Have you ever tried to solve a problem and the solution you come up with is actually worse than the original problem? Sometimes, in our quest to solve an issue, we fail to realize the full ramifications of the potential solutions we come up with. It’s this kind of chain reaction that makes decision making… Read More
With the Government of Canada planning to implement its vaccine mandate for cross-border truck drivers on Saturday, January 15, and a looming domestic mandate still at play, the agricultural industry is trying to adjust and cope with the impact. Under the more pressing mandate of January 15, unvaccinated Canadian drivers will be allowed back to… Read More
If you’ve been a listener or reader of RealAgriculture for any length of time, you know that I am a massive fan of college football. Monday’s championship game lived up to all expectations. University of Georgia was my pick to win (you can check on Twitter!), so I feel good about that pick because they… Read More
There have been major disruptions to school schedules since March 2020 when the first wave of COVID-19 hit the shores of North America. Students of all ages, from elementary through university, have now faced several stops and starts, the full impacts of which are not even fully understood yet. As provinces such as Alberta and… Read More
Along with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and Attorney General Merrick Garland, U.S. President Joe Biden hosted a roundtable to address consolidation in the meat industry and the impacts on the cattle sector. President Biden opened the roundtable, held January 3, 2022, by mentioning the 50-14 proposed legislation by Tester/Grassley; how… Read More
Now that the federal cabinet has been selected and we have spent the last ten days worrying about the challenges and pin-pointing the potential positives, the agricultural industry needs to step back and build a better game plan when it comes to lobbying. Over time, lobbying for the agriculture industry has transitioned from being focused… Read More
There are many input decisions to be made at any given time on the farm. Some of those decisions have to be made in-crop, such as for crop protection, while others happen well-ahead of the growing season, like those on fertilizer and seed. Based on supply chain issues, major price increases, and potential product shortages,… Read More
The amount of canola acres seeded in 2022 might not only be limited by a lack of soil moisture in spring, but there’s also potential for a shortage of canola seed relative to intended acres. Based on conversations with retailers, seed companies, and farmers, this 2022 season will likely include canola seed supply challenges from… Read More
Price increases and shortages are a stiff reality as farmers plan for the 2022 growing season. While there has been much discussion about the price increase and supply of glyphosate, another widely-used herbicide — Liberty (glufosinate) — can be added to the long list of products seeing a price hike. BASF isn’t expecting issues with… Read More
Throughout COVID and the resulting logistical constraints of the past 18 months, some shortages have been overstated, inflated in their impact, or should have been ignored in hindsight — but the potential for a fertilizer disruption for 2022 is different. Fertilizer is not toilet paper or cheap clothing from China; regardless of prices or supplies… Read More
There are no indications China will be lifting restrictions on Canadian canola imports as a direct response to the exchange of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou for Canadians’ Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, according to the president of the Canola Council of Canada. The two Michaels returned to Canada on Friday following a deal negotiated by… Read More
Many farm shows took an 18-month pause during the pandemic as organizers dealt with provincial and state-level restrictions. As vaccines have rolled out and a new crop year has begun, many people continue to wonder how quickly and to what extent, farm shows will return. When our team talks to farmers, exhibitors, and show organizers,… Read More
Trade is so critical to the health of the Canadian economy. With vast natural resources, millions of acres of farmland, and a growing technology sector, Canada is open for business in the global trade arena. But are we really up to the opportunity in front of us as a nation? Some believe that change is… Read More
Agriculture is a big tent covering many different facets of food and commodity production. From coast to coast, there are so many different farm types, sizes, production systems and end use markets. How we describe ourselves within agriculture usually involves farmer, producer or grower, and for some, rancher, but at the end of the day… Read More
The UN Food Systems Summit is set to take place this fall, and what happens at the summit could very well impact your farm operation. Whether you are in British Columbia or through to Prince Edward Island, this meeting could inform policy back here in Canada and alter what is deemed acceptable practices in here… Read More