New appointments to the province's Ontario Pesticide Advisory Committee (OPAC) have got at least one farm group calling foul — yet again — on Ontario's government. The committee's purpose is to "annually reviews the content and operation of the Pesticides Act and its regulations and recommends changes or amendments" to the minister of environment and... Read More
Category: News
A former Agriculture Canada employee with more than 20 years of experience in the labour movement was sworn in as Alberta's new minister of agriculture, forestry and rural development on Sunday. Oneil Carlier, who lives in Darwell and is the new MLA for Whitecourt-Ste. Anne, was chosen by Premier Rachel Notley to look after the... Read More
North America's largest food retailer, Walmart, unveiled its positions on animal welfare and the use of antibiotics in farm animals on Friday. Strangely enough, farm groups and animal rights organizations alike applauded the company's animal care guidelines. While both sides are welcoming Walmart's positions, if you dig a bit deeper, there are conflicting views on... Read More
Canada's fight against U.S. country of origin labeling rules for meat highlights an inconsistency in the Canadian position on the treatment of foreign agricultural products, say two organizations representing American wheat growers and industry. U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers sent a letter to Canadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and International... Read More
A feed mill in Winnipeg will be the first commercial facility in North America to use an infrared-based grain sorting technology to remove grain infected with fusarium or ergot. Standard Nutrition Canada Co. is receiving $1.1 million from the federal and Manitoba governments, and investing $1.1 million of its own, to purchase two BoMill TriQ... Read More
It’s a COOL (or cool)-themed farm news update — here’s “This Week on Real Ag” for the third week of May 2015: Listen to the full interviews with some of the people heard on this week’s TWORA podcast: How Will Washington React to the WTO’s Final Word on COOL? Beef Market Update: Lofty Prices, Tight... Read More
Canadian beef industry leaders have established an endowment fund to support "the sustainable advancement and legacy of the Canadian beef industry." The Canadian Cattlemen's Foundation will have three main focus areas within the beef sector: youth and leadership development, environmental sustainability, and research. “If we want to see our industry thrive in the future we... Read More
It's a topic that fires up debate, almost as hotly contested as issues around pesticides or antibiotics. Should farmland ownership be restricted to prevent foreign ownership or open to all investors? As of today, the consultation process on farmland ownership in Saskatchewan has started, allowing all interested parties to voice their opinions on farmland ownership... Read More
On behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, Members of Parliament Michael Chong and Harold Albrecht today announced an investment of $183, 929 to help ensure the safe transportation of livestock and poultry. "Our Government is proud to support industry-led initiatives that help to ensure the welfare of farm animals in Canada," said Chong. "The transportation... Read More
Update on May 20th: The U.S. House Agriculture Committee, as expected, approved Chair Michael Conoway’s bill to repeal COOL on Wednesday morning by a vote of 38-6. It’s expected the entire House will vote on it in early June. The final ruling from the World Trade Organization against U.S. mandatory country of origin labeling and... Read More