By Shaun Haney This week I am on holidays and have been enjoying the fresh BC fresh air and boating on the lake at any chance we can. Even though we are on holidays there is always time for a great half day field tour of some of the local agricultural production. On top of… Read More
Category: Ag Policy
I have been thumbing through the Ontario Farmer lately and it continues to strike me that there seems to be a lack of contentious issue in Ontario this year. Are the crops to good? Is the newly created GFO doing the perfect job? Are farmers making so much money they cannot stand the pains of… Read More
How many of you have been at an agricultural meeting and heard the phrase, “the industry needs to speak with one voice.” At first glance this would seem like a very plausible and likely strategy but lets really think about this and analyze it. Do you really think that the cattle lobby will ever really… Read More
As we discuss quite often in the Beef Market Update with Anne Dunford, Canada is very dependent on the ability to export beef. As everyone knows the market place changed in 2003 when the first case of BSE was discovered in Canada. Over time Canada has been battling to regain its export markets to normalize… Read More
Earlier this week I published an interview with David Sippell the President of CSTA regarding Bill C-474. Some people emailed me with positive and negative responses to the bill. I decided to find out more by interviewing the man that has initiated this private members bill. This also answers criticism from some of you that… Read More
At the ISF 2010 World Seed Congress last week I had the chance to talk to Dave Sippell, President of the Canadian Seed Trade Association about the potential impacts of Bill C-474. Dr. Sippell discusses the Canadian Seed Trade’s position and why they think this bill would be putting the future of Canadian seed innovation… Read More
We have no shortage of farmer led groups in Canada. Almost every crop has a growers association that represents their interests in Ottawa, tries to create demand for the commodity with end users and consumers, supports the agronomics of the crop and provides services to the members. Many times this can feel disjointed and does… Read More
Last week the Alberta government released the information on a new age verification incentive program. Outside of Quebec, Alberta is the only province to have mandatory age verification. The data shows that even though the process is mandatory below 70% are actually getting RFID tagged. This is concerning to the province and required a response…. Read More
The federal government is proposing to change who is eligible to vote in the upcoming Canadian Wheat Board Election. My understanding is currently that if you have or had a permit book you could vote. The proposed change would require a farmer to at least deliver 40MT of production from one of the seven major… Read More
The one thing that stays consistent is that if you are in the cattle feeding business your really need to be able to stomach volatility and adverse affects that are outside of your realm of control as a producer. The snow storm has had a real impact on the cattle in the yards along with… Read More
Have you heard of CIGI? Do you know what CIGI does? Does the Canadian International Grain Institute make a difference for Canadian farmers and industry? You bet!!! I recently stopped at CIGI’s office in Winnipeg and had a great time learning about what CIGI is and what they do. I had what I thought was… Read More
This week I attended the Canada Grains Council Meeting and listened to a very interesting day of reports on the market access issues that Canada is facing. Unless you have been in Phoenix all winter I am sure that you have not missed the whole Triffid flax issue that has thrown a real wrench in… Read More
At the recent Canada Grains council meeting a listened to a full day of discussions around Canada’s market access issues across all the main crop types. The recent market access issues with canola are well documented and continue to challenge the countries trade attempts. With 85-95% of Canada’s canola crop getting exported, trade is very… Read More
What does it mean to farm? Why do it? For many, it is a question of passion. Passion for the lifestyle €“ the satisfaction of working the land; the freedom to be your own boss in a world that€™s not constricted by office walls and collared shirts; the day-to-day enjoyment of hard work and fresh… Read More
While in London Ontario for the Innovative Farmers of Ontario meeting I listened to a keynote speech given by Dennis DesRosiers. Dennis is a highly respected automobile industry analyst and he gave a breakdown of what has put the auto sector behind the financial eight ball. The purpose was for farmers in attendance to draw… Read More