The United Nations and the Afghan government have estimated the total export value of Afghanistan's opium in 2005 at 2.7 billion dollars, equivalent to 52 percent of the country's official gross domestic product. Growing poppy seeds for opium is a way for small farmers to make big money as much as 10 times more than growing wheat and six times more than growing fruit trees. New approaches to wipe out poppy fields, such as plans to buy out farmers, have failed because the funding just isn't...

If, and it's a big if, yesterday's dress rehearsal wasn't just window dressing for the prying eyes of the Wheat Kings, who were moving into the 'Dome at the time of the skate. White, who had one goal over the first two games of the series, said his line could use a kick in the pants. If yesterday's practice was any indication, things are about to change. The Calgary Hitmen may have a different look when they take to the ice tonight for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal (7 p. In an...

The Prime Minister yesterday briefed backbenchers about arrangements for a new single desk wheat export system, ahead of Federal Cabinet today. Since the AWB scandal there has been a push to create a new authority. Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce says he is hopeful the Australian Wheat Board will remain as Australia's sole wheat exporter. Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran has already foreshadowed retention of the single desk but with possible changes to the current arrangements with AWB...

In the meantime, other companies were selling tainted product and the supplier wasn't aware that it had provided wheat gluten contaminated with melamine. The hearing will also include outside experts who will discuss the current state of the pet food industry, as well as regulatory or resource shortfalls that led to the widespread recall of tainted pet food. Senate will conduct an oversight hearing on the ongoing investigation and the regulatory mechanisms that govern the pet food industry...

Corn prices have almost doubled in the last year thanks to the growing demand for ethanol -- the alternative cleaner fuel made by distilling corn mostly. Adams is so keen on corn he's converting acreage from different crops. He's talking about the fact that as ethanol demand pushes corn prices up, the costs to those who depend on the crop go up too. Good news for corn farmers is bad news for dairy farmers, consumers. Milk will cost more this year as a result, along with beef, chicken,...