The newly-formed Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) has announced the results of its inaugural nomination process, as the group called for farmers to sit on its new crop committees. The MCA was formed on August 1, 2020 following the merger of five provincial commodity organizations that collect check-offs on wheat (spring and winter), barley, sunflowers, corn,... Read More
Category: Ag Policy
A lack of agriculture having any sort of place in the recent throne speech deserves due criticism, as agriculture is an economic driver that will help see the country through to the other side of the pandemic, says a senator from southern Ontario. "The government frequently speaks about its commitment to agriculture, yet in the... Read More
It's not just any farmer who thinks, "I should invite all of North American ag Twitter to my farm," but Jeff Bennett is not just any farmer. Grain farmer, board member, and sometimes bison rancher, Bennett farms near Dodsland, Sask., with his wife Shilow and their two kids. Bennett recently stepped in to the full-time... Read More
The dates have finally been announced for the twice-delayed federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) agriculture ministers' meeting that was originally scheduled to be held in Guelph, Ont. in July. The ministers will hold their annual FPT meeting over two virtual sessions on November 20 and November 27, with a joint communiqué to be released at... Read More
After a goodwill request to meet to build trust and discuss the re-establishment of a Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF) that represents all provinces at a national level, the CSF has responded with a resounding no. Marc Carere, chair of Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF), committed to the membership an open and transparent process regarding any discussion... Read More
Almost everyone who lives in a rural area is well aware of the challenges with infrastructure and services — from keeping schools open, to attracting and retaining doctors, to building roads and fixing bridges. Fewer though are likely fully aware of just how far behind their local town or municipality has fallen in keeping up... Read More
The Alberta government says part of "prioritizing jobs for Albertans" includes making changes to the temporary foreign worker (TFW) program in the province. Alberta's government plans to limit the number and types of jobs available to new TFWs — making jobs "available for unemployed Albertans," according to a press release. As of November 1, additional... Read More
The Saskatchewan Party has entered political dynasty territory after winning a fourth consecutive provincial election on Monday. With mail-in ballots still to be counted, the latest tally from Elections Saskatchewan shows Scott Moe's SaskParty team holding 50 seats and 63 per cent of the popular vote, with the opposition New Democrats winning or leading in... Read More
The Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) held its annual general meeting October 23, via Zoom, and the chair's opening report directly addressed the ongoing issue of dissension within the membership and the Canadian sheep industry as a whole. "I am frustrated by the distrust in our industry that has led to too many acrimonious and hostile... Read More
Agriculture research and extension in Alberta has been through an incredible few weeks, to say the least. In the last month, several research programs have moved to new institutions and over 250 agriculture-based staff have been let go, as promised in the last provincial budget. The huge changes beg the question: what will provincially-funded agriculture... Read More