The federal government is extending the higher interest-free portion on cash advances for 2026. Coinciding with the start of the government's new fiscal year on April 1, Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald announced the interest-free limit under the Advance Payments Program (APP) for 2026 will be maintained at $250 thousand for non-canola advances. By default in... Read More
Category: Ag Policy
By Daryl Fransoo The op-eds have been excellent. They’ve put names and faces to the frustration so many of us feel. Darcy Pawlik has laid out, in plain, unflinching language, how the public wheat breeding system our industry helped build is quietly being taken apart. Tyler McCann and Pierre Petelle have kept shining a light... Read More
The Canadian government has temporarily approved emergency use of strychnine for controlling Richardson ground squirrels (RGS) in parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Health Minister Marjorie Michel and Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald issued a statement late Monday confirming emergency registration under the Pest Control Act has been granted until November 2027. Strychnine use for RGS —... Read More
The Canadian Cattle Association has issued a statement on proposed changes to livestock traceability, as currently proposed under Part XV of the Health of Animals regulations, saying: "After extensive producer engagement and input from provincial beef organizations, the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) does not support proceeding with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) currently proposed... Read More
By Cam Dahl "Agriculture and food production in Canada can be key in mitigating these threats. To seize the opportunity, we need to present governments with united and consistent policy solutions." A former boss of mine told me something that has stuck with me for 25 years: “Often you have a choice between being seen... Read More
American biofuel industry and farm groups who represent corn, soybean, and canola growers are applauding record-high renewable fuel mandates announced by the Trump administration on Friday. The biofuel requirements are also expected to support demand for canola grown in Canada, at least until 2028, while putting further pressure on Canadian ethanol producers. The long-awaited renewable... Read More
The federal government is planning to extend the income tax deferral period for livestock producers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba who received compensation for animals ordered to be destroyed due to the 2024 and 2025 bovine tuberculosis events. On Friday, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Heath MacDonald, announced that the government intends to propose... Read More
The Canadian government has committed to developing a "National Agricultural Soil Health Strategy" together with the Soil Conservation Council of Canada (SCCC). Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald joined Senator Rob Black and SCCC representatives to announce the development of the strategy on Parliament Hill on Thursday. “Healthy soils are the foundation of a strong and sustainable... Read More
The New Democratic Party’s bid to regain national relevance and official party status will reach a pivotal moment this weekend as the new NDP leader will be chosen at the party's convention in Winnipeg. The party hit its high-water mark 15 years ago, winning 103 seats and 31 per cent of the vote to finish... Read More
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to rattle fertilizer markets, creating both price volatility and supply concerns for Ontario grain farmers heading into spring. At the Grain Farmers of Ontario March Classic in Niagara Falls, Gus Ternoey, GFO executive committee member, says the U.S.- Iran conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz... Read More