When it comes to market access woes, the pulse industry has had its share. India “It was 2004 when India introduced some issues around stem and bulb nematode – so that’s fifteen years we’ve been working with India trying to get that issue resolved,” says Gordon Bacon, CEO of Pulse Canada. “And of course India’s… Read More
From early frost to widespread drought, farmer Cherilyn Nagel’s crop potential is far from “hitting it out of the park,” and beyond that, she has further external stress. “Everything that we grow is destined for an export market,” says Nagel. “And that’s always been the case, there’s nothing new about that, but now more than… Read More
After ice blocked many ships from reaching ports in April, the latest numbers show that cargo shipments via the St. Lawrence Seaway rebounded in May. According to The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, shipments from March 22 to May 31 totalled 8.3 million metric tons, equaling last year’s performance. Tim Heney, CEO of Thunder Bay… Read More
The 106th Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) annual general meeting was held this past week in Moose Jaw, Sask. More than 100 ranchers and industry from across the province came to the convention held on Monday to hear from keynote speakers with the formal AGM held on Tuesday. “We had a very productive AGM adopting… Read More
As the Canadian government continues to look outside of China for exports, Export Development Canada (EDC) has announced an additional $150 million to its insurance for Canadian canola exporters. According to a news release, the added money will help exporters manage the risks and uncertainties that come with exploring new markets. “As Canada’s export credit… Read More
What do Canadians think of our agriculture and agri-food industry as the calendar closes in on a federal election later this year? A new poll published this week by Grassroots Public Affairs offers insight into Canadian public opinion on a range of agricultural issues and policies. Overall, Grassroots principal and senior consultant Peter Seemann says… Read More
As tensions remain high between China and North American countries, it appears as though China will be taking another step to strengthen inspections of imported meat from Canada. The news broke Tuesday afternoon from RealAg Radio regular, Kelsey Johnson of Reuters. In her article, she points out: A Canadian agriculture ministry notice seen by Reuters… Read More
Citing the government’s commitment to Canadian farmers and farm families, Minister of International Trade Diversification, Jim Carr, is headed to South Korea and Japan. The trade mission will also include Jeremy Harrison, trade and export development minister for Saskatchewan, along with Tanya Fir, trade and tourism minister for Alberta. “This trade mission to Japan and… Read More
Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) has requested financial support for its members from the government due to trade disruption between North America and China. The U.S. trade battle with China has created a concerning scenario for Canadian prices and market access. Last week, the United States unveiled plans to provide U.S. growers with financial support… Read More
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed Vice President Mike Pence to Ottawa today. This was the first time the Pence has been in the nation’s capital, and the country, with his current title. During time with the media, the prime minister told reporters, “millions of families on both sides of the border depend on the Canada-U.S…. Read More
The trade war between the U.S. and China has been a stress point for many people in agriculture. Soybeans are continually the focus of any discussion involving agriculture and China because of the appetite that the Chinese have had for the protein source. It is difficult to determine how much of the price fluctuation in… Read More
The United States and Canada have found a truce on the steel and aluminum tariffs which, as promised, presents a window to ratify USMCA (NAFTA 2.0) before the fall. As export-related agricultural commodity organizations push for a Canadian ratification of the USMCA agreement, the Dairy Farmers of Canada is asking the Canadian government to tap… Read More
The White House announced a second direct payment program this week for American farmers that have suffered loss of market access due to the U.S.’s trade war with China. The program totals US$16 billion and covers a majority of crops and livestock produced in the U.S. At the same time, Canadian producers are just as… Read More
The Canadian beef market is enjoying a record-setting export pace for the first three months of 2019. Last week’s announcement of Japan accepting beef from over-thirty-months of age cattle is a real bonus to an already great bull run. Fawn Jackson, senior manager of government and international relations for the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, says that… Read More
In somewhat of a landslide victory, Narendra Modi has secured another five year term as the Prime Minister of India. As one of the milestones influencing the country’s strategy on pulse crop import tariffs, the federal election is big news for the international agriculture community. Now that it’s over, should Canadian pulse growers expect a… Read More