By Karen Proud In the fall of 2022 the world’s population cracked 8 billion and we are projected to hit 8.5 billion by 2030, a year that coincides with many ambitious climate objectives. One of those objectives is a voluntary target of reducing GHG emissions from the application of nitrogen fertilizer by 30 per cent… Read More
Author: Guest Author
This op-ed was written by Tyler McCann, managing director of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, and it coincides with the launch of the new Ag Policy Connection podcast. Episode 1 focuses on the origin and future of Canada’s Ag Policy Framework. You can listen to it here, on Spotify, or in any podcast app. Whether… Read More
Extreme high temperatures are hitting many parts of central North America, increasing the potential for heat stress in cattle, warns Karl Hoppe, North Dakota State University livestock systems specialist. “One day of heat stress is uncomfortable, but two or more days back to back without night cooling can be deadly for livestock,” says Hoppe. “Signs… Read More
By John McGregor, extension support for Manitoba Forage and Grasslands Association Supply shortages have become almost the norm for most of us. From the infamous toilet paper shortage back in 2020 to hay shortages presently, living with and planning for supply disruptions are becoming all too common. On the agricultural side, we read about supply… Read More
This column was written by Greg Northey, with Pulse Canada, prior to the flooding of B.C.’s Fraser Valley. If Canada wants to address climate change in the now, we can start by fixing the current supply chain issues plaguing our exporters and driving up the cost of living for us all. The global container shortage not… Read More
By Denis Tremorin The COP26 Summit brought together countries from around the world to discuss new targets to mitigate climate change and the methods required to meet them. There is no shortage of opinions, and more often than not, the discourse moves quickly into supporting one sector at the expense of another. The end result… Read More
By Bill Greuel Canada needs to stop being comfortable. That’s a bold statement, but one I believe to be true if we are going to reach the ambitious targets our agrifood sector aspires to. We often talk about Canada taking our place atop the podium as the most reliable and preferred supplier of safe, nutritious… Read More
By John McGregor With calls for a searing, west-approaching heat wave bearing down on us this week and next, the moisture situation across the province remains pointed at a significant moisture deficient with our hay and pasture fields. A very well-timed rain in late June brought a bit of relief at the time, however, it… Read More
By Pierre Petelle We hear a lot about regenerative agriculture these days, but everyone has their own definition of what this term means. Some of these definitions focus too closely on practices and not on outcomes. At the end of the day, it’s all about soil health. I would define regenerative agriculture as any approach… Read More
By Meagan Murdoch In early February, Calgary-based cookbook author Julie Van Rosendaal asked on social media whether anyone else had noticed that butter is no longer soft at room temperature. Her question helped spark a national and international conversation about Canadian butter. To some it probably seemed like a light-hearted conundrum against the backdrop of… Read More
This post first appeared on Dr. Frank Mitloehner’s blog and is re-posted with permission. Hold the pickle, hold the lettuce, hold the methane? A new communication campaign from Burger King is promising beef that comes from cows that are 33 percent less gassy on average, allowing the international fast-food chain’s consumers to have it their way without… Read More
By Ghislain Gervais, president of Sollio Cooperative Group During the lockdown, Canadians showed a renewed interest in Canadian agricultural products. This increased consumer enthusiasm for their agri-food sector provides an opportunity to reinvest in agriculture and food processing. Everywhere, thousands of jobs have been suspended or lost across many sectors. The gradual resumption of economic… Read More
A guest editorial by Cam Dahl, president of Cereals Canada There have been some unexpected impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of these is the new celebrity status of our Chief Medical Health Officers. A lot of people, who just a few short months ago were not aware that every province had a Chief Medical… Read More
By Michael von Massow The Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) recently launched an advertising campaign to lobby for federal support for grains and oilseeds producers. There has been considerable discussion in social media and other fora regarding financial support for the Canadian agricultural sector. Many groups were disappointed with the size of the federal government… Read More
Submitted by the Western Canadian Wheat Growers In the midst of a global pandemic, the federal government is using April Fool’s Day to increase the carbon tax from $20/tonne to $30/tonne. At a time when hundreds of thousands of people are being laid off and many businesses are at least temporarily closing, the tax on… Read More