If there’s one thing farmers want less of, it’s paperwork. However, in the current climate of “don’t just say you’re doing the right thing — prove it,” verification programs and the corresponding administration are on the rise. Verification and best management practice programs are not new for Canadian farmers, from the Environmental Farm Plan, to… Read More

Five Prairie wheat and barley groups have “significant concerns” surrounding the Seed Variety Use Agreement pilot project recently announced by the Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) and the Canadian Plant Technology Agency (CPTA). The Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association (MWBGA), Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat), Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley), and the Alberta… Read More

Although there are still talks happening behind closed doors, progress of the business risk management program (BRM) review feels as though it’s slow-moving. At this year’s CropConnect conference held at Winnipeg, Man., the topic was acknowledged by federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, but there was no mention of action — which is what most are… Read More

Starting this month, the Farm Freedom and Safety Act (FFSA) has come into effect. Put in place by the Alberta Government, the Act — known as Bill 26 — is a replacement of Bill 6, introduced by the previous NDP government. In it, there’s changes to current employment, workers compensation coverage (WCB), and occupational health… Read More

We’ve seen results from an early-campaign survey on what Canadians are worried about in regards to food, and we’ve heard from each of the four main parties heading into this federal election. But what I want to know is, what are YOUR priorities, Canadian agriculture? As media, I watched the debate, I interviewed Sylvain Charlebois… Read More

Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) has secured funding from the AgriRisk Initiative Program under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to investigate the feasibility of a production insurance program for the sheep industry and wants producer input for its development. The key outcome of this project will be recommendations on whether production insurance is feasible and affordable for… Read More

Beginning in 2020, Farm Management Canada is launching a new National Farm Leadership Program, created with LeaderShift Inc. The 11-week course is a blend of online and in-person training, including a three-day residency seven weeks into the curriculum. Participants can expect to spend about four hours per week on coursework, and participants will have their… Read More

Farming and ranching organizations across western Canada are collaborating with a University of Waterloo research project to better understand producers preferences when it comes to conservation programs. Research lead, Dr. Jeremy Pittman says a big question they’re hoping to answer is how they can make both agriculture and species at risk thrive on Canadian landscapes…. Read More