The federal government has released its second round of support aimed specifically at the agriculture industry, and reaction to the $252 million (split between three initiatives) has been swift and consistent: it's not enough. Below is industry reaction from several commodity organizations, including those to whom a portion of the targeted funds will flow. The... Read More
Category: Agriculture Policy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used his daily 11 am national address to announce $252 million in various funding and credit programs aimed at agriculture. "Everyone working in the food industry is working harder than ever to fill the shelves of our grocery stores," said Prime Minister Trudeau in French during the morning briefing. The Canadian... Read More
We are a long way from getting through the COVID-19 pandemic. Even as provinces and states begin to relax restrictions, we know that a return to "normal" is possibly months away, and that's not even accounting for the unknown of whether or not this re-opening of the economy will lead to a second wave of... Read More
I was scanning through the news last week, and there was a really good transcription of the exchanges during the house agricultural committee with the Minster of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie Claude Bibeau. Some things really stood out to me from the transcript that showcase a problem as it sits today. What I've noticed is... Read More
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's become abundantly clear to many that Canada's livestock processing industry is incredibly concentrated to a handful of federal plants. Now, as these plants face partial or short-term closures, many farmers and consumers alike are lamenting the lack of small, local abattoirs. The trouble is, it's not easy... Read More
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) has put a number on the emergency fund it wants the federal government to provide for the agriculture and food industry: $2.6 billion. CFA says this amount is based on estimates of the immediate impacts of COVID-19 provided by agricultural commodity groups across the country. The emergency fund is... Read More
Editor's note: this story was updated on April 29 with new information and a quote from the Dairy Processors Association of Canada and Dairy Farmers of Canada. The leader of the Opposition in the Senate of Canada is accusing the governing Liberals of breaking a promise to delay the implementation of the new North American... Read More
A regulation change in 2014 requiring updating and potentially upgrading some rail crossings means several Manitoba farmers are on the hook for thousands in work to be done by CP Rail. A representative for the railway says it's just enforcing the Grade Crossing Regulations and Grade Crossing Standards set out by Transport Canada nearly six... Read More
Beef Farmers of Ontario, Grain Farmers of Ontario, Veal Farmers of Ontario, and the Ontario Sheep Farmers are collectively asking Ontario's Premier and the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to immediately move to fully fund the Ontario Risk Management Program (RMP) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Representing over 50,000 Ontario farmers, the groups say... Read More
This week's second Q & A LIVE segment features Leftfield Commodity Research analyst Jon Driedger and Shaun Haney discussing all things grain markets. Listen/watch for a full discussion on corn market dynamics, livestock ration swap-out options, why oats may face major over-supply, and the good news story that is pulses. Tune in Tuesday, April 28th,... Read More