With U.S. shipments of agricultural commodities slowly beginning to resume after a lengthy hiatus due to the a trade war with China, farmers are relying on U.S. President Donald Trump’s negotiating skills to close a deal with China. That’s no small feat as, the deal includes not only a resumption, but also an increase in… Read More
Category: Trade
Canada’s Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister, Lawrence MacAulay is supporting the United Nations’ proclamation of the International Year of Plant Health for 2020. In a news release, MacAulay says the federal government recognizes protecting Canada’s plant resources is vital to food security and Canadians’ wellbeing. “Plants are not only the first link in the food chain, they are… Read More
Gerry Ritz lives by a quiet lake in the northeastern corner of the riding he used to represent in the House of Commons as a Saskatchewan MP and many years as agriculture minister for Stephen Harper. After two decades of life in politics he says his honey-do list is pretty long, but he has very… Read More
Will pulse growers get a great gift of pea export movement in the new year? Will the Canadian dollar get back to tracking crude oil? Will soybeans have another tough year in Western Canada? Chuck Penner, of LeftField Commodity Research, joins RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney for a market melee full of holiday joy and… Read More
There are many challenges that have the potential to dash the business plans and hopes of farmers —from trade agreements, to climate change, and primary risks. Strong government policy is part of the solution. Helping shape effective policy will be one of Dr. Alan Ker’s goals as he assumes the newly-created Research Chair in Agriculture… Read More
The recent WASDE report created barely a ripple in the markets, and now traders are trying to figure what’s going on. The November report is often a bit of a snoozer, and this year is no exception, but the underlying political currents make this year a bit harder to decipher. RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney… Read More
It’s fundamentally understood by most countries around the world that competition is a good thing. It forces countries to be innovative and focused on the competitive factors within its control to be the best they can be as a nation — things like infrastructure, tax and trade policy, and natural resources. Canada has its strengths… Read More
Many times when we talk about trade deals there is immense focus on reducing tariffs, increasing trade flows, or increasing market access. There are other chapters of text that create a basis for the agreement in terms of how the involved countries will handle issues like the environment, labour standards, and cultural exemptions. Carlo Dade,… Read More
The second phase of the Dairy Farm Investment program will start accepting applications in the New Year. The federal program is a five-year, $250-million program to “help Canadian cow’s milk producers improve productivity through upgrades to their equipment.” The government says the program is designed to assist dairy producers adapt to the anticipated impacts of… Read More
There’s no understating just how significant the loss of Canadian pulse exports to India has been this past year. Carl Potts, executive director of the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, says that the organization’s budget — directly funded through a value-based levy — fell short by nearly 40%. It shows just how dire the situation has been… Read More
“Patience is a virtue” – William Langland It’s been six years in the making as the Canadian canola industry waits for the approval of three canola traits for export into the Chinese market — Bayer’s TruFlex (introduced under Monsanto), Optimum Gly, owned by Corteva, and BASF’s Rf3. Whether it’s the opportunity for expanded application windows… Read More
After a couple days of calm, and China finally releasing its thoughts about the dinner between its President Xi and U.S. President Trump, an arrest has put the two countries back on edge. It was announced on Wednesday that over the weekend, Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of Huawei, was arrested at Canada’s Vancouver airport. According to multiple… Read More
In order for Canada’s farmers and agriculture industry to adapt and welcome new technology, the rules and regulations governing the industry must be predictable, fair, and enabling. Pierre Petelle, president and CEO of CropLife Canada, says that a predictable and fair regulatory environment means that Canada remains an attractive market for new products, varieties, or… Read More
In a move designed to “streamline decision making and empower the advocacy committees to build consensus and develop policy positions,” the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) has revamped its structure from a president, vice-president, and executive committee to a chair, vice-chair, and board member organization. Jeff Nielsen, of the Alberta Barley Commission, was elected chair,… Read More
When it comes to policy and politics, is compromise inherently a bad thing? It would seem the expectation on political figures these days is to never back down or never hear from and incorporate the “other side.” But, as former leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Rona Ambrose, explains, “We have to support leaders… Read More