It’s a topic that fires up debate, almost as hotly contested as issues around pesticides or antibiotics. Should farmland ownership be restricted to prevent foreign ownership or open to all investors? As of today, the consultation process on farmland ownership in Saskatchewan has started, allowing all interested parties to voice their opinions on farmland ownership rules…. Read More
Category: News
On behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, Members of Parliament Michael Chong and Harold Albrecht today announced an investment of $183, 929 to help ensure the safe transportation of livestock and poultry. “Our Government is proud to support industry-led initiatives that help to ensure the welfare of farm animals in Canada,” said Chong. “The transportation… Read More
Update on May 20th: The U.S. House Agriculture Committee, as expected, approved Chair Michael Conoway’s bill to repeal COOL on Wednesday morning by a vote of 38-6. It’s expected the entire House will vote on it in early June. The final ruling from the World Trade Organization against U.S. mandatory country of origin labeling and the threat… Read More
A combination of rain, snow, freezing temperatures and strong winds rolled through the eastern side of the Canadian prairies over the Victoria Day long weekend, leaving farmers wondering about the fate of their crops and when they’ll be able to resume seeding (or begin re-seeding). 70 to 80 percent of this year’s crop is seeded… Read More
The World Trade Organization has once again sided with Canada and Mexico, as the WTO Appellate Body published a fourth and final ruling on U.S. country of origin labeling rules today. The appeal panel decision affirmed earlier rulings saying COOL illegally discriminates against foreign livestock (read the report and findings here). “The United States has used and… Read More
#Plant15 continues at a rapid pace, and it will now include some sugar beet acres in southern Alberta, as growers have settled their contract dispute with Rogers Sugar. The Canadian livestock industry is also awaiting the final ruling from the WTO in the dispute over U.S. country of origin labeling. There’s plenty more on these stories and more… Read More
Southern Manitoba has the right combination of soybean production and soybean meal demand to support a 2,000 tonne per day soybean crushing facility, according to a new report funded by the Canada and Manitoba governments and soybean industry partners. Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers partnered with Soy 20/20 to organize and co-fund the study, which was… Read More
A fourth and final decision from the World Trade Organization on U.S. mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) rules will be announced in the next few days. The WTO has said its decision on the Americans’ latest appeal to maintain COOL will be shared with members no later than May 18th. Another ruling in Canada and Mexico’s favour would… Read More
North Dakota State University’s Research Foundation is warning Canadian farmers about illegal sales of a new hard red spring wheat variety developed at NDSU. FP Genetics Inc. is the only Canadian company allowed to sell the variety known as Elgin-ND. However, NDSU says “some U.S. seedsmen and others may be approaching farmers/entities in Canada to… Read More
Cattle producers will have access to significantly higher borrowing limits under an enhanced Manitoba Livestock Associations Loan Guarantee (MLALG) program, according to Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development minster, Ron Kostyshyn. The borrowing limit for the MLALG program has increased to up to $8 million from $5 million for associations and up to $500,000 from… Read More
The first-ever All-Ontario Judging Competition, presented by the Junior Farmer’s Association of Ontario (JFAO), is slated for May 30, 2015. The event is a competition “celebrating Ontario agriculture and heritage,” say organizers. The competition is open all Ontario residents, and is split into the following age categories: JFAO Members, JFAO Alumni, JFAO Partners, 4-H Members… Read More
Overall farm tractor sales for the month of April in both Canada and the U.S. were up slightly over last year, but combine and 4-wheel-drive tractor purchases remain well off the 2014 sales pace. According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ monthly report, total Canadian farm tractor sales in April 2015 were 3.5 percent higher than in April 2014…. Read More
There’s no question the Canadian Wheat Board is establishing its physical presence in Western Canada, but farmers are still seeking answers to questions about how they will participate in owning the grain business controlled by G3 Global Grain Group — a joint venture between Bunge and a Saudi government investment company. A farmer equity trust… Read More
The Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association today announced that Ryder Lee will take the role of Chief Executive Officer. Lee (@ryder_lee) has lived and worked in Ottawa for the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association since 2005, where he focused on animal care and domestic agriculture policy. He was also a driving force behind the renewal process of the Canadian… Read More
New #wrp MLAs getting ready for their first Official Opposition caucus meeting. #ableg pic.twitter.com/IoflvVjp81 — Team Wildrose (@TeamWildrose) May 11, 2015 Wildrose leader Brian Jean met with his party’s members today, in their first Official Opposition caucus meeting, where he announced the members of the shadow cabinet: Drew Barnes, MLA Cypress – Medicine Hat is the… Read More