Latest news with #Millen
Winnipeg Free Press
6 hours ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Boosting agriculture production innovation
GROSSE ISLE — The sensors are ready; potatoes will soon be tracked. At least, they will in a storage facility on a MacGregor farm. The operation — J.P. Wiebe Ltd. — is the latest to join a growing network of research farms across Canada. 'We're not printing arable land,' Graeme Millen, a vice-president at Farm Credit Canada, said Tuesday. 'If you want to get more out of the land we have, it's singularly going to be through innovation.' MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Jacqueline Keena, Managing Director, EMILI, during the event Tuesday. EMILI and Farm Credit Canada announce the expansion of the Innovation Farms network during an event at EMILI's Innovation Farms at 70127, Rd 1E, Grosse Isle, Tuesday morning. Reporter: Gabrielle Piche 250715 - Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Farm Credit Canada, a federal Crown corporation, tabbed $2 billion for agriculture and food innovation earlier this year. Committing six-figures annually to research at J.P. Wiebe Ltd. is part of the fund, Millen said. Farm Credit Canada doesn't divulge specific funding, a spokesperson added. However, a four-year funding agreement for J.P. Wiebe is in place. Millen has noticed increased demand globally for Canadian food as recent trade wars unfurl. (Overall, exports to countries aside from the United States jumped 5.7 per cent month-to-month in May, hitting a new record.) Even without current geopolitical tensions, Canada is among the world's top food exporters. Agriculture and agri-food exports account for roughly seven per cent of the national gross domestic product. 'We always have to have a lens to how Canadian agricultural production stacks up … compared to our international counterparts,' Millen said. Hence the 2024 creation of Farm Credit Canada Capital, the Crown corporation's investment division. It funnelled more than $170 million into agriculture and food technology companies in its first year, Millen relayed. Farm Credit Canada has been inking deals with research farms for the past four or five years. J.P. Wiebe Ltd. marks the second farm site in Manitoba and, at minimum, the sixth in the country. 'We just see this as an incredible pathway to driving the adoption of innovative technology and practices across Canadian farms,' Millen said. 'We want to keep pushing boundaries together to drive the competitiveness globally.' Already, projects are underway at J.P. Wiebe. The 6,000-acre farm seeds 2,600 acres of potatoes annually and rotates its crop. OpticAg, an artificial intelligence-powered startup, is developing its software — which combines different softwares tracking farm performance — and is gathering data from J.P. Wiebe. Cellar Insight will monitor potatoes in storage through its in-development hardware. Its sensors use air flow and humidity, temperature and carbon dioxide tracking to detect potato rot and depletion. SUPPLIED Workers install a sign at Innovation Farms's newest expansion in MacGregor, Man. The expansion covers J.P. Wiebe Ltd., a potato farm. Traditionally, farmers use visuals and smell to scout potato loss. 'The challenge, we feel, is … how can you detect it earlier than you smell it? Because obviously it's (already) started,' said Terry Sydoryk, Cellar Insight's chief executive. J.P. Wiebe Ltd. marks Cellar Insight's first venture into Manitoba. The startup is working with roughly 30 farms in Alberta and New Brunswick; it aims to grow to the United States. Research farms like J.P. Wiebe Ltd. are 'critical,' Sydoryk said. '(We) have to respect the fact that you can't upset that (farming) cycle in a fashion that you might in other industries,' he added. 'It's basically a livelihood that's being invested, and ultimately, that needs to be protected.' Producers need to see startup offerings in action and businesses benefit from testing their wares on farms, explained Jacqueline Keena, managing director of Enterprise Machine Intelligence Learning Initiative (EMILI). EMILI will oversee research at J.P. Wiebe Ltd. The potato operation is the second under EMILI's Innovation Farms umbrella. Rutherford Farms, a 5,500-acre company in Grosse Isle, is the first. The latter farm seeds dryland crops — wheat, canola, oats. Planting such crops on J.P. Wiebe's irrigated land is an experiment opportunity moving forward, Keena said. '(It's) relevant as you think about climate change and increased heat and moisture variability,' she added. A nearby Grosse Isle canola field has lost most of its flowers this July due to lack of rain. It's 'not an excellent' sign for harvest, Keena noted. Wildfire smoke has affected companies at Innovation Farms by disturbing drone and satellite images used in algorithms. One business has changed its algorithm to rely less on satellite footage, Keena said. 'All of these environmental variabilities that make growing crops more variable are reasons why we need to test different sorts of technology,' she said. For example, testing crops that are more drought-resistant in August or seed varieties that'll germinate in spring could be helpful. EMILI launched Innovation Farms in 2022. Upwards of 50 projects have covered the Grosse Isle operation since, including weed prediction and grain tracking. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Sheldon Wiebe, owner of J.P. Wiebe Ltd., was out of the country and unavailable Tuesday. Millen from Farm Credit Canada said he had initial discussions with Wiebe about the partnership last year. 'When I heard about what EMILI was doing, testing and validating technology at Innovation Farms, I knew it was something I wanted to contribute to,' Wiebe wrote in a statement. Farm Credit Canada is working to better co-ordinate data and findings between its partner research farms in Manitoba, Ontario and Alberta, Millen added. Gabrielle PichéReporter Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle. Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
