Ryan Greir, a sheep producer from Alberta, has been named as the chair for the National Sheep Network (NSN). Greir is currently the vice-chair of Alberta Lamb Producers, and farms just east of Strathmore with his wife Janna and young son. The NSN represents Canada’s top three lamb producing provinces —Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec —... Read More
Category: Canadian Agriculture Policy
Jubilant wouldn’t be the word I’d use the describe the majority of Canadians on this post-election day. That’s even truer in rural Canada. Although Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed a clear mandate in his victory speech, the strength of his government looks like one with its knees cut out from under it. Of course, it... Read More
We are still waiting for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement — NAFTA 2.0 — to be ratified in both Canada and the U.S. In both countries, major political happenings are dragging on the process: a federal election here in Canada, and the threat of impeachment of the president in the U.S. Canada West Foundation's Carlo Dade says... Read More
Change is constant. It's also uncomfortable and difficult. And, according to one policy analyst, significant agriculture trade flow and economic change is on the horizon — is Canada ready? "Part of the reason for putting together this policy note is to sort of to help people understand we need to appreciate the breadth and depth... Read More
The Government of Manitoba has announced changes to the Water Rights Act, changes the Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) say will make it harder — not easier — for farmers to control water on their land. The Pallister government has launched a "new approach" to the act which will streamline the approval process for producers and... Read More
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue is a man of the people. There was no better evidence of that than this week when he sat with dairy farmers at the World Dairy Expo to listen to their concerns. Quite simply, U.S. dairy farmers are in a tough spot. After five years of depressed milk prices, producers... Read More
The 43rd federal election is less than three weeks away, and the chair of Soy Canada is wondering why agriculture hasn't been brought up more during election debates. There's a multitude of issues to be brought up, yet no party seems to really be keeping a close eye on farmers. In particular, Soy Canada chair,... Read More
Ontario has launched a Meat Industry Engagement Panel — a collaboration with the Ontario government along with Meat & Poultry Ontario. The aim of the new panel is to continue to increase food safety in the province while supporting economic growth opportunities for the sector, according to a news release. "This panel’s industry experts will... Read More
Toban Dyck farms near Winkler, Manitoba. He's also a columnist for the National Post. And this week's column struck a chord with RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney. Dyck joined the show to talk about his take on what farmers need right now, not just in light of the upcoming election, but overall as an industry,... Read More
The president of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) is sounding the alarm surrounding the lack of trade being done with the European Union since Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) came into effect two years ago. “When CETA was first signed, agri-food exporters were promised a means to increase exports by billions... Read More