Proposed changes to Canada’s livestock traceability regulations have faced major pushback from industry, with the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) signalling this week that the government's proposed path forward is not workable for producers. Tyler Fulton, CCA president and Manitoba rancher, says the national cattle producer organization does not support proceeding with the Canadian Food Inspection... Read More
Category: Ag Policy
Farmers have spoken loudly in a RealAgristudies survey on land ownership restrictions —and 75% agree that there should be stronger limits on who can own farmland. Farmland has been a high-returning asset for farmers, individuals, families, or investment funds over the past couple of decades. While price appreciation has helped farmers' balance sheets by increasing... Read More
A staggering share of Canada’s food never gets eaten—and Lori Nikkel says that’s a systems problem, not an accident. In this episode of the Ag Policy Connection podcast, Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest, outlines why a national food waste strategy is critical to strengthening Canada’s food system. Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization,... Read More
The federal government is extending the higher interest-free portion on cash advances for 2026. Coinciding with the start of the government's new fiscal year on April 1, Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald announced the interest-free limit under the Advance Payments Program (APP) for 2026 will be maintained at $250 thousand for non-canola advances. By default in... Read More
By Daryl Fransoo The op-eds have been excellent. They’ve put names and faces to the frustration so many of us feel. Darcy Pawlik has laid out, in plain, unflinching language, how the public wheat breeding system our industry helped build is quietly being taken apart. Tyler McCann and Pierre Petelle have kept shining a light... Read More
The Canadian government has temporarily approved emergency use of strychnine for controlling Richardson ground squirrels (RGS) in parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Health Minister Marjorie Michel and Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald issued a statement late Monday confirming emergency registration under the Pest Control Act has been granted until November 2027. Strychnine use for RGS —... Read More
The Canadian Cattle Association has issued a statement on proposed changes to livestock traceability, as currently proposed under Part XV of the Health of Animals regulations, saying: "After extensive producer engagement and input from provincial beef organizations, the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) does not support proceeding with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) currently proposed... Read More
By Cam Dahl "Agriculture and food production in Canada can be key in mitigating these threats. To seize the opportunity, we need to present governments with united and consistent policy solutions." A former boss of mine told me something that has stuck with me for 25 years: “Often you have a choice between being seen... Read More
American biofuel industry and farm groups who represent corn, soybean, and canola growers are applauding record-high renewable fuel mandates announced by the Trump administration on Friday. The biofuel requirements are also expected to support demand for canola grown in Canada, at least until 2028, while putting further pressure on Canadian ethanol producers. The long-awaited renewable... Read More
The federal government is planning to extend the income tax deferral period for livestock producers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba who received compensation for animals ordered to be destroyed due to the 2024 and 2025 bovine tuberculosis events. On Friday, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Heath MacDonald, announced that the government intends to propose... Read More