There are many ways to gauge growing conditions, estimate yields, and measure exports from overseas, but likely one of the best ways to get a grip on crop production in a foreign land is to ask someone who’s there. Mike Lee, with Green Square Agro Consulting, is an agronomist and crop consultant based in the… Read More
Category: Canadian Agriculture Policy
It has been an immensely fast-paced day in regards to NAFTA 2.0 talks. Monday began with Mexico and the United States agreeing to a bilateral trade deal that was described as an “understanding.” U.S. President Donald Trump alluded to the fact that NAFTA had a very negative meaning for Americans so he would be giving… Read More
The U.S. government announced details of its $12 billion trade aid package on Monday, including nearly $4.7 billion in direct payments to American farmers based on their 2018 production. Direct payments Initial payments will be available on corn, cotton, dairy, hog, sorghum, soybean, and wheat starting September 4. “Early on, the President instructed me, as… Read More
The U.S. government will announce details of its planned US$12 billion trade aid package for the agriculture sector on Monday, according to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. The package, which was first announced in July, will include direct payments to producers to offset the impact of tariffs on U.S. exports. Sources told Agri-Pulse that the preliminary proposal… Read More
Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay is headed out on the second leg of his “Growing Canadian Agriculture” tour, starting in B.C. on Friday. The minister says the tour is an opportunity for him to see and hear firsthand the innovative work being done within the agricultural sector in Canada. “I’m looking forward to head out… Read More
Update: Citing the Conservative Party of Canada’s support for supply management as one of his reasons, Maxime Bernier announced on Thursday afternoon that he has left the party with the intention of starting a new federal conservative party. Delegates are arriving in Halifax for the Conservative Party of Canada’s policy convention where there will be… Read More
There’s new competition coming in the area of farm cash advance administration in Alberta. The Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) has announced it will be launching its own program called “FarmCash” to administer advances for Alberta farmers and ranchers through the federal government’s Advance Payments Program. Starting September 1, 2018, FarmCash will offer interest-free and low… Read More
Health Canada has proposed banning two of the most commonly used neonicotinoid insecticides (neonics) used in Canadian agriculture in the next three to five years following a review of their impact on aquatic insect species. The proposal published on Wednesday would end outdoor agricultural and turf uses for clothianidin, and all outdoor agricultural and ornamental uses… Read More
The number of commodity groups in Manitoba that are exploring the possibility of amalgamating has dropped from five to four. Following a meeting in late July, the Manitoba Corn Growers Association (MCGA), Manitoba Flax Growers Association (MFGA), National Sunflower Association of Canada (NSAC) and the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Association (MWBGA) have decided to continue… Read More
A U.S. lobby group that is closely aligned with the Trump administration on trade policy is trying to bring mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) back into the spotlight through the NAFTA negotiations. The Coalition for a Prosperous America, whose board includes R-CALF USA director Bill Bullard, sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on… Read More
Several provincial and national farm groups say they are disappointed with the Canadian Grain Commission’s plan for dealing with its $130 million surplus, and that it underscores the need to update the federal agency’s mandate. The surplus has accumulated through user fees charged for grain inspection and other services — costs that were ultimately passed… Read More
Canadian wheat and barley exports have been caught in the escalating diplomatic dispute between Canada and Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government issued a notice on Tuesday to stop all purchases of wheat and barley from Canada. While the Saudi market isn’t a major export destination, the impact will likely be felt in the barley market… Read More
Grain Growers of Canada welcomed four new members at the group’s annual summer meeting in Guelph, Ont. last week. Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, and Producteurs de grains du Québec joined the national crop producer policy organization. “From our perspective, GFO needed a strong voice in Ottawa that represented farmers,” noted GFO CEO… Read More
The federal environment minister made a rare and unpublicized visit to a grain farm in Manitoba on Thursday. Minister Catherine McKenna dropped in at Curtis McRae’s farm north of Winnipeg near St. Andrews on her way back from a funding announcement for Lake Winnipeg in Gimli. A film crew arrived about an hour before the… Read More
Although the European Union is currently experiencing significant political shifts within its body of countries, it is still one of the world’s leading economic blocks and is very attractive to exporters from around the world. Its history of protectionism, with tariffs and import quotas on agricultural products, is well documented. This makes trade with the… Read More