The Canadian dairy sector’s problem with too much skim milk supply could get worse if the Trans-Pacific Partnership becomes reality, according to analysis done by Al Mussell and his colleagues at Agri-Food Economic Systems. Milk, in simple terms, consists of butterfat and skim milk, with Canada’s dairy quota production system based on demand for butterfat.... Read More

The 2015 federal election is being described as a "change" election. As with the Alberta election earlier this year, the electorate wanted change, and that's what they're getting. However, many rural areas where local economies rely on agriculture did not vote Liberal, and so there was a fair amount of groaning and complaining among farm... Read More

Canola oil stands to be one of the “big winners” if the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal is ratified. Negotiations on the 12-country deal concluded earlier this month, with Canadian grain and oilseed, beef and pork sectors welcoming the market access in it. Lawrence Yakielashek, general manager of FarmLink Marketing Solutions, explains in the interview above how... Read More

Do big changes in Ottawa mean big changes for Canadian agriculture? Ron Bonnett, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture joins host Kelvin Heppner on this week’s TWORA podcast to discuss the result of Monday’s federal election and what it means for the farm community. New rules have been announced on who can buy farmland... Read More

After seeking input through the summer, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart has introduced amendments to The Saskatchewan Farm Security Act that will further restrict who can buy farmland and give the Farm Land Security Board more power to enforce the legislation. A survey of more than 3,200 people showed 87 percent not supporting foreign ownership,... Read More

Uncertainty goes hand in hand with change, and so after almost a decade of Conservative government, the shift to a Liberal majority in Ottawa brings with it plenty of questions, including questions about the future of Canadian agriculture (in no particular order): Who's going to be the next ag minister? The Liberals have several ag... Read More

Those who oppose agricultural subsidies have long held New Zealand out as the ultimate success story. According to their line of reasoning, if the Kiwis can farm without subsidies, so can we. In fact, before and during the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks, New Zealand’s iconic status with its admirers was so elevated that to... Read More

The federal political landscape in Canada looks very different following the election on Monday, with Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party of Canada winning a clear majority. After nine and a half years of Conservative government, Canadian farm groups and farmers will have to adjust to Liberal policies and approaches to agriculture (the Canadian Federation... Read More