Canola seeding record predicted – Statistics Canada's recent seeding intentions survey predicts a record 14.831 million acres of canola could go in the ground this spring. It's an 11.7% increase over 2006.
The 16,800 farmers surveyed in March/07 said the increased canola acreage is a response to “economic considerations”. The previous canola acreage record was 14.2 million acres, set in 1994.
Stats Canada is estimating flax acreage to be down more than 30% to 1.430 million acres. Wheat acres are predicted to be down 10%.
Let the feds handle trans fat – At least one expert weighing in on ways to phase trans fat out of Toronto food establishments says the whole matter would be better handled by the federal government. Toronto city council has been mulling a citywide ban similar to the ban that kicks in this summer in New York City.
Dr. David McKeown, Toronto's health officer, is to submit a report by September that outlines ways to phase out trans fat. Already he has urged the city to lobby the federal government to regulate the amount of trans fat allowed in food instead.
Meanwhile, Ron Reaman, vice president of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association, believes the focus should be on providing healthier alternatives such as high oleic canola oil. Without a supply of these oils, restaurants will be forced to use more saturated fats, he says.
Reading and writing and no more trans – The U.S. Department of Agriculture and several state legislatures are considering putting limits or bans on trans fat in school lunches and breakfast programs.
The USDA is expected to limit or prohibit artificial trans fat in school lunches and breakfast as part of new school meal requirements anticipated to be proposed by late 2007 or early 2008. The states of Connecticut, Indiana, New Jersey, North Carolina and Texas have current laws or regulations that would phase in limits or reductions to trans fat in school meals.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 18 states had legislation introduced this year that would address trans fat in schools. For specific details on individual states, go to http://www.schoolnutrition.org/Index.aspx?id=2376
Taking the canola message to cardio nurses – CanolaInfo is sponsoring a booth and a major reception at the Preventative Cardiovascular Nurses Association's (PCNA) 13th annual symposium April 26-28.
Sheri Coleman, CanolaInfo consultant, and Robert Hunter, North American oil promotion manager for the Canola Council, are taking canola oil's heart healthy message to the symposium. They will be joined by Roberta Duyff MS RD FADA CFCS, author of The Complete Food and Nutrition Guide published bythe American Dietetic Association.
The PCNA is the leading nursing organization in the U.S. dedicated to preventing cardiovascular disease through assessing risk, facilitating lifestyle changes and guiding individuals to achieve treatment goals. For more information on the symposium or the organization, visit www.pcna.net
Oil futures market planned for China – The Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange has received government approval for a planned rapeseed oil futures market. It would be the first rapeseed oil futures trade in the world. According to reports, Chinese exchanges may launch up to three new commodity contracts this year, including one for palm oil.
If oil and water don't mix, what about meal and aquaculture? – Can Pro Ingredients Ltd., a new company bringing new life to an aging Saskatchewan alfalfa dehydrating plant, will be buying canola seed to produce canola meal for the aquaculture industry. Can Pro will use a process developed by MCN BioProducts Inc. of Saskatoon to make canola meal into a high protein feed.
Salmon farms around the world are looking for plant-based alternatives for fish feed, says Todd Lahti, president and CEO of Can Pro. Its product is about 65% protein, the same as fish meal.
The Arborfield, SK plant will process about 50,000 tonnes of canola a year through cold pressing, but it could possibly triple that capacity if demand increases, says Lahti.
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