KAP President Reflects On Difficult Year For Farmers

Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) President Bill Campbell is reflecting on what was a difficult year for many farmers.

 

"When we see some of the issues we had with dry conditions early on and then that carried on in certain areas and then how our harvest season progressed and how it has ended up," said Campbell. "Challenging would be a polite term."

 

He commented on some of the challenges faced by livestock producers.

 

"The changes to the Crown Lands Act in certain parts of the province have had some real issues brought forward. The whole production of feed for livestock in certain areas is an ongoing issue that will not be resolved until we get to another production cycle. How those people are able to feed their stock through the winter is going to be a challenge."

 

Campbell says there are a lot of questions heading into 2020.

 

"I think that there will be a lot of last minute management decisions as to the amount spring run-off that we have. Whether or not the land dries up and then how we deal with the consequences of the 2019 harvest and how we get into soil management. How do we get nutrient application? What is the best crop to sow? Where do our budgets lead us? Global demand for our products? There's going to have to be a lot of decisions made through the winter."

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.