Most livestock producers are aware that significant changes are coming to how they'll access antibiotic medication for animals as of December 1, 2018. Beginning then, several commonly used antibiotic medications (especially those important for human medicine) will no longer be available through your feed or animal supply store, instead being accessible only through your veterinarian.... Read More
Category: Ag Policy
When I first became involved with the Saskatchewan Canola Growers Association (SCGA), I did so because wanted to know what the hell was going on. I, like most of you I'm sure, was pretty tired of the state of things and wondered who was running the show. The first thing I found out was that,... Read More
The news Ontario's new government, led by Premier Doug Ford, has announced its plan to expand natural gas access to families and businesses throughout rural and Northern Ontario. Speaking at the 2018 International Plowing Match & Rural Expo this week, Premier Food says he plans to introduce legislation to develop a new natural gas program.... Read More
The future of any neonicotinoid product being registered for use in Canada is very uncertain, as Health Canada is currently proposing a ban or near ban on all uses of clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and imidacloprid. That said, Ontario's main farmer organization, Grain Farmers of Ontario, is calling for its province to scrap its provincial restrictios of... Read More
In a move most knew was on the way, American President Donald Trump plans to impose tariffs on $200 billion more of Chinese goods as of next Monday. A news release says he’s imposing the new tariffs, “to protect the interest of working men and women, farmers, ranchers, businesses, and our country itself.” Announced September... Read More
There are many who likely bristle at the thought of a foreign country investing in Canada, perhaps because most equate "investment" with "land buying." But when we're talking foreign direct investment, in this case, we're talking about companies investing in Canadian businesses, and vice versa. And, as J.P. Gervais, chief agricultural economist with Farm Credit... Read More
Federal Trade Diversification Minister Jim Carr was in Saskatoon last week for the federal Liberal caucus meeting. Carr and Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, took the opportunity to address the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce in what was billed as a 'fireside chat'. The discussion focussed mostly on the programs available to... Read More
The federal Liberal caucus met in Saskatoon, Sask. this week, providing the opportunity to host a hastily-called roundtable on grain transportation. The roundtable included government representatives, farmers, shippers, and railway executives. The purpose of the meeting, according to a government news release, was to provide "participants with an opportunity to share information, to address challenges,... Read More
Federal minister of agriculture Lawrence MacAulay was at the University of Saskatchewan this week to announce $11.1 Million in funding for SaskPulse and Pulse Canada under the Canadian Agriculture Partnership, AgriScience Clusters. In addition, $7.2 million of industry matching funding will bring the total investment to over $18 million. At the press conference, held at... Read More
Our lives and businesses all depend on not just decent cell service, but also useful Internet speeds. It's not just our homes and farms that need real Internet — the businesses and services farmers and ranchers depend on require high-speed Internet to stay competitive and relevant, too. Those who live and work in rural areas... Read More