With the European Union granting its conditional approval in late March, and U.S. antitrust authorities reportedly set to give their thumbs-up signal, Canada’s competition regulator has yet to issue its decision on Bayer’s proposed acquisition of Monsanto. The US$66 billion deal, which was originally announced in September 2016, has significant implications in the Canadian market,… Read more »
Category: Eastern Canada
Snow and ice weighing on an already struggling calf crop
It’s been a difficult — if not devastating — start to the year for many in the agricultural community. And just when areas of North America were finally seeing a respite, and what could possibly have been called spring-like conditions, we’re hit with another round of ice pellets, freezing rain, rain, and/or snow. For ranchers,… Read more »
Changing minds by changing yours: influencing consumers’ opinions on agriculture
Are you willing to change your mind when you discuss agriculture and food issues with people who don’t agree with your point of view? On some level, most people in agriculture engage in conversations with family, friends, and colleagues on a range of issues – everything from conventional versus organic agriculture, to the right to… Read more »
Monsanto BioAg BioAdvantage Trial – 2017 results
The third year of Monsanto BioAg’s BioAdvantage Trials (BAT) wrapped up with a morning event that had co-operators, agronomists, and reps feeling optimistic for the growing season to come. The event was held in Saskatoon, the home of partner brand Novozymes’ headquarters and a hub for Western Canadian Ag. The event would update attendees on… Read more »
Place your bets — This week in the grain markets
Grain markets were volatile this week with prices flip-flopping on what was more concerning — geopolitical risk or weather. Much less concerning were most of the largely market-anticipated USDA numbers. Some notable data-points from this week’s WASDE (World Agricultural Supply and Demands Estimates): Russia’s wheat exports raised by 1 MMT to 38.5 million (a record);… Read more »
Optimism and urgency in Mexico for possible NAFTA agreement-in-principle
News of Canada, Mexico, and the United States possibly reaching an agreement-in-principle in North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations in the next few weeks is creating optimism in Mexico. “The whole issue has gotten lots of attention lately,” says José Díaz-Briseño, the U.S.-Mexico correspondent for the Mexico City-based Reforma newspaper, in the following interview. Earlier this… Read more »
Kiwi milking parlours come to Canada
Look for more Canadian milk to be passing though Kiwi-made milking parlours in the years ahead. That’s according to New Zealand-based Waikato Milking Systems’ CEO Dean Bell, who brought his company to Stratford, ON, this month to exhibit for the first time at the Canadian Dairy XPO. The New Zealand dairy industry currently supplies one-third of… Read more »
Kubota plans new head office and warehouse build in Ontario
Kubota Canada Ltd. is moving to a new facility located in Pickering, Ontario, which should be completed by the end of 2019. A new 565,000 square-foot facility will house the company’s Canadian head office and warehouse, a move away from the Markham, ON, location it has operated out of since 1975. The $67 million investment… Read more »
Use active math when evaluating nitrogen stabilizers
When growing corn, many farmers utilize nitrogen stabilizers to protect their fertilizer investment. Agrotain has become a popular stabilizer choice for its ability to inhibit nitrification and protect nitrogen from ammonia volatilization. There are also products that protect against losses from denitrification and nitrate leaching. AGRIS Co-operative agronomist Dale Cowan says farmers can see a yield… Read more »
6 tips for accessing government grants
If government funding announcements leave you scratching your head on whether or not you’re eligible, you’re not alone. Actual announcements are usually high on ten dollar words and low on concrete details. There’s a reason for that: often, the actual announcement is made long before details are even hammered out. And, as with many programs… Read more »
Register now for herbicide resistance management webinar
From Australia to the United States to Canada, herbicide resistance has farmers around the world wondering about best management strategies. On Thursday, April 12, Shaun Haney will be moderating a webinar offered by BASF that will shed some light on this very important topic. During the 2018 Herbicide Resistance Management Webinar, you’ll hear the latest… Read more »
Canadian Agricultural Partnership: Ontario details and deadlines you need to know
Programs offered in Ontario under the new Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) are now open for applications for cost-share funding. CAP, a five-year federal-provincial-territorial initiative, supports Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sectors through cost-share funding opportunities. It’s modelled on the previous Growing Forward 2 program, but there are differences, explains Margaret May, regional program lead for the Ontario Soil and… Read more »
Announced high speed rail will split farms in half, isolate rural communities
Last week, the Ontario government formally announced the blueprint for bringing high speed rail (HSR) to southern Ontario. The $11 billion line item in last month’s election-ready budget would see Phase One connect London and Toronto by 2025, according to the province. The proposed HSR line would eventually run all the way to Windsor for… Read more »
Team Alberta launches online sustainability assessment tool and resource library
A group of four crop commissions in Alberta has launched an online farm sustainability readiness assessment tool today, in an effort to advance on-farm sustainability in the country. Through their new website, Team Alberta (made up of Alberta Barley, Alberta Canola, Alberta Pulse Growers and Alberta Wheat Commission) provides three self-assessment questionnaires, learning and action-planning… Read more »
Dairy price study finds Canadians don’t pay more for milk
A former senior advisor for a Canadian trade minister has published a report that will raise some eyebrows and counter a common narrative surrounding Canadian dairy and the supply management system. The study, published last week by a new Ottawa-based trade firm called Export Action Global, found Canadians don’t pay more for comparable dairy products… Read more »