Barley grower organizations from the three prairie provinces and the Western Grains Research Foundation are investing $2.4 million over the next five years in the barley variety development program at the University of Saskatchewan's Crop Development Centre. The funding from Alberta Barley, the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission, the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association and... Read More
Category: Ag Policy
Although we live in a different country, Canadians are closely following the real-life theatre that is the U.S. presidential election. "You guys have as much at stake as we do," said Stu Ellis, only half-joking, when asked if he'd be willing to do an interview on the election for a Canadian farm audience at the... Read More
Does agriculture have its own social licence, its own special bond with the public? I wondered that last week, thinking about the energy sector. My thoughts were prompted by the terrified look on Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre’s face, when he unwittingly found himself between a protestor (described by the media as “burly”) and participants at... Read More
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
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