The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has released an update on reported mystery seed packages. Over 750 individuals from across all 10 provinces have received mystery packages of seeds. Information that the CFIA has collected, to date, includes: packages postmarked from several countries and are declared as toys or jewelry; seeds are from a range… Read More
In the food business, there is likely no more ruthless arena than the grocery store. A recent move by Walmart to impose new costs on suppliers has prompted a group of food and beverage organizations to call on the federal government to step in and regulate the grocery industry. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Dairy… Read More
Grain Farmers of Ontario is asking the government to improve the programs put in place to help farmers if their businesses are in a loss position because of the pandemic. GFO is asking the government to fully fund the Risk Management program in Ontario, to restore the AgriStability program to 85 per cent (vs 75… Read More
Canada West Harvest Centre has announced plans to open a CLAAS dealership at Kindersley, Sask., this fall. It will be the company’s fifth location in the province. Canada West Harvest Centre offers the full line of CLAAS equipment, and has locations at Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, and Yorkton. “We are excited to further expand our… Read More
The Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) has announced it will be administering federal cash advance payments for Manitoba farmers, assuming a service that had been offered by the provincial corn growers association. The new multi-commodity group was formed as of August 1, 2020 following the amalgamation of five Manitoba commodity groups, including the Manitoba Corn Growers… Read More
Ontario Sheep Farmers is accepting registration for its Master Shepherd’s Course until August 14, 2020. The 18-month professional development course consists of 12, 2-day modules that cover: Business planning; Flock productivity and reproduction; Ewe flock nutrition; Industry dynamics and governance; Genetics; Infrastructure and feeding systems; Effective flock health management; Lambing and lamb rearing; Predation and… Read More
Organizers of the Canadian Poultry XPO (CPX) have announced the inaugural event will not go forward this November. Instead, the event will be held November 3-4, 2021, at Stratford, Ont. All payments for exhibit space and sponsorship for CPX 2020 now carry forward to CPX 2021. All exhibitors and sponsors will receive a 10 per… Read More
Investors continue to see potential in agtech, as Farmers Business Network (FBN) has secured US$250 million in funding from a group of new and existing investors. The Series F funding for FBN, announced on Monday, was led by funds managed by New York-based BlackRock Inc., with participation from new investors Baron Capital Group, Balyasny Asset… Read More
As part of the Alberta government’s $10 million Irrigation Rehabilitation Program, the St. Mary’s River Irrigation District (SMRID) will receive an allotted $2.6 million in funds to address water infrastructure. The irrigation district provides water for irrigation and agricultural operations, municipal use, recreation and wildlife and habitat enhancement. “Crumbling infrastructure on the St. Mary River… Read More
The government of Ontario has pledged a $2.35 million investment to the University of Guelph (U of G) for advanced animal research related to livestock health, well-being, and productivity. Designed to enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of the Ontario livestock sector, the research will provide farmers with the latest knowledge and on-farm solutions for safely… Read More
Health Canada has confirmed that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-refined canola oil is safe for human consumption. The highly refined oil is derived from Nuseed’s omega-3 canola. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has also determined that DHA canola crude oil and meal are safe for aquaculture and livestock feed, respectively. The organization also confirmed the omega-3… Read More
With the World Trade Organization’s dispute settlement process in tatters, Canada is among a group of 23 WTO members that are trying to apply a band-aid solution for settling trade disputes amongst themselves. The group, which also includes Australia, China, the European Union, and Mexico, announced on Monday (August 3) that its temporary arrangement is… Read More
To protect the health and safety of Canadian and migrant farm workers, the government of Canada has been working with municipal, provincial, and territorial governments, as well as farmers, workers, and other employers who participate in the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program. No matter what precautions are taken, it’s inevitable that some farms are going… Read More
Second quarter earnings reports are being released, and the numbers tell the tale of farm equipment manufacturers and dealers struggling to maintain sales of new iron. AGCO — the parent company of Fendt, Massey Ferguson, Gleaner, and Challenger — and Caterpillar both reported net sales down compared to the same time last year. AGCO says… Read More
After setting a new grain shipping record in the 2019-20 crop year, CN Rail is raising the bar on the number of grain cars it’s committing to move on a weekly basis in the new crop year, which begins August 1, 2020. In CN’s federally-mandated grain shipping plan for 2020-2021 published this week, the railway… Read More