The federal agriculture minister has named a panel of farmers, academics and industry experts to provide input as the federal and provincial governments review business risk management (BRM) programs for agriculture. Agriculture ministers from across the country committed to a year-long review of BRM programs in July. The review will not impact what the BRM... Read More

Where can Canadians find everything they need to know about farming all wrapped into a neat 60-page package? It's all in The Real Dirt on Farming. Farm & Food Care Ontario officially unveiled the newest version of its flagship public outreach publication last month. This new Real Dirt is the fourth edition since the project’s... Read More

Even though rural Canada voted Conservative, I personally had some hope for the Trudeau government. For me it was a case of giving them the benefit of the doubt on some of their campaign promises. The basis for much of this optimism was on the trade file and Trudeau's ability to connect Canada to Asia.... Read More

The Canadian government has outlined its long-awaited Clean Fuel Standard (or CFS), which Environment Minister Catherine McKenna says will allow Canada to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 million tonnes annually by 2030. A key piece of the CFS is the carbon intensity requirement, which encompasses all facets of biofuel production, measuring carbon emissions... Read More

Calling it a "watershed moment," five Manitoba farm groups have published their plan to amalgamate into a single provincial organization. The proposal was released on Thursday after nine months of meetings between board and staff representatives from Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers, Manitoba Flax Growers, the National Sunflower Association of Canada, Manitoba Corn Growers and... Read More

Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau shared new details on his government's proposed tax policy changes for income splitting or sprinkling on Wednesday, the last day before MPs head home for Christmas. The revised changes include "bright line" tests designed to determine whether a business owner's family members make meaningful contributions to the business, and are... Read More

We often hear that farmers need to tell their story. Farmers need to speak up and make sure their concerns are heard and are understood by politicians and consumers. Too many times our messages seem to fall on deaf ears with left and right leaning governments. However, last week's #farmers4NAFTA campaign by U.S. farm groups... Read More