The federal government is finding ways to spend $19 billion more than promised during the election campaign last fall. Some of that money will be spent in agriculture-related areas. Finance Minister Bill Morneau's first budget, unveiled Tuesday, projects a $29.4 billion deficit in 2016-17 — well beyond the $10 billion deficit outlined by the Liberals... Read More
Category: Canadian Agriculture Policy
A guest editorial by Cam Dahl, president of Cereals Canada Saskatoon recently saw a meeting of some of the most important minds in Canadian wheat research. A workshop was held that included public and private researchers from across Canada, farmers from coast to coast, and Canadian exporters. Our goal was to move forward on the... Read More
When it comes to global trade, there are numerous challenges organizations and industry representatives must face. First, they have to be able to deal with cross-cultural communications issues, and understanding their partner country, from how to properly greet someone, to what the product means to the country's people. Second, they have to be able to... Read More
There's a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the Trans-Pacific Partnership, with President Obama running tight on time and the frontrunners in the race to replace him — Trump, Clinton, Sanders, Cruz — voicing their opposition to the proposed trade deal. Both the U.S. and Japan, due to the size of their economies, must be part... Read More
The administration of cash advances has become a competitive business following legislative changes to the federal government's cash advance program last year. With the passage of Bill C-18, each producer group that serves as an Advance Payments Program administrator (find a list here) can issue the short-term loans for all 45 crops and livestock types... Read More
Alberta Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier has agreed to work with a coalition of farm groups to improve farm and ranch safety in the province. The Alberta Agriculture Farm and Ranch Safety Coalition, or the "AgCoalition," was formed in response to Bill 6 — the Alberta government's new farm labour legislation. The group aims to provide... Read More
We’re seeing an early spring in many areas…what does it mean for winter wheat? The Chinese government looks to be putting up an obstacle to Canadian canola exports, and seed is going to be a major factor in determining how many pulse acres get planted on the prairies. As well, federal ag minister Lawrence MacAulay... Read More
A coalition of Alberta farm groups formed in response to the province's new farm labour legislation is getting itself organized. The Alberta Agriculture Farm and Ranch Safety Coalition, or the "AgCoalition" as it's known, announced a formalized governance structure, communications protocol and plans for involvement in provincial consultations today. The group's mandate is to "unify... Read More
Canadian farm income hit a record high in 2015, and is expected to drop slightly in 2016, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The impact of a weaker Canadian dollar supporting domestic prices is evident throughout the department's 2016 Canadian Agricultural Outlook, which was published on Friday. Here are some highlights: Net cash income on... Read More
Bryan Walton, CEO of the Alberta Cattle Feeders' Association, and general manager of the National Cattle Feeders' Association, joins us for an update on cattle feeder news, including: the Alberta Beef Industry Conference, the agriculture coalition in Alberta, and a new feedlot assessment tool. Alberta Beef Industry Conference The Alberta Beef Industry Conference kicked off... Read More