RRC News:
— Expect big announcements this week from the Federal Agriculture department as Ag Minister Gerry Ritz and other MP’s introduce programs and funding connected to Growing Forward 2. The next stage of the Growing Forward will highlight Canada’s new agriculture policy framework, by capitalizing on the gain made by its predecessor by doubling its cost-shared strategic initiatives including innovation, competitiveness, and market development. Federal, provincial and territorial governments will team up to invest $3 billion into these three key areas.
— Farmers in some areas of the Peace Country in Alberta see upwards of a 100 mm of precipitation in the month of October. This made it the wettest month for these areas in 52 years. Rycroft, Savanna and Cleardale led the way. When combined with the low temperatures, Alberta Agriculture says this has helped recharge soil moisture reserves in many areas, which still remain below normal in many areas in Peace Country.
— Alberta Canola Producers have announced a series of grower meetings across Alberta leading up to the end of 2012.
— Afimilk has announced the launch of new software for dairies and a management system for multiple sites. AfiFarm 4 and AfiFarm Net were introduced on Tuesday. AfiFarm4 is regarded as the next small revolutionary in supervising teams whether it is a dairy with 50 cows or 100,000. Afimilk says the software’s features incorporate advanced improvements for control, diagnostics and monitoring in the milking parlor. Meanwhile AfiFarm allows overall simultaneous management of an unlimited number of farms that may be located in different geographic areas. More info on the new software and management system can be found at http://www.afimilk.com
– Milk has been unleashed. You can now get your milk fix anytime, anywhere thanks to Tetra Pak cartons. With milk being packaged the same way as juice boxes they do not require refrigeration until they are opened. How is this all possible? The milk is flash-heated at higher temperatures (ultra-pasteurization) to eliminate bacteria and then put into shelf safe cartons, which protect the milk from air, light and contaminants. It’s already a big hit in Europe. www.MilkUnleashed.ca
