The federal government thinks too many Canadians are using private corporations as tax-advantaged personal savings accounts, and so it’s proposing having much higher tax rates apply to income that comes from investments made within a company. For an incorporated farm business, this “passive” investment income might include returns from GICs, mutual funds, stocks, bonds, or… Read more »
Category: Western Canada
Uncertainty in Canadian pulse industry, as latest fumigation exemption nears end
The latest three-month exemption to India’s rules requiring fumigation of pulse crops is nearing its expiration date, and Canadians are no nearer to an understanding of what, exactly, that might mean. “As of today, we don’t know what India’s policy is going to be for bills of lading that are dated October 1 or later,… Read more »
New residual herbicide tackles resistant weeds
Canadian corn and soybean growers have a new tool to tackle resistant and tough-to-control weeds. Zidua SC, a new Group 15 herbicide from BASF, will be available in 2018. Deven Esqueda, BASF corn and soybeans crop manager, says the herbicide is labelled for use in herbicide-tolerant soybeans and field corn. With the active ingredient pyroxasulfone,… Read more »
Tax change answers — Part 1: Income splitting
There’s a reason most farms pay accountants to provide tax planning advice. Taxes are complicated. Add multiple pages of new information, unclear definitions, ‘tax cheat’ accusations, some emotional rhetoric, and it’s a challenge, even for accountants, to assess what Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s proposed tax changes could mean for an individual farm business. We’re going… Read more »
National priorities laid out for Canadian wheat research
Canada’s wheat industry, working together with the federal government, laid out its priorities for research in a national report unveiled at press conference in Saskatoon on Tuesday. Led by Cereals Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the 2017 Canadian Wheat Research Priorities Report is being described as the first time the wheat industry has come… Read more »
Bill Morneau calls Saskatchewan farmer to talk about tax changes
Finance Minister Bill Morneau asked several Opposition MPs to send him contact information for Canadians concerned about the Liberals’ proposed tax reforms during Question Period on Monday, saying he would call these individuals personally. After hearing Morneau say this, some farmers and small business owners picked up the phone to call the minister, only to… Read more »
10 farmers running in SaskWheat director election
The Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission will be holding an election this fall, as 10 farmers are running for four positions on the SaskWheat board of directors. Here are the nominees: Daryl Fransoo (Meota) William (Bill) Gehl (Regina) Brett Halstead (Nokomis) Jake Leguee (Weyburn) Rodney Luhning (Lumsden) Patricia Lung (Humboldt) Ken Rosaasen (Saskatoon) Trevor Scherman (Battleford)… Read more »
Enlist corn ready to go for 2018
After years of patiently waiting for market approvals, Dow AgroSciences’ Enlist corn hybrids are heading to farm fields in 2018. The company showed off eight of the 16 hybrids it will make available for 2018 planting at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock, Ontario. Dow Seeds portfolio marketing leader Marty Vermey explains that the program… Read more »
Rising cost of food still a top concern for Canadians
The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity published its 2017 public trust survey results on Tuesday, coinciding with the second annual Public Trust Summit taking place in Calgary. The research finds the top concerns for Canadians revolve, primarily, around the affordability of food. The work was built on the foundation of previous studies of consumer attitudes…. Read more »
A blockbuster for Sask. organic pea processing
With growing demand for plant-based protein, Academy award-winning film director James Cameron and his wife Suzy Amis Cameron are getting into the pulse crop business in Western Canada. The Camerons joined Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall on Monday to celebrate the launch of their new company, Verdient Foods Inc., and its new pea processing facility at… Read more »
Choosing the right cultivator for your farm
What should farmers look for when planning to purchase a new cultivator? There’s been plenty of cultivator innovation in recent years that farmers need to consider, says agronomist Pat Lynch, who hosted the annual tillage demonstration at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock, Ontario. This year manufacturers showed off secondary cultivation units set to finish… Read more »
14 independent ag retailers form alliance with Australian counterparts
Driven by consolidation in the crop input sector, 14 independent ag retailers in Western Canada are joining forces with a group of crop input suppliers in Australia. AgLink Canada’s formation was announced in Saskatoon on Friday, along with a strategic and commercial alliance with AgLink Australia. The collective of Canadian suppliers includes seven independent retailers… Read more »
Efforts intensify in Ontario to regulate organic products
Recent efforts to address consumer questions and confusion over about certified organic food production have taken a step forward in Ontario. On Wednesday, MPPs Peter Tabuns and Sylvia Jones announced a co-sponsored private member’s bill for organic products regulation in Ontario. “This bill will provide further transparency and help ensure that the growing organic industry… Read more »
Beef Market Update: Rising loonie pressuring cattle prices
A changing supply environment has the second half of 2017 shaping up much differently for cattle markets than the first. “Already things are changing. If you’re in Canada, you’re well aware — and we’ve talked about this all year long — we’ve been in this strong basis environment where Canadian prices, because we’re tight on… Read more »
Ag minister avoids saying much on tax changes
With farmers, farm organizations, and accounting firms that work in agriculture voicing serious concerns about the federal government’s proposed tax changes, Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay broke his media silence on the subject on Friday afternoon. For all of 50 seconds. The Full Story: Facing the politically dangerous choice of siding with the farm community or… Read more »