We hit 55 in our Raiders countdown to kickoff. Who wore it best and who's wearing it now
We've reached 55 days until the Raiders season opener at Foxboro against the Patriots, With our countdown at 55 days we take a look at who currently dons the number in Silver & Black and who has brought it the most distinction. No. 55 Who's wearing it now: LB Cody Lindenberg Lindenberg was the Raiders selection in the seventh round of this year's draft out of Minnesota. He is a middle linebacker by trade and during minicamp he was lining up with the second team behind projected starter Elandon Roberts. Who wore it best: LB Matt Millen Millen was a second round pick by the Raiders in the 1980 NFL Draft. He instantly became their starting middle linebacker as a rookie and the Raiders won their second Super Bowl. Three years later, Millen was again the man in the middle for the Raiders Super Bowl winning squad. In total, he spent nine seasons with the Raiders, making his only Pro Bowl in his final season with the team. In his final three seasons in San Francisco and Washington, he would get two more rings, earning four rings with three different teams. Honorable Mention: LB Dan Conners The first great middle linebacker for the Raiders. Full disclosure, I had a tough time choosing between him and Millen here. Conners was a round two pick by the Raiders in the 1964 AFL Draft. He spent his entire 11-year career in Oakland. By year three he made the first of three trips to the Pro Bowl. Year four the Raiders were in the Super Bowl.
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Karen Millen issues apology after calling breastfeeding mothers ‘selfish'
Karen Millen has issued a public apology after facing major backlash for claiming that breastfeeding children after six months of age makes mothers 'selfish.' The 63-year-old made the controversial remark during her Tuesday appearance on Vanessa Feltz's eponymous Channel 5 show, where she shared her thoughts on a viral story about an American mother breastfeeding her three-year-old child, The Sun reported. On the show, host Vanessa Feltz asked Millen for her opinion on the breastfeeding mother's story. 'There's no benefit, is there, for a child to be breastfed beyond six months, really... I think it's quite a selfish thing on the mother's part,' the fashion designer said. When asked why she felt that way, Millen replied, 'Well, I just think, you know, that's not good emotionally for that child.' Several mothers and parenting advocates have slammed Millen for her comments and defended breastfeeding beyond the age of six months. They said it not only has nutritional benefits, but also helps in growing emotional bond with the child. Influencer Imogen, who is a mother of two, said in a TikTok video that she is 'so angry and upset' with Millen's comment. Calling it 'woman bashing women,' Imogen noted that breastfeeding is 'incredible for your children.' Amid the backlash, Millen issued a statement to the talk show and claimed that it was not her intention to 'upset a lot of your viewers.' She clarified that her thoughts were on the question regarding the three-year-old child being breastfed. '...my answers reflected that, not the subject of breastfeeding. I have three children, and I breastfed all three of them up until six, seven months, despite it being incredibly painful,' she stated. Millen went on to say that she 'found it more difficult to come to terms' with how breastfeeding would benefit a three-year-old. The fashion designer said people have their own 'personal choice and decision' in such things and she respects it. "And as a woman, to women, I do respect your choices, and I do want to support you. So my apologies once again. I hope you forgive me," she concluded. While some accepted her apology, others continued to criticise her in the comments section. 'This issue was that there was no balance and it was factually incorrect,' one person wrote, while another added, 'We don't accept her apology. Cancel Karen Millen.' As per the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO), children should be breastfed for the first six months and later up to the age of two and beyond that. Boohoo Group acquired Karen Millen in 2019 and took over its business online-only. The luxury women's fashion label is known for its wide collection of women's dresses such as tops, shirts, jackets and coats. Yes, the Princess of Wales donned outfits from this brand for several occasions. As per reports, she underwent upper blepharoplasty and other procedures to address age-related changes.
