“This too shall pass” is a Persian proverb used to encourage hope when times are difficult. Does this saying apply to the current U.S. President’s confrontational approach to allies and friends? Does it apply to the U.S. administration’s isolationist trade policies and tariffs? It probably does apply in the long-term, but today, hope is in… Read More
Author: Cam Dahl
By Cam Dahl, general manager for Manitoba Pork It is not your great-granddaddy’s farm anymore. While some may have nostalgia for the old farm with a little red barn that housed a few chickens, a couple of pigs, and a dairy cow, it is better for both the environment and the economy that agriculture has… Read More
I have a message for every farmer in Manitoba, no matter what crop they grow, or type of animals are under their care — now is the time to engage with all local candidates. Governance matters. On October 3rd, Manitobans will elect 57 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). Every one of them will influence,… Read More
The international agricultural landscape is witnessing a troubling trend towards protectionism. In past eras, protectionism was enabled through prohibitive tariffs that blocked trade. World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations and bilateral trade agreements have largely eliminated tariffs from the protectionists’ toolbox, but, as evidenced by recent events, there are other ways in which trade can be… Read More
There are two ways to get a horse to carry a heavy load. You can hit it with a big stick, or you can provide a reward for work well done. Think of agriculture as the horse, and governments’ sustainability goals as the load farmers are being asked to carry. Too often governments reach for… Read More
This column was submitted to RealAgriculture by Cam Dahl, of the Manitoba Pork Council. What is a farmer’s relationship with environmental and animal welfare certification programs? Would it be right to say that it’s complicated? On one hand, farmers feel targeted by those in the activist community who reject the realities of modern agriculture. No… Read More
Relationships matter. This might sound like a cliché to some, but that does not make it any less true. Agriculture in Western Canada is dependent on trade. Maintaining our relationships with our partners in other countries is one of the most important things agriculture representatives do, and no relationship is more important than with our… Read More