If you farm across the southern prairies, you are unfortunately no stranger to the lack of moisture in 2021. High market prices at the start of the year caused many to eliminate some risk on their farm by locking in some grain for the end of the season. However, Mother Nature has taken her toll,... Read More
Category: Western Canada
The federal finance department has scrapped its plan to delay implementation of legislation passed by Parliament that would reduce the tax burden for intergenerational transfers of small businesses, such as family farms. Bill C-208, the private member's bill that was sponsored by Manitoba Conservative MP Larry Maguire, received Royal Assent before Parliament rose for the... Read More
The American Meat Science Association (AMSA) has announced Dr. Phyllis Shand as the 2021 AMSA Industry & Organizational Leadership Award recipient. Shand is a professor of meat and food science in the department of food and bioproduct sciences at the University of Saskatchewan whose research program focuses on physicochemical, biochemical, and functional aspects of muscle... Read More
Pierre Lampron has been re-elected to a third term as president of Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC). An organic dairy farmer from Mauricie, Quebec, Lampron was re-elected during DFC's annual general meeting, which was held virtually on July 13-14. "I would like to thank dairy farmers for putting their trust in me once again," he... Read More
Ministers of agriculture from federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) governments across Canada discussed how to respond to the drought and wildfires in Western Canada on Thursday, in what may have been their final meeting before a federal election, if one is called in the coming weeks. The ministers also continued their discussions on changes to... Read More
A familiar face is returning as Manitoba's agriculture minister. Ralph Eichler, who served as the province's ag minister from 2016 to 2019, has been sworn in as minister of agriculture and resource development as part of a small cabinet shuffle announced by Premier Brian Pallister on Thursday (July 15). Eichler replaces his successor and long-time... Read More
The Alberta government is partnering with the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, Alberta Beef Producers, and Alberta Cattle Feeders' Association to undertake a competitiveness study that will provide strategic insights and data for the beef cattle industry. Announced July 14, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Devin Dreeshen says that collaborating with industry is vital to growing and... Read More
The Government of Saskatchewan has responded to the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association's request for drought assistance. Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit announced July 14 that Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) will implement measures to address dry conditions impacting producers. Effective immediately, changes will be made to allow low yielding crops to be put to alternate... Read More
Update, as of July 14: Both CN and CP once again halted traffic in the area around Lytton, B.C. on Wednesday due to new fires east of the community. "For the safety of our crews, we are not currently running trains between Kamloops and Lytton, B.C.," says CN in a network update distributed July 14.... Read More
Editor's note: The Government of Saskatchewan announced changes to crop insurance and some program changes after this story was published. See those changes here. The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) and other producer groups are calling on provincial and federal governments to take immediate action and support Prairie livestock producers who are facing drought conditions.... Read More