One year in to navigating a global pandemic, it's clear that the economic health of consumers is ailing, but it's difficult to measure by how much; and until COVID-19 passes, any economic recovery in Canada is strained. "It's interesting, when we think back to a year ago, just before the pandemic really began to bear... Read More
Category: Agriculture Policy
The federal government plans to introduce draft regulations for its national greenhouse gas offset system in the next few weeks. Originally announced in the 2019 federal budget, the intent is to establish a framework for generating carbon offset credits, which can then be sold to help others meet their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets. The... Read More
Reforming business risk management (BRM) programs, such as the AgriStability program, has been top of mind for many across the agriculture industry. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau proposed changes to the program at the federal-provincial-territorial agricultural ministers' meeting in November, which the federal government says would increase AgriStability payouts by 50 per cent, but the... Read More
Farmers in Alberta will see a significant reduction in their crop insurance premiums for the 2021 growing season. Announced January 25 by the Alberta government and the Agricultural Financial Services Corporation (AFSC), a 20 per cent reduction will save farmers more than $55 million on their crop insurance premiums this year. Minister of Alberta Agriculture... Read More
The Manitoba Pork Council has announced the hiring of a new general manager. Cam Dahl, currently the chief strategy officer for Cereals Canada, will be joining the provincial pork organization as of February 22, 2021. Dahl served as the founding CEO of Cereals Canada for several years prior to its merger with the Canadian International... Read More
Dairy farmers can check the mailbox soon for directions on how to access the next payment under the Dairy Direct Payment Program. The federal government announced last week that dairy farmers will receive cash payments on the basis of milk quota. The total payouts will equal $468 million in 2020-21, $469 million in 2021-22, and... Read More
Now that inauguration day has come and gone in the U.S., many Canadians are wondering what impacts the Biden administration will have on Canada. Top of mind for the agricultural sector: what will trade relations look like? Narrowing it down even more, what will Biden's approach be to the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA)? Tyne Morgan,... Read More
The federal government has announced $162.6 million in additional funding for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) over the next five years, and $40 million per year in added funding for the agency on an ongoing basis after that. The funding boost, announced by Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, and Health Minister Patty Hajdu on Friday,... Read More
What can farmers and ranchers expect from President Joe Biden's administration? Tyne Morgan, host and executive producer of the U.S. Farm Report, joins Shaun Haney for a fast-paced, 30 minute conversation covering what to expect from Biden's first 100 days in office, if ad hoc payments will continue, and commentary on Biden's choices for leadership... Read More
With consultations underway for the Responsible Grain code of practice, farmers are expressing varied levels of support and frustration towards the concept. Echo chambers have developed on both sides of the issue, with what I perceive to be the majority of farmers in the middle looking for facts and understanding of what Responsible Grain is... Read More