The federal government is contributing $3.1 million to further develop the National Index on Agri-Food Performance. A pilot version of the index, which was designed to measure and support marketing around the sustainability of food produced in Canada, was launched in May 2023. As of early 2024, the Centre for Agri-Food Benchmarking, led by executive... Read More
Category: Ag Policy
It’s time for another episode of Wiesemeyer and Haney discussing all the big agricultural topics impacting farmers and ranchers in Canada and the United States! As we hit the end of February, the news cycle shows no signs of slowing down. This week, Shaun Haney of RealAgriculture, and Jim Wiesemeyer, D.C. policy analyst with Pro... Read More
When it comes to Canadian agriculture, criticism towards federal policies and their broader implications is not uncommon. Farmers' list of grievances reflect legitimate concerns over how this federal government's bent will shape the sector's future. However, it's crucial to differentiate between warranted critique and misplaced outrage. A recent social media post from Agriculture Minister Lawrence... Read More
The race is on among canola processing companies to supply growing demand in the U.S. for canola oil as a feedstock for lower carbon-intensity fuels. Construction is underway on three of five planned canola crush projects in Saskatchewan, notes Chris Vervaet, executive director of the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association (COPA), in the interview below. Cargill,... Read More
First announced as the host city in June 2023, the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office (IPAAO) in Manila was officially opened this week by Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay. The Indo-Pacific region is a key one for Canadian farmers, producers, and the agri-food sector, with Canada's agriculture and agri-food exports to the region totalling... Read More
The interest-free component of the federal government-backed spring cash advance loan program for farmers is reverting to $100,000 for 2024 after being increased to $250,000 in 2022 and $350,000 last year. Many farmers use spring advances to help cover the cost of planting a new crop, using crop insurance or AgriStability coverage as collateral. Former... Read More
Canada and the U.S. are unique, different, and not at all the same in many ways, but these two countries also have a laundry list of things in common. There's also the trade relationship that exists, where plenty of products — agriculture and otherwise — flow both north and south freely. Some of where we... Read More
In Canada, we're pretty good at identifying opportunities for the agriculture sector. As an industry, we are told that what Canada has, the world needs, and that agriculture is an industry with huge earning potential. What we are less good at is taking a shot at those opportunities and turning potential into momentum. How do... Read More
Canada has what the world needs: abundant food and food ingredients. More importantly, Canada has what much of the world lacks — good arable land, clean water, and stability. Murad Al-Katib, president and CEO of AGT Food and Ingredients, based at Regina, is well versed in moving commodities and food products around the world. In... Read More
The Official Opposition says that the current Liberal government's approach to the agriculture industry isn't going to get us where we need to be on the international stage, and farmers are feeling the pinch. John Barlow, Alberta MP and ag critic with the Conservative Party of Canada, brought that message to attendees at the Northern... Read More