Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) has requested financial support for its members from the government due to trade disruption between North America and China. The U.S. trade battle with China has created a concerning scenario for Canadian prices and market access. Last week, the United States unveiled plans to provide U.S. growers with financial support... Read More
Category: Ag Policy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed Vice President Mike Pence to Ottawa today. This was the first time the Pence has been in the nation's capital, and the country, with his current title. During time with the media, the prime minister told reporters, "millions of families on both sides of the border depend on the Canada-U.S.... Read More
The trade war between the U.S. and China has been a stress point for many people in agriculture. Soybeans are continually the focus of any discussion involving agriculture and China because of the appetite that the Chinese have had for the protein source. It is difficult to determine how much of the price fluctuation in... Read More
This week the federal government opened a consultation for the proposed changes to guidelines around "Product of Canada" and "Made in Canada" labeling. As of right now, it's voluntary to add the two labels; however, they must meet strict guidelines. Currently, to use the label "Product of Canada," all or virtually all (greater than 98... Read More
The United States and Canada have found a truce on the steel and aluminum tariffs which, as promised, presents a window to ratify USMCA (NAFTA 2.0) before the fall. As export-related agricultural commodity organizations push for a Canadian ratification of the USMCA agreement, the Dairy Farmers of Canada is asking the Canadian government to tap... Read More
After months of consultation, the Saskatchewan government introduced new training requirements for driving a semi for a farm or ranch operation. The changes follow the implementation of 121.5 mandatory training hours for Class 1 commercial semi drivers that came into effect March 15, 2019. Currently those that drive truck have to obtain an 'F' endorsement... Read More
The Agriculture and Agri-Food standing committee released its 16th report dubbed, Mental Health: A Priority for Our Farmers. The report comes after the committee, back on April 23, 2018, agreed to undertake a study on mental health challenges in the agriculture community. From June 13, 2018 to January 29, 2019 — the committee heard testimony... Read More
The White House announced a second direct payment program this week for American farmers that have suffered loss of market access due to the U.S.'s trade war with China. The program totals US$16 billion and covers a majority of crops and livestock produced in the U.S. At the same time, Canadian producers are just as... Read More
Frustration is brewing among farmers as changes to the Advanced Payment Program (APP) have yet to happen. The increase to $1 million cap from the previous $400,000 was announced more than three weeks ago. Scott Keller, farmer from New Norway, Alta., took to Twitter on Wednesday calling on the federal government to do something about... Read More
The Canadian beef market is enjoying a record-setting export pace for the first three months of 2019. Last week's announcement of Japan accepting beef from over-thirty-months of age cattle is a real bonus to an already great bull run. Fawn Jackson, senior manager of government and international relations for the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, says that... Read More