Where to mark the ballot is a tough decision for many us, when we start considering party platforms, the appeal of individual candidates as representatives, and the trustworthiness of party leaders. There are all kinds of issues to think about, from immigration to health, the niqab to the CRA, taxes to trade. And, for those... Read More
Category: Western Canada
Grain is in the absolute best condition it can be when it's put into storage. Keeping it that way is critical for maintaining its value and marketability. Insect infestations aren't as big a problem for farmers in Canada as in other (read: warmer) parts of the world, but they can still cause significant damage. Typically,... Read More
Considering opening up supply management was described by some countries as Canada’s price of admission into the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the result of the TPP negotiations announced on Monday was a “best case scenario,” according to the head of Dairy Farmers of Canada. After spending the last week in Atlanta for the final round of TPP... Read More
"Canada reaches TPP trade deal, will pay out $4.3 billion to farmers" "Harper hails TPP, promises $4.3 billion to protect farmers" "Harper promises $4.3B for dairy farmers" Dairy and poultry farmers across Canada may have been disappointed to see the federal government open the border to more imports in the Trans-Pacific Partnership announcement on Monday,... Read More
The Canadian ag sector has been quick to respond to the conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. Here's a summary of industry and public reactions: General | Dairy | Oilseeds & Specialty Crops | Grain | Beef |Pork | Poultry & Eggs General Canadian Federation of Agriculture CFA is reviewing the details of the... Read More
Noble efforts have been made to try bringing rural and urban Canadians closer. And now, with the Trans Pacific Partnership being signed, expect those efforts to intensify. Agricultural journalists and communications professionals are paying attention to this imperative. “Fixing Fences: Bridging the Rural-Urban Divide” was the theme of the 60th annual Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation... Read More
After more than five years of negotiations, trade ministers and negotiators in Atlanta announced the conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal on Monday morning. Negotiations continued into the night on Sunday, delaying a joint news conference that was originally scheduled for Sunday afternoon. According to New Zealand's trade minister, negotiations on dairy trade only ended... Read More
Grains this week were mixed as the market was chasing weather, export trade data, and harvest headlines. We ended the trading quarter this week, and oats was the biggest loser, dropping 15% over the course of it, followed by Chicago wheat (-12.8%), soybeans (-12.1%), canola (-10.6%), and corn (-10.5%). From a currency perspective, the Canadian... Read More
A U.S. government agency has identified what it believes is the most likely way the devastating PED virus entered the country and infected millions of pigs. The findings are both surprising and a reminder that biosecurity plans must be thorough. The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service considered 17 plausible scenarios that could explain... Read More
Protein premiums or discounts can be a major factor in marketing wheat. In some years there's plenty of high protein wheat (as looks to be the case for 2015-16) and in other years millers are left scrounging for wheat with high enough protein. We asked earlier this week whether yield or protein is a higher... Read More