This op-ed was submitted by Daniel Ramage, director of market development with Cereals Canada Implementing legislation for the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is now in Parliament. Canada has a chance to demonstrate much-needed leadership and cooperation on trade with like-minded global partners. It is imperative for parliament to pass this legislation before its… Read more »
Category: Opinion
Poll: Is it positive for the GMO debate for Bayer to retire the name Monsanto?
The name Monsanto is headed for retirement. Bayer has confirmed it will no longer use the name after it closes its US$63 billion acquisition of Monsanto. Monsanto has been the target of anti-GMO activists for years, serving as a corporate lightning rod for critics of genetic modification and crop protection technology in general. Whether referenced… Read more »
Trudeau confirms flexibility on dairy in NAFTA talks, but what does that mean?
The Canadian government was on the media offensive this past weekend, after the U.S. administration applied steel and aluminum tariffs to imports from Canada while justifying the move as a national security issue. “What you are saying to us and all of your NATO allies is that we somehow represent a national security threat to… Read more »
Carbon tax fails to recognize farming’s worth
A funny thing happened on the way to carbon pricing in Canada. What looked like smooth sailing has run into some very turbulent waters. Farmers, for example, are raising serious questions about its practicality, effectiveness, fairness, and cost. One concern is the lack of clarity when discussing agriculture’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Various agriculture… Read more »
In 30 years, will farming be as controversial as oil & gas is now?
I read a column recently that made my stomach drop, just a little. The article, a sign-off from seasoned journalist Claudia Cattaneo, showcased not just her career spent covering the oil and gas sector, but also highlighted the current lack of in-depth, credible reporting on a controversial industry. As I read the following, I noticed… Read more »
Let’s keep family in the family farm
The agricultural industry is changing very quickly on many fronts. Whether it is risk management, human resources, or the latest in technology, farming is becoming more complex all of the time. With all the rapid change around us the one thing that seems to be consistent is the role that family plays in making up… Read more »
Acquiring top farm talent through new-to-agriculture strategies
We recently posted a new episode of our Mind Your Farm Business podcast that focuses on human resource management. In conversation with four farmers across Canada we dug deep into topics like recruiting talent and methods to retaining the top performers. Not only were the farmers from a diverse geographic region, but their strategies for managing… Read more »
You’re right to be terrified of the word “fair”
“Fair” must be one of the most commonly used words in the English language. It most certainly is one of the most dangerous. It gets used and thrown around with reckless abandon every day. Don’t believe me? Here’s are some examples: Farm succession: “Let’s make sure we split up the farm so it’s fair for… Read more »
Liberals missing out on an easy win by not ratifying CPTPP
Canada signed its name on the dotted line at the CPTPP signing ceremony in Chile on March 6th, 2018. But unfortunately, agriculture and other interested parties cannot afford to take pressure off the government. The deal will take effect when six of the eleven participating countries have ratified it. So if Canada drags its feet… Read more »
Farmers calling a bluff on trade disruptions, based on StatsCan seeding intention report
The issue: Taking a look at Friday’s StatsCan report, it looks like Canadian farmers are calling the bet on geopolitical trade disruptions. It appears farmers essentially see existing and potential trade barriers as a bluff worth calling in favour of other factors. Some examples: Durum – Even though there has not been a load of… Read more »
Trump revives U.S. agriculture’s CPTPP hopes, at no cost
President Donald Trump revived the U.S. agriculture industry’s hopes of participating in the trade deal now known as CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) on Thursday, but until there’s concrete action showing he’s serious, U.S. farmers and CPTPP member countries, including Canada, should not get too excited. The president is well aware that… Read more »
Sitting on the right side of the fence on a trade war with China
This week has been laced with trade threats, drama, and fear for agricultural commodity markets, all based on the possibility of a trade war between the U.S. and China. Most economists agree that though a trade war has yet to start, there is a serious flirtation with one. And no matter what President Trump tells… Read more »
CFIA now says Non-GMO Project Verified doesn’t mean non-GMO
After forcing some companies to change their labels over complaints of the Non-GMO Project Verified seal, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) now says the “butterfly” label does not imply a non-GMO claim. The regulatory enforcement change came last year, after complaints poured in from across the country regarding products that featured the Non-GMO Project… Read more »
Agriculture commodities caught in China-U.S. tit-for-tat tariff threats
When you feel that you have nothing to lose, you are at your most dangerous. With China proposing steep tariffs on U.S. pork, soybeans, cotton, tobacco, frozen orange juice, and corn, the market is trying to determine the probability this all comes to fruition as the bluster heats up. When you’re already $500 Billion DOWN,… Read more »
Staking a claim for ag in the social media jungle
Marketing and farming go hand in hand, says UK communications specialist Simon Haley. In a swing through Ontario that starts later this week, he’ll be urging farmers to use their intrinsic marketing skills to get back in touch with consumers. “Farming is where marketing started,” says Haley. But over the years – as nations became… Read more »