Thesis on the development of a regional spatial price-equilibrium model which relates regional prices to regional production.

Outline of commercial and First Nations use of non-timber forest products being harvested from the Cariboo-Chilcotin region.

Growing consumer interest in grass-fed beef products has raised a number of questions with regard to the perceived differences in nutritional quality between grass-fed and grain-fed cattle. Research spanning three decades suggests that grass-based diets can significantly improve the fatty acid (FA) composition and antioxidant content of beef, albeit with variable impacts on overall palatability. Grass-based diets have been shown to enhance total conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (C18:2) isomers, trans vaccenic acid (TVA) (C18:1 t11), a precursor to CLA, and omega-3 (n-3) FAs on a g/g fat basis. While the overall concentration of total SFAs is not different between feeding regimens, grass-finished beef tends toward a higher proportion of cholesterol neutral stearic FA (C18:0), and less cholesterol-elevating SFAs such as myristic (C14:0) and palmitic (C16:0) FAs. Several studies suggest that grass-based diets elevate precursors for Vitamin A and E, as well as cancer fighting antioxidants such as glutathione (GT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity as compared to grain-fed contemporaries. Fat conscious consumers will also prefer the overall lower fat content of a grass-fed beef product. However, consumers should be aware that the differences in FA content will also give grass-fed beef a distinct grass flavor and unique cooking qualities that should be considered when making the transition from grain-fed beef. In addition, the fat from grass-finished beef may have a yellowish appearance from the elevated carotenoid content (precursor to Vitamin A). It is also noted that grain-fed beef consumers may achieve similar intakes of both n-3 and CLA through the consumption of higher fat grain-fed portions.

Nutrition journal, volume 9, page 10

animal feed, animals, antioxidants, antioxidants: analysis, cattle, cereals, conjugated, conjugated: analysis, fatty acids, fatty acids: analysis, linoleic acids, meat, meat: analysis, oleic acids, oleic acids: analysis, omega-3, omega-3: analysis, omega-6, omega-6: analysis, poaceae, taste, vitamin e, vitamin e: analysis, beta carotene, beta carotene: analysis

(Abstract not available.)

downloaded by the legislative library of british c

(Abstract not available.)

Ministry of Forests and Range Forest Science Program, volume 11, issue 2, pages 1-6

(Abstract not available.)

Adaptation to Climate Change: From Resilience to Transformation, pages 81-99

Adaptation in agriculture to climate change is important for impact and vulnerability assessment and for the development of climate change policy. A wide variety of adaptation options has been proposed as having the potential to reduce vulnerability of agricultural systems to risks related to climate change, often in an ad hoc fashion. This paper develops a typology of adaptation to systematically classify and characterize agricultural adaptation options to climate change, drawing primarily on the Canadian situation. In particular, it differentiates adaptation options in agriculture according to the involvement of different agents (producers, industries, governments); the intent, timing and duration of employment of the adaptation; the form and type of the adaptive measure; and the relationship to processes already in place to cope with risks associated with climate stresses. Asynthesis of research on adaptation options in Canadian agriculture identifies four main categories: (i) technological developments, (ii) government programs and insurance, (iii) farm production prac- tices, and (iv) farm financial management. In addition to these direct adaptations, there are options, particularly information provision, that may stimulate adaptation initiatives. The results reveal that most adaptation options are modifications to on-going farm practices and public policy decision- making processes with respect to a suite of changing climatic (including variability and extremes) and non-climatic conditions (political, economic and social). For progress on implementing adapt- ations to climate change in agriculture there is a need to better understand the relationship between potential adaptation options and existing farm-level and government decision-making processes and risk management frameworks.

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, volume 7, pages 85-114

adaptation, agriculture, canada, climate change, policy, response options, typology

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Changes in rainfall and temperature brought about through climate change may affect plant species distribution and community composition of grasslands. The primary objective of this study was to test how manipulation of water and temperature would influence the plasticity of stomatal density and leaf area of bluebunch wheatgrass, Pseudoroegneria spicata. It was hypothesized that: (1) an increased water supply will increase biomass and leaf area and decrease stomatal density, while a reduced water supply will cause the opposite effect; (2) an increase in temperature will reduce biomass and leaf area and increase stomatal density; and (3) the combinations of water and temperature treatments can be aligned along a stress gradient and that stomatal density will be highest at high stress. Methods The three water supply treatments were (1) ambient, (2) increased approx. 30% more than ambient through weekly watering and (3) decreased approx. 30 % less than ambient by rain shades. The two temperature treatments were (1) ambient and (2) increased approx. 1-3 degrees C by using open-top chambers. At the end of the second experimental growing season, above-ground biomass was harvested, oven-dried and weighed, tillers from bluebunch wheatgrass plants sampled, and the abaxial stomatal density and leaf area of tillers were measured. KEY RESULTS: The first hypothesis was partially supported--reducing water supply increased stomatal density, but increasing water supply reduced leaf area. The second hypothesis was rejected. Finally, the third hypothesis could not be fully supported--rather than a linear response there appears to be a parabolic stomatal density response to stress. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the abaxial stomatal density and leaf area of bluebunch wheatgrass were plastic in their response to water and temperature manipulations. Although bluebunch wheatgrass has the potential to adapt to changing climate, the grass is limited in its ability to respond to a combination of reduced water and increased temperature.

Annals of Botany, volume 103, issue 5, pages 769-775

biomass, bluebunch wheatgrass, climate change, grassland, open top chamber, pseudoroegneria spicata, rain shade, stomata

This document, AgFocus - A Guide to Agricultural Land Use Inventory, looks at the benefits of an agricultural inventory and considers a range of practical topics asso- ciated with conducting an inventory. It is a companion document to the GIS report and is meant to serve as a guide for communities interested in undertak- ing an inventory of their agricultural land base. The guide includes procedures for conducting an agricultural land use inventory, a suggested data model focus- ing on land use activities and land covers, and a coding system which allows for varying levels of detail. AgFocus – A Guide to Agricultural Land Use Inventory is intended to build on the Strengthening Farming Program's commitment to ensure strong working rela- tionships between the Province, local governments and the agri-food industry. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries looks forward to working with municipalities, regional districts and other agencies interested in pursuing land use inventory work in their farming and ranching areas and developing an agri- cultural GIS.

Presentation slides from Adaptation Canada 2016. 

(Abstract not available.)

(Abstract not available.)

This paper outlines three agricultural and rural extension market reforms and two non-marketing reforms, at all times emphasizing stakeholder, and particularly end-user, participation in the approaches employed in these reforms. It also recognizes the need for non-farm microenterprise development initiatives, and advocates coordinating this effort with other international organizations. The paper recommends that FAO should explore these and related institutional reform options with the developing countries, as an important means of assisting them to revitalize their agricultural and rural extension systems. In the present climate of change, poverty alleviation and food security are major concerns to FAO and its member states. This was evidenced at the 1996 World Food Summit, at which the representatives of FAO member countries pledged their dedication to alleviating poverty using every means available. Agricultural and rural extension is one of the means available to help alleviate poverty and improve food security. It promotes the transfer and exchange of information that can be converted into functional knowledge, which is instrumental in helping to develop enterprises that promote productivity and generate income.

(Abstract not available.)

Farmwest.com, pages 1-2