Pundits have said the leaders of the next agricultural revolution – the digital revolution — will be big data-powered researchers, with a universe of information in hand to help make farming more efficient than ever. But no one said those researchers would be found in the labs, fields, and classrooms of some of Canada’s main... Read More

Barley grower organizations from the three prairie provinces and the Western Grains Research Foundation are investing $2.4 million over the next five years in the barley variety development program at the University of Saskatchewan's Crop Development Centre. The funding from Alberta Barley, the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission, the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association and... Read More

China has once again delayed the start of tighter dockage requirements for Canadian canola imports. For now. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement to Canadian media covering his trip in Beijing late Tuesday. “This is a significant step towards resolution of this long-standing issue,” said Patti Miller, president of the Canola Council of Canada,... Read More

2015-16 was a record year for Canadian canola demand. Export and domestic consumption surpassed the 19 million tonne mark, according to crop year-end numbers from the Canadian Grain Commission — a 16.6 percent jump from 2014-15. "The fact that's versus 16.3 million tonnes last year. That's almost mind-boggling," says Brian Voth of Prairie Farm Consulting.... Read More

The University of Guelph's Food Institute has a new director. Evan Fraser, a geography professor and Canada Research Chair who examines global food security issues, was named to the position earlier this week. The institute includes all seven colleges at the U of G, supporting Guelph's 150 year tradition as Canada's "food university" by connecting... Read More

With grain company interest waning following the end of the Canadian Wheat Board's single desk in 2012, it appears the Port of Churchill will not be handling any grain during the upcoming shipping season. The port, which is owned by Denver-based OmniTrax, called its employees to a meeting at 3:30pm on Monday to inform them... Read More

Agriculture ministers from across Canada issued what they're calling the "Calgary Statement" following their annual federal/provincial/territorial meeting, held in Alberta this week. The document outlines the priorities for the next agricultural policy framework, which will replace Growing Forward 2 in April 2018. "We got the framework in place, just how much dollars and how it... Read More

The European Union has issued its long-awaited approval for three biotech traits in soybeans. Monsanto's Xtend and Vistive Gold traits, as well as Bayer's Balance GT soybeans, have been approved for import and food/feed use. Monsanto planned to introduce its dicamba and glyphosate-tolerant Xtend soybeans in Canada for the 2016 growing season, but seed was... Read More