We’re not entirely sure how the Beef Market Update started and ended with turkey and the Jays, but the real meat of this week’s podcast centres around how fed cattle prices have dropped, with both the feeder and calf markets following suit. On what we can expect for the rest of the year in the… Read More

“Canada reaches TPP trade deal, will pay out $4.3 billion to farmers” “Harper hails TPP, promises $4.3 billion to protect farmers” “Harper promises $4.3B for dairy farmers” Dairy and poultry farmers across Canada may have been disappointed to see the federal government open the border to more imports in the Trans-Pacific Partnership announcement on Monday,… Read More

The Canadian ag sector has been quick to respond to the conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. Here’s a summary of industry and public reactions: General | Dairy | Oilseeds & Specialty Crops | Grain | Beef |Pork | Poultry & Eggs General Canadian Federation of Agriculture CFA is reviewing the details of the deal to better understand the varied… Read More

Noble efforts have been made to try bringing rural and urban Canadians closer. And now, with the Trans Pacific Partnership being signed, expect those efforts to intensify. Agricultural journalists and communications professionals are paying attention to this imperative. “Fixing Fences: Bridging the Rural-Urban Divide” was the theme of the 60th annual Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation… Read More

Grains this week were mixed as the market was chasing weather, export trade data, and harvest headlines. We ended the trading quarter this week, and oats was the biggest loser, dropping 15% over the course of it, followed by Chicago wheat (-12.8%), soybeans (-12.1%), canola (-10.6%), and corn (-10.5%). From a currency perspective, the Canadian… Read More

There seems to be some confusion regarding the intentions of the Conservative government at the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, particularly in regards to supply management. The entire dairy industry, the federal NDP, federal Liberals, and anyone that would never send a Christmas card to Stephen Harper feel that supply management is bound to be busted… Read More

  Editor’s note: Andrew Campbell, who farms in southern Ontario, served as the moderator for the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s national ag leaders debate on Wednesday. A summary of the debate can be found on our live blog. An open letter to three federal election candidates in my riding: Mr. Bev Shipley (Conservative incumbent) Mr…. Read More

The Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation hosted its annual conference last week, with the theme “Fixing Fences — Bridging the Urban/Rural Divide.” Rob Saik, CEO of Agri-Trend, was one of the panelists in the “Found at the Farm Gate”  Friday afternoon session, and he suggested that one of the first steps to bridging the divide would… Read More

Since the day that the federal election was announced, I have wondered what the future will hold for Gerry Ritz. Now don’t get me wrong Mr. Ritz is going to easily win his riding as there are reports he hasn’t even had to open up a campaign office for his riding. With his seat secure, how could… Read More

Physical challenges used to be the toughest obstacle facing farmers. But thanks mainly to automation and other forms of technology, that’s no longer the case. Still, there’s a sense of stress and anxiety on many farms, even though food production should be getting easier. Why is that? Well, a few theories exist, starting with isolation…. Read More

The role of a provincial agriculture minister is complicated. On one hand, they’re supposed to be loyal to their party and leader and on the other, there’s an expectation that they stand up for farmers and the agriculture sector. It’s easy to point a finger at the flaws and mistakes of a provincial agriculture minister, but… Read More

Even with other major stories percolating — sex education in schools and the federal election among them — the Syrian refugee crisis has thankfully not been nudged off the front pages. Noble and determined efforts are underway everywhere to help the estimated Syrian refugees find new homes. Last week, the Ontario government pledged $10.5 million… Read More

It’s an interesting market for beef producers. While fed cattle are still struggling to find their market low, feeder animals are well above last year’s prices. And cow/calf producers may be feeling relieved, but will good margins be enough to persuade herd expansion? We hand Shaun Haney a bar of soap for this mid-September edition of the Beef… Read More

 

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