With U.S. shipments of agricultural commodities slowly beginning to resume after a lengthy hiatus due to the a trade war with China, farmers are relying on U.S. President Donald Trump's negotiating skills to close a deal with China. That's no small feat as, the deal includes not only a resumption, but also an increase in... Read More
Category: Ag Policy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a cabinet shuffle earlier this week, and although there were no changes for Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister, Canada's rural citizens did gain a new minister. For the first time under this Liberal government, Bernadette Jordan, currently Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Democratic Institutions, becomes Minister of Rural Economic Development.... Read More
Western Canadian cereal commissions from Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan are asking federal agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay for more consultation on proposed seed royalty collection models, including consideration of other options. Further consultations must focus on engaging producers with a new value proposition, the commissions say. The groups are calling for major changes in the Government... Read More
The Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Collaborative (PRC) collaboration, led by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, is set to evaluate technologies that remove phosphorus which could end up in Lake Erie from agricultural water run-off and drainage water. The project is being made possible through funding from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP). The project will establish... Read More
Several producer groups are coming together to ensure farmers have input into the implementation of Canada's proposed new seed royalty system. The so-called value creation discussion has quickly become a hot-button issue now that farmers are realizing only two options are being brought forward, and that there is a lot of money involved. SaskWheat, for... Read More
The Canadian Sheep Federation and the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) recently reached an agreement outlining the roles and responsibilities of each group in delivery of the Canadian Sheep Identification Program (CSIP). As part of the agreement, the per tag fee of $0.23 currently collected to fund the program will increase to $0.59/tag by the... Read More
After thorough scientific review, Health Canada has announced its decision from the 2017 re-evaluation of glyphosate, which renewed the herbicide's registration, will remain in place. The decision notes glyphosate is not genotoxic and is unlikely to pose a human cancer risk. This comes after eight notices of objection and concerns raised by the public about... Read More
In the coming months, Health Canada is expected to release the newest version of Canada's Food Guide. This is the first update since 2007, and the proposed changes are not without controversy. First looks at the new guide suggests a significant shift away from meat and dairy and increased focus on plant-based protein. "This has... Read More
The number of certified crop advisors (CCAs) in Ontario topped the 600 mark in 2017 and agronomist ranks in the province just keep on growing. At the Ontario Certified Crop Advisor Association annual meeting this week, outgoing CCA board chair Ken Currah reported that organization membership has now reached 655, with 102 more candidates registered... Read More
China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) has granted a safety certificate approval for the import and food/feed use of Bayer's TruFlex canola with Roundup Ready technology. According to a news release, MARA has notified Bayer that a safety certificate for TruFlex canola has been granted, and they're now awaiting final documentation which should... Read More