needing to recall less meat, saving it money without jeopardizing consumer safety.

Number of cattle per batch

The researchers say their aim was to improve food safety recalls but first they needed a statistical method for estimating the number of cattle that make up one ground beef batch.

Using different known methods, previous research put the number of cattle making up one ground beef batch at 300 to 500.

But in some beef recalls, there are several different sources and also a large amount of product can be involved. "There's a lot of heterogeneity, particularly in terms of what we call the capture probability," says Dr. Graham Plastow, CEO of Livestock Gentec at the University of Alberta.

In ecology, capture probability refers to the likelihood of an animal being captured. In a packing plant, it would refer to the likelihood of an individual animal being detected in a batch of ground beef.

The scientists took 10 samples from each ground beef batch. They then extracted about 100 muscle fibres from each sample, and mined the DNA from each muscle fibre.

By cross-referencing the DNA, they figured out how many muscle fibers came from different individuals. Using these numbers, researchers estimated the number of individuals in six batches. Their estimates ranged from a low of 411 individuals in one batch, to over 1000 in others, a significant increase from previous estimates.

Target recalls

The researchers say the DNA sampling methods aren't only applicable to the research community. Eventually the food industry should be able to use the results to improve food safety recalls.

"The idea is that if there is a problem, we could use this technology to narrow down the window where the contamination has occurred," says Plastow.

Not only can the beef industry use the information to have more targetted recalls, but it can also make traceability programs more specific with DNA technology, something that is already being done in Japan.

Avoid imitation

For example, Kurobuta pork is a high-end product in Japan, but grocery store shelves were flooded with cheaper imitation meats. Plastow worked with the Japanese industry to develop DNA testing procedures, effectively ending false Kurobuta marketing.

Canada's beef industry could do the same to assure shoppers that they are buying Canadian beef, which is something that market research shows consumers are willing to pay more for.

The research is still in its early stages, and more work is needed before the DNA sampling methods can be rolled out commercially. Researchers still need to model how contamination spreads through plants. They hope to find a simpler way to micro-dissect the muscle fibres. New DNA technology could allow researchers to develop a batch-specific fingerprint in the plant.

Food in Canada, April 5, 2012

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Leaders of the world's industrial powers should commit to boost agriculture investments in poor countries and end hunger and malnutrition among the poor when they meet outside Washington in May, a group co-founded by anti-poverty campaigners and rock stars Bono and Bob Geldof said on Tuesday.

A new report by ONE Campaign said increased donor support for agricultural investment plans in 30 countries in Africa, Asia and Central America could lift about 50 million people out of extreme poverty.

Leaders from the wealthy Group of Eight - the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Canada and Russia - meet near Washington on May 18-19 where global food security is one of the main development issues to be discussed.

The global food price crisis in 2008, which led to increased hunger, malnutrition and social unrest, highlighted the years of under investment in agriculture in developing countries. Food prices have remained high and volatile since then, raising the food bills of the world's poor countries.

ONE said it would launch its "Thrive" campaign in France, Germany, Britain and the United States to highlight the need to tackle the causes of hunger.

Bono and Geldof were instrumental in a global campaign that led to the cancellation of debts of poorest countries in 2005.

This year's G8 summit is being held at Camp David, a rustic retreat located on a military base in the Catoctin Mountain Park, about 60 miles (96 km) north of Washington.

"ONE's new analysis shows that sustained investment in small-scale farming, together with a focus on ensuring children have enough nourishing food to eat, will have a huge impact on tens of millions of people around the world living in extreme poverty," said Ben Leo, global policy director at ONE.

Leo said ONE's analysis identified 30 poor countries, home to about 26 percent of the 1.4 billion extreme poor, which have globally backed agricultural investment plans that need donor support.

Among the countries are Bangladesh, Benin, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Uganda, Tajikistan and Ethiopia.

Leo, a former U.S. Treasury official, said analysis of the countries' investment plans and existing donor-funded farming programs left a financing gap of about $27 billion through to 2015.

The money could be raised through a combination of contributions from donors, governments, the private sector and in some cases non-profit organizations, the ONE report said.

ONE called on the G8 summit to agree on a new compact on food security and nutrition. The new deal should build on a G8 agreement in L'Aquila, Italy, in 2009 to mobilize $20 billion over three years to increase agriculture investments in poor countries, ONE said.

It also called on G8 nations to ensure a new push to encourage private sector investment in agriculture and adopt measures to tackle food price volatility.

Lesley Wroughton, Reuters, April 10, 2012

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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is developing and implementing an online self-assessment labelling tool. This tool will help producers, manufacturers and retailers create compliant labels. While it is intended for industry, this new public tool may also be used by consumers to learn more about labelling and the rules companies are required to follow.

For more information click here.

CFIA Press Release, April 10, 2012

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