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Tapping health care dollarsJune 1, 2006: The biggest health care issue facing Canadians may be the health of taxpayer finances, says Dr. Richard Gray, head of agricultural economics at the University of Saskatchewan. But while dollar-draining health care challenges are a serious issue for the country, they may also be a major opportunity for the profitability of the grains industry and for attracting additional public funding support for grains research. "One percent of Canada's health budget is $1 billion dollars per year," says Gray, who points out those are big dollars agriculture could tap into by helping to provide solutions. "Governments have been pre-occupied with treatment, very little on prevention," he says. "I think eventually they'll get their head around the idea that prevention is the better way to go." More in Western Grains Research Magazine. Food nutrient to battle chronic diseaseJune 1, 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 the CLA Network. Benefits of integrated controlJune 1, 2006: Prairie crop breeding programs are producing more and better varieties to protect crops from pests such as diseases, insects and weeds. But it's critical to use these varieties as part of integrated control strategies to prevent costly breakdowns in genetic pest resistance. "The bottom line is, if you do the same things over and over again, pests are going to find a niche in any system," says pathologist Dr. Kelly Turkington of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. "Varieties with resistance to a pest are a great tool, but even they need to be managed carefully, in a coordinated way with other tools, to minimize the risk of the pest population adapting to overcome that resistance." Varieties with pest resistance are often mentioned as a valuable alternative to crop protection products, primarily for their cost and environmental benefits. But when relied on too heavily, the pest resistance in varieties is just as susceptible as other control tools to being overcome by adapting pest populations. More from the Western Grains Research Foundation. 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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Livestock industry tackles new era in animal welfare 