Graziadaily
12-06-2025
- Health
- Graziadaily
Why Karen Millen Is Under Fire For Saying Parents Who Breastfeed After Six Months Are 'Addicted'
Fashion designer Karen Millen has apologised after criticising mums who breastfeed their children beyond the age of six months, labelling it 'selfish' and 'not normal'. The designer appeared on Vanessa Feltz' Channel 5 show, Vanessa, and said there were 'no benefits' for the child and claimed it is the parents who become addicted. 'There's no benefit, is there, for a child to be breastfed beyond six months, really. I think it's quite a selfish thing on the mother's part. I just think that's not good emotionally for that child.' Millen's comments were met with backlash online with some calling them 'mum shaming' and others accusing her of spreading misinformation. Of course, there are plenty of parents who are proud advocates of breastfeeding beyond infancy. The following day, Millen issued an apology on social media, saying: 'The question was aimed at a three-year-old being breastfed and my thoughts on that and my answers reflected that, not the subject of breastfeeding. And as a woman to women, I do respect your choices and I do want to support you.' However, these comments have also prompted widespread criticism. The Instagram account @boobtofood wrote, 'This isn't a full apology and it continues to spread misinformation. A 6 or 7 month old is not a toddler. Breastfeeding beyond infancy is normal, beneficial and recommended by the World Health Organisation.' While @miswifemarley added, 'When discussing topics like this on TV, it would be beneficial to also have an expert in infant feeding available, to negate opinions that the general public may deem as truth.' However, another viewer defended Millen and wrote, 'She was asked for her thoughts and gave her opinion. Chill out! I didn't breastfeed my child and my child has rarely been ill.' The comedian Katherine Ryan also chimed in to say, 'Everyone knows: an infant baby becomes a FULL CALF at six months old and that's when milk from a natural source (cow) becomes more suitable than milk from its mother of the same birth species.' A comment on the parenting forum Mumsnet perhaps best summarises the debate. 'You're not allowed to get it right as a mother, are you?' it reads. 'Bad if you don't breastfeed but also bad if you breastfeed for too long, apparently.'
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
Fashion designer Karen Millen under fire for ‘selfish' breastfeeding comment, issues apology
British fashion designer Karen Millen sparked strong reactions this week following a controversial remark on Channel 5's Vanessa talk show. Discussing breastfeeding beyond infancy, Millen referred to mothers nursing past six months as 'selfish.' What happened? While on Vanessa, host Vanessa Feltz asked Millen about breastfeeding a three-year-old, prompted by a US mother who went viral for doing just that. Millen replied: by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 32 Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo 'There's no benefit, is there, for a child to be breastfed beyond six months really. I think it's quite a selfish thing on the mother's part.' 'I just think that's not good emotionally for that child, The attachment, it become an addiction, they only know the boob.' Live Events 'It's just not normal, is it? I'm sorry, I find it very weird.' Immediate reaction Millen's words struck a nerve. Many mothers and parenting advocates defended extended breastfeeding, citing both emotional bonding and nutritional benefits. A surge of online commentary pointed out that weaning is a personal choice shaped by culture, health, and family needs. Numerous voices emphasised that sustained breastfeeding can be both loving and empowering for mother and child. Karen Millen's apology Taking to social media , Millen clarified her remarks: 'The question was aimed at a three‑year‑old being breastfed, and my thoughts on that, not the subject of breastfeeding. And as a woman to woman, I do respect your choices and I do want to support you.' She expressed regret for any offence caused, emphasising that her comments were judged out of context and were never meant to belittle mothers. Expert and community responses While some accepted her apology, others said it didn't go far enough. Parenting experts stress there is a wide scientific consensus that breastfeeding after six months, alongside complementary foods, continues to be beneficial well into toddlerhood. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding up to two years or longer, as mutually desired. On social media, many mothers shared deeply personal stories of extended nursing easing emotional transitions, aiding health recovery, or strengthening family bonds. One mother wrote: 'I breastfed until I went back to work at nearly two years... it was comfort and nutrition together.' Karen Millen's intention may have been to weigh in on a sensitive parenting issue. Yet her words underscored how quickly public figures can be caught in emotional, personal subjects.
