We’re seeing an early spring in many areas…what does it mean for winter wheat? The Chinese government looks to be putting up an obstacle to Canadian canola exports, and seed is going to be a major factor in determining how many pulse acres get planted on the prairies. As well, federal ag minister Lawrence MacAulay... Read More
Category: Agriculture Policy
A coalition of Alberta farm groups formed in response to the province's new farm labour legislation is getting itself organized. The Alberta Agriculture Farm and Ranch Safety Coalition, or the "AgCoalition" as it's known, announced a formalized governance structure, communications protocol and plans for involvement in provincial consultations today. The group's mandate is to "unify... Read More
Canadian farm income hit a record high in 2015, and is expected to drop slightly in 2016, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The impact of a weaker Canadian dollar supporting domestic prices is evident throughout the department's 2016 Canadian Agricultural Outlook, which was published on Friday. Here are some highlights: Net cash income on... Read More
Bryan Walton, CEO of the Alberta Cattle Feeders' Association, and general manager of the National Cattle Feeders' Association, joins us for an update on cattle feeder news, including: the Alberta Beef Industry Conference, the agriculture coalition in Alberta, and a new feedlot assessment tool. Alberta Beef Industry Conference The Alberta Beef Industry Conference kicked off... Read More
SeCan says it has reached a $150,000 settlement with a farm near Moose Jaw, Sask. regarding unauthorized sales of flax and durum varieties protected by Plant Breeders' Rights legislation. Harvey Marcil of Pasqua Farms has agreed to the cash settlement and a declaration that there will be no additional unauthorized sales. The case involved CDC... Read More
Former agriculture minister Gerry Ritz is taking issue with the Canola Council of Canada's recommendation that growers don't use quinclorac herbicide on canola in 2016. "I'm baffled by this non-science-based targeting of this product," he says in the interview below, responding to this Canola School episode published earlier this week. Citing concerns about quinclorac residues... Read More
Do you think of yourself as an inclusive person? Are you able to tolerate and embrace the behaviors or beliefs of a wide array of people? Are you able to consider people's thoughts that are not the same as your own? Do you only respect people that agree with or support your opinions? Are you... Read More
A remnant of the pro-Canadian Wheat Board movement is still alive, and still punching above its weight, even though it's been three-and-a-half years since the federal government buried the CWB's single desk monopoly. The latest example of the vocal minority receiving mainstream attention: "Prairie Farmers Calling for the Return of the Canadian Wheat Board" read... Read More
From Louisville, Kentucky to Winnipeg, Manitoba, we were on the road again this week (so yes, TWORA is a day late.) We look back on CropConnect '16 in Winterpeg, find out what separates the top 25 percent of farmers versus the bottom 25 percent in terms of financial success, as well as what farmers on... Read More
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry has provided an answer to those wondering how it would even begin to select working group members for the next phase of consultations on the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act. As of today, the government will be accepting nominations for the positions. “Farming is more than a job,... Read More