China has once again delayed the start of tighter dockage requirements for Canadian canola imports. For now. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement to Canadian media covering his trip in Beijing late Tuesday. “This is a significant step towards resolution of this long-standing issue,” said Patti Miller, president of the Canola Council of Canada,... Read More
Category: Ag Policy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be raising the subject of Canadian canola imports during his trip to China this week, according to the federal agriculture minister. Exports to Canada's largest canola seed customer are facing an uncertain future, as China plans to implement tighter import restrictions on September 1st. The 1 percent dockage standard would... Read More
Ontario’s cap and trade program is expected to raise about $1.9 billion annually. The Liberal government says it will spend the proceeds on initiatives to cut greenhouse gas emissions – everything from investments in public transit and clean technology to making homes and businesses more energy efficient. Program details are still scant, but many rural... Read More
2015-16 was a record year for Canadian canola demand. Export and domestic consumption surpassed the 19 million tonne mark, according to crop year-end numbers from the Canadian Grain Commission — a 16.6 percent jump from 2014-15. "The fact that's versus 16.3 million tonnes last year. That's almost mind-boggling," says Brian Voth of Prairie Farm Consulting.... Read More
The University of Guelph's Food Institute has a new director. Evan Fraser, a geography professor and Canada Research Chair who examines global food security issues, was named to the position earlier this week. The institute includes all seven colleges at the U of G, supporting Guelph's 150 year tradition as Canada's "food university" by connecting... Read More
With grain company interest waning following the end of the Canadian Wheat Board's single desk in 2012, it appears the Port of Churchill will not be handling any grain during the upcoming shipping season. The port, which is owned by Denver-based OmniTrax, called its employees to a meeting at 3:30pm on Monday to inform them... Read More
Agriculture ministers from across Canada issued what they're calling the "Calgary Statement" following their annual federal/provincial/territorial meeting, held in Alberta this week. The document outlines the priorities for the next agricultural policy framework, which will replace Growing Forward 2 in April 2018. "We got the framework in place, just how much dollars and how it... Read More
The European Union has issued its long-awaited approval for three biotech traits in soybeans. Monsanto's Xtend and Vistive Gold traits, as well as Bayer's Balance GT soybeans, have been approved for import and food/feed use. Monsanto planned to introduce its dicamba and glyphosate-tolerant Xtend soybeans in Canada for the 2016 growing season, but seed was... Read More
The chips are down for milk producers in Europe, who are struggling to hang on as the continent deals with another milk glut. The European Union dropped its quota on milk production last year. When that happened, dairy producers upped their production. Now, Europe is swimming in the stuff. Farmers say they’re getting about 10... Read More
Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay was in Calgary on Wednesday to announce up to $6.4 million over three years to promote Canadian beef. The funding will support Canada Beef's three-year market development and promotion plan, which targets regional hubs in Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America. “Canadian farmers and ranchers take pride in producing... Read More