By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Monday, August 19, 2024

Aug 19, 2024 | 3:42 PM

A shipment of critical minerals from the Port of Churchill is being heralded as a milestone for the northern Manitoba facility.

The Arctic Gateway Group says zinc concentrate, which has been mined by Hudbay Minerals Inc. in Snow Lake, Manitoba, was shipped from the port on Friday.

Churchill Mayor Mike Spence, who is also chair of Arctic Gateway Group, says the company has already been able to secure new contracts to export minerals to international markets.

For the agriculture sector, Churchill is a closer seaport than the Port of Vancouver. Churchill is Manitoba’s only rail-accessed seaport but positioning it as a major grain shipment destination has faced many hurdles.

In February, both the provincial and federal governments pledged $30 million each to help with the redevelopment of the port and finish work on the Hudson Bay Railway.

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Strengthening Canada’s bioindustrial sector through research and innovation creates opportunities, increases competitiveness, and moves Canada towards a more sustainable future.

With funding from the federal government, the Bioproducts Cluster, will develop specialized technologies that turn renewable resources, such as agricultural residues, into bioenergy, biofuels, and biomaterials like ethanol and biodegradable plastics.

The research activities aim to support the transition to a renewables-based economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). This will be achieved by improving biomass production, developing new bioproducts from Canadian crops, and turning by-products into value-added bioproducts.

Meaghan Seagrave, the executive director of Bioindustrial Innovation Canada said the country’s agriculture sector represents significant opportunities for development and commercialization of bioproducts through green chemistry.

“Integrating agricultural feedstocks and downstream bioproducts into a variety of industry value chains will not only increase Canada’s agriculture opportunity but support industrial decarbonization,” she said. “The Cluster supports project activities that focus on biochemicals, biomaterials, biofuels and energy, as well as novel agricultural tools and practices that will assist in providing sustainable feedstocks and co-products into these applications.”

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The National Farmers Union (NFU) has completed Depth of Field: Films About Farming — a series of 40 short films highlighting Canadian farmers implementing sustainable agriculture practices from coast to coast.

Each of the short documentaries captures the commitment of people who have embraced sustainable farming practices, showcasing their efforts to farm while preserving the environment and ensuring the long-term health of Canadian soil.

The 10-min films were made by March Forth Creative and funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).

The final trailer for the project and all films are now available for free streaming on the NFU’s YouTube playlist Depth of Field: Films About Farming and on the NFU website.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @farmnewsNOW