The Harmony Beef slaughter plant at Balzac, Alta. halted processing on Friday after an employee who works at the facility tested positive for COVID-19. According to Harmony spokesperson Crosbie Cotton, the company was informed by Alberta Health Services on Thursday that an employee who had not been at work for several days had tested positive…. Read More
On Friday (March 27), the Bank of Canada initiated an emergency key rate cut of 50 bps to 0.25% in an attempt to defend the economy against the impacts of COVID-19. Additionally, the Bank of Canada will expand its balance sheet through purchases of Government of Canada securities to the tune of $5 billion per… Read More
Bayer has opened up the 2020 application intake for two scholarship funds — one for those finishing high school and another for those already enrolled in post-secondary education. The Bayer Crop Science Scholarship for Future Leaders is designed for students who are enrolled in an agriculture bachelor’s degree program at one of six eligible Canadian… Read More
Canada has a new ambassador to the United States. Kirsten Hillman, who has been serving as acting ambassador to the U.S. since August 2019, has been appointed to the key diplomatic post, announced Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday. “Today, we are announcing Kirsten Hillman as our country’s next ambassador to the United States. When… Read More
The Chicken Farmers of Canada have announced its new executive following its recent annual general meeting, and has unveiled a new logo as well. Continuing as chair is Benoît Fontaine, from Stanbridge Station, Que., a chicken and turkey grower. He has served on the board since 2013 and has been chair since 2016. First vice-chair… Read More
Some of Canada’s largest meat processing companies are publicly announcing their COVID-19 response measures in an effort to offer reassurance and transparency to the public and others in the food supply chain. While minimizing the human health risk associated with having a large number of employees working at a single facility is the primary concern,… Read More
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced additional support for farmers and farm businesses, following last week’s announcement of $82 billion in various spending measures in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Parliament will reconvene March 24, 2020, to pass emergency legislation for these previously announced measures, and to release $5 billion in additional lending capacity through Farm… Read More
The last three years in agriculture have been trying times from a profitability perspective, and through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) American producers have received financial assistance in the form of a direct payment for the past two years. Many policy followers suggested that with 2020 being an election year and the Phase One deal… Read More
The Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) has announced Leah Olson as its new chief executive officer, effective April 13, 2020. Olson joins PAMI with 15 years of senior management experience, including director of Sabanto Ag, Intelliconn, and Ag West Bio. She also served as CEO of DOT Technology Corp., CEO of SeedMaster Manufacturing, and president… Read More
Update, as of 11pm EDT Friday, March 20: The Canadian government confirmed late Friday that it will be exempting seasonal agricultural workers from the travel restrictions put in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. “The participation of temporary foreign workers on our farms and our food businesses is absolutely necessary,” says Minister of… Read More
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Bill Morneau have rolled out a series of economic measures to assist Canadian workers and business owners in dealing with the realities of COVID-19. Agriculture was mentioned as the Prime Minister said, “for farmers and our primary food producers we will boost Farm Credit Canada.” “For farmers and… Read More
Grain elevators in both western and eastern Canada are reporting delays in accessing containers to fill for overseas customers. Regular train traffic is catching up after a series of setbacks this winter — a strike, a rock slide on the western tracks, and then blockades — but container traffic is another beast entirely. Container traffic… Read More
Across Canada, farmers, ranchers, and industry look to Statistics Canada to provide information on what is happening in the industry. Whether it is acre intentions, production reports, or export volumes, Stats Can provides another layer of market information to inform decisions being made up and down the agricultural value chain. This is not only the… Read More
The stereotypical Canadian winter can be really tough on citizens of all ages in most of the country. Many farm families jet south for a winter reprieve, and even more have family members that spend the entire winter in warmer regions of the United States. Whether it’s Arizona, Florida, or California, older Canadians love the… Read More
The Canadian fertilizer industry says it’s taking steps to ensure farmers will have access to fertilizer supplies for seeding this spring, as supply chains are impacted by measures to slow down the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Fertilizer Canada, which represents manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of nitrogen, phosphate, potash, and sulphur, says its members have… Read More