News

The Government of Canada will soon be rolling out its Buy Canadian campaign across the nation, but first it must find a marketing firm to stick-handle using the $1.5 to $4 million yearly budget. In a notice posted to a government job portal, they’re on the hunt for a firm to help with their digitally-focused campaign to be launched this summer.

In the contract the government states, “Budget 2019 committed an investment of $25 million over five years for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to develop a national approach to better connect Canadians with and instil pride in Canada’s food system and its agriculture, food and seafood products which is part of the new Canada’s Food Policy.”

The national campaign aims to:

• Tell the story of, and build pride in, Canada’s food sector and highlight the advantages of its products;
• Increase confidence by providing transparency on where and how food is made;
• Showcase federal and sector investments to continuously improve production practices and Canada’s food system;
• Gain recognition for the work of Canadian producers and build public trust; and
• Promote Canadian products in the domestic market.

Through various mediums such as special events, grocery store promotions, online advertisements, and more, AAFC’s is wanting there to be consideration to target “underrepresented groups such as women, seniors, Indigenous Canadians and Official Language Minority groups,” according to the job posting.

To the relief of farmers, China and the U.S. have agreed and signed Phase One of a “multi-phase” trade deal. It remains to be seen whether this is a truce, a pause, or an easing of tensions, but farmers are encouraged. The Phase One deal is being met with high amounts of bipartisan criticism due to the commitments made by China to buy US$80 billion in American ag goods over the next two years.

Canadian farmers are also encouraged by the deal, based on the potential for a rally in the U.S. commodity futures.

One week into the deal, China has got off to a slow start for purchases. To the surprise of many the commodity market has slid, instead of gained. In a conversation with Shaun Haney, Chip Flory, the host of Agritalk, admits he is surprised by the soybean market slide this week.

“I did not anticipate soybeans being 25 to 35 cents lower since the deal was signed. A steady market would have been more in my wheelhouse as the market waits for boats to actually be loaded as those China orders were filled,” he says.

You can hear RealAg’s Shaun Haney on Agritalk with Chip Flory every Friday on Rural Radio 147 at 2 pm eastern

In order to get funds to the long side, Flory believes the skeptical commodity funds need to see the, “action of boats being loaded to head to China.”

The question has become which commodities they will buy to get to that US$80 billion number as a commodity list has been released, but does not include the amounts for those commodities.  This is not surprising as the two countries are attempting to avoid any WTO challenges.

Greg Doud, the chief ag negotiator with the U.S. Trade Representative, has told Flory on Agritalk that individual commodities have different implementation dates.

There is much focus on the “market competitiveness” of the text and whether that is a way for China to wiggle on the deal or rather a means to avoid WTO complaints.

Earlier this week China also doubled down on their demand requirements by saying that the purchase of US$40 billion in ag products out of the U.S. will not impact the purchase of products from other countries. For Canada, this is encouraging for crops such as wheat where Canada has had some success.

You can listen to Shaun Haney and Chip Flory discuss this timely topic by clicking play below:

A familiar name in agriculture has been promoted within the Agri-Food Innovation Council (AIC), as Dr. Wilf Keller joins the organization as it’s vice-president of outreach. Keller was serving as AIC’s board chair.

“We’re looking forward to Dr. Keller joining our team, given his background, he will serve an integral role with our organization as VP of outreach,” says Serge Buy, AIC’s CEO. “His guidance, knowledge of the sector and key players will be an asset to help further the development and goals of AIC through various outreach efforts with stakeholders.”

In this position, Keller will be responsible for interacting with the various stakeholders in the agri-food industry on behalf of AIC.

His extensive background in agriculture includes a doctorate in crop science from the University of Saskatchewan, over 15 years at Agriculture Canada, where he established a plant biotechnology research programme which he chaired for nine years. He spent nearly two decades at the Plant Biotechnology Institute (PBI) of the National Research Council of Canada where he spearheaded canola biotechnology research.

According to a news release, he has also served as the head of the Transgenic Plant Center until 1999, when he accepted the position of research director. In 2007 he took a one-year posting as the acting director general of PBI and when finished, served as president and CEO of Genome Prairie from 2008 to 2012. He was then the president and CEO of Ag-West Bio Inc until 2020.

Related: Wilf Keller named to Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame

The federal government has opened the application process for the first Canadian Agricultural Youth Council.

The Council will identify new and emerging issues, enable on-going dialogue on challenges and opportunities, share information and best practices, and provide advice on the strengths and weaknesses of policies and programs affecting the agriculture and agri-food sector, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada says in a press release.

The Council will meet twice a year, and additional meetings will be held online. It will provide a forum for members to work with the agriculture minister, experienced public servants, and national organizations. Council members will also have the opportunity to participate at roundtables and discussions, as well as in important government and industry events.

Those interested must be within the ages of 18 to 30, and AAFC says membership will be diverse, national, and include representation from Indigenous communities.

A group of young Canadians will provide valuable advice on agriculture and agri-food issues that matter most to them – everything from sustainable agriculture, market diversification and innovation, to the digital shift, intergenerational transfers and mental health, AAFC says.

Those interested can apply by visiting www.agr.gc.ca/youth and completing an online application. The application deadline is February 14, 2020.