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Who ya gonna call?February 9, 2006: Time to bring out the "rust busters." Canadian wheat scientists are part of a new international effort to combat "Ug99," a new strain of wheat stem rust first identified in Uganda and now spreading in east Africa and toward the Indian subcontinent. The Global Rust Initiative is identifying and developing wheat varieties that are genetically resistant to the new disease strain. "We've had excellent resistance to stem rust in all of our spring wheat varieties for 50 years, so the emergence of a new strain is something we want to monitor closely and make sure we're prepared for," says Dr. Tom Fetch, pathologist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) Cereal Research Centre in Winnipeg. "This strain may be a threat to Canadian wheat production, but it appears we have good genetic material to work with if stronger resistance is needed in our varieties. This is certainly a wake-up call on the need to be prepared." More in Western Grains Research Magazine. CLA: A rising star for dairy and beefFebruary 9, 2006: New research results are strengthening the case for conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) as one of the most promising food nutrients to aid in the battle against chronic disease. This unique fat, found naturally in beef and dairy products, is showing considerable potential for human health benefits related to cancer, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, kidney disease and bone density. Though research is in early stages and based largely on animal models, the potentially broad and clinically significant benefits of CLA have earned it increasing recognition as a wonder nutrient of the future. "We are very excited and encouraged by the new research knowledge on CLA," says Dr. Spencer Proctor, a world leader in blood cholesterol research and Director of the Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases Laboratory at the University of Alberta. "We are learning that CLA is important for many human biological systems and has excellent potential to support human health." More in a new article from the CLA Network. "Third way" option may be good fit for Canadian porkFebruary 9, 2006: Canada's pork industry has great expansion potential, but what's the best model for growth? While the U.S. example of large scale integrated production systems has made the country a pork powerhouse, it has also brought environmental and social challenges. The European co-operative model is better at managing these issues, and also distributes benefits more equitably along the supply chain. However, the European model has more difficulty adjusting to rapid change and attracting investment capital. A key third model for Canada to consider is an emerging collaborative model - one that takes advantage of supply chain alliances known as "value chains," says Jerry Bouma of Edmonton-based Toma & Bouma Management Consultants, a veteran of several major pork industry projects. "Ideally, value chains combine the best features of both integrated structures and co-operatives," says Bouma. "Because of some of the practical realities, value chains to date have largely been limited to small scale niche opportunities, but they do offer great advantages in the right situation." Reprintable with permission. Reproduction of this article - in whole or in part, in print or electronic - requires direct permission from Meristem Information Resources, Ltd. Contact Meristem directly to request reprint permission. |
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International scientists raise warning flag on intestinal cholesterol 