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open i's 2005 Archive


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David Walker
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By date of publication, 2005

  1. November 28, 2005: ANALYSIS: Oats Situation and Outlook - With declining EU oats production, prices have risen above those for other coarse grains. The UK harvested the smallest area on record and will need to import.
  2. November 14, 2005: ANALYSIS: North American Crop Update - The US harvested a relatively small wheat crop, another large maize crop but a smaller soyabean crop. The Canadian harvest was a relatively large one, but quality was a little disappointing.
  3. Oct. 17, 2005: The great divide in animal welfare - Canadian Broadcasting Corporation editorial by David Walker
  4. September 21, 2005: Consumer Advocacy and Scientific Opinion - while appointing consumer advocates to scientific advisory bodies might seem an innocent political practice, it can and probably has had very unfortunate consequences. (440 words)
  5. September 20, 2005: Of Deer and Badgers - the very different ways human health issues are being handled in Canada and the UK says more about humans than the diseases. (675 words)
  6. September 19, 2005: ANALYSIS: US Maize Crop 2005 - second in size only to last year's exceptionally large crop meeting anticipated domestic and typical export demand without resulting in a material change in price depressing carry-over stocks.
  7. September 5, 2005: ANALYSIS: Canadian Crop Conditions - With mostly good crop prospects, Canada will have abundant supplies but export quality dependent on favourable harvest weather.
  8. August 22, 2005: ANALYSIS: Ocean Freight Update - ocean freight rates are in a rather erratic downward trend with capacity of the dry bulk fleet more than matching prospects for sustainable demand for cargoes.
  9. July 26, 2005: ANALYSIS: North American Crop Update, July 2005 - US winter wheats have deteriorated but a mediocre crop is still anticipated, spring wheats are developing favourably, prospects for maize and soybeans weather prone. Canadian prospects very mixed, but in aggregate favourable
  10. July 2005: For Article 39 read Article III-227. - The UK's decision not to hold a referendum on the proposed EU constitution is an opportunity lost.
  11. June 13, 2005: ANALYSIS: North American Crop Development - slightly below average US winter wheat crop, area sown to maize and soyabeans is again large and crop development on the Canadian prairies favourable.
  12. June 2005: More of Margaret Beckett. - The reappointment of DEFRA secretary is of little comfort to hard pressed farmers, says David Walker.
  13. May 24, 2005: ANALYSIS: Canola - Canada and Australia Update - both expecting lower output.
  14. May 16, 2005: Putting some sexy sizzle into food sales - Canadian Broadcasting Corporation editorial by David Walker
  15. May 2005: Who was the Fool? - David Walker turns detective as he scrutinizes a regional daily for April Fool news articles.
  16. April 18, 2005: ANALYSIS: Emerging North American Crop Prospects - US wheat area smallest since 1972, maize up 3%, soybeans down 2% and field conditions almost as good as a year ago
  17. April 15, 2005: GM crops - parked, not planted - UK politicians seemed to have found a place to park the issue, leaving it to civil servants in Brussels to resolve it. (800 words)
  18. April 14, 2005: Selenium? Yes, selenium - the UK dairy industry is considering promoting milk rich in selenium. (350 words)
  19. April 4, 2005: ANALYSIS: World Wheat Trade - Import Perspective - the 11 largest importing countries only account for half of net imports.
  20. April 2005: Measuring Success - Next month's 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day means it is timely to reflect on the issue of food security, writes David Walker.
  21. March 21, 2005: ANALYSIS: US Fuel and Fertilizer Costs - increases US costs may influence spring seeding decisions.
  22. March 2005: Provenance in the Food Market - Experts can distinguish original artworks from forgeries. David Walker wonders about the implications for food.
  23. Feb. 21, 2005: The price of bread and such - farmers might benefit by learning price propaganda techniques from food processors. (500 words)
  24. Feb. 21, 2005: Still Hunting - A bitter campaign to impose a ban on hunting in Britain appears to have achieved nothing. (550 words)
  25. February 2005: The Act of Hunting - The case for banning dogs for hunting is no stronger than for keeping them for personal security or company argues David Walker.
  26. January 2005: A Fresh Start for DEFRA? - David Walker wonders whether deeper reasons lie behind the government's attempt to attract fresh entrants into farming.
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