The Manitoba government says it will commit $62 million in provincial funding to AgriRecovery programs to help livestock producers affected by this year’s drought. While details were not included in the August 10 announcement, Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler says the programs will be designed to “ensure producers have options to retain and care for their… Read More
Following a tour of the drought-stricken Interlake region in Manitoba on Thursday (July 22), the federal agriculture minister announced several measures designed to provide support to producers across the country affected by drought. Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau was accompanied by other government officials, including Conservative MP James Bezan, and representatives from Manitoba Beef Producers, the Canadian… Read More
A private member’s bill designed to level the tax burden when selling an incorporated small business to a family member versus selling to a non-family member received final approval from the Senate on Tuesday, clearing the path for Bill C-208 to become law. The bill, brought forward by Manitoba MP Larry Maguire, addresses the issue… Read More
On May 6, the Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) announced Brenna Mahoney as their new general manager. Mahoney, who brings a unique resume to the post, joined RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney to discuss the position, as well as mentorship and part of her leadership philosophy. One of the biggest positives to KAP, and what Mahoney… Read More
The Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) board of directors has announced a new general manager. Brenna Mahoney will join Manitoba’s main general farm organization effective June 14, 2021. In a news release issued May 6, KAP notes Mahoney has experience with national coalitions and partnerships focused on advancing grain nutrition, healthy farm practices, market access, public… Read More
The federal government plans to introduce draft regulations for its national greenhouse gas offset system in the next few weeks. Originally announced in the 2019 federal budget, the intent is to establish a framework for generating carbon offset credits, which can then be sold to help others meet their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets. The offset… Read More
A new Driving Back to Work grant program in Alberta will make the Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) required to earn a Class 1 commercial licence more affordable. The new program, titled The Experience and Equivalency program, will reduce the time it takes for Class 3 drivers to upgrade to their Class 1. A dedicated $3… Read More
The Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) is calling on both the federal and Manitoba governments to adopt a “whole-of-government” approach to food security, which includes immediately adopting a strategic approach to emergency preparedness for the Canadian food supply chain. This request is in response to supply-chain disruptions due to COVID-19. It is crucial that Canadians can… Read More
Manitoba’s government has revived its plan for a flat $25/tonne carbon tax, which will coincide with a one per cent drop in the provincial sales tax (PST) to take effect on July 1st. Premier Brian Pallister made the surprise announcement, referring to the carbon tax as a “Green Levy,” on Thursday — a few days… Read More
Farm groups across the country have ramped up pressure on the federal government to address the impact of the federal carbon tax and to recognize agriculture’s positive contributions in capturing greenhouse gases. Both Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) in Manitoba and the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) have released studies quantifying the cost of the… Read More
A Conservative Member of Parliament from southern Ontario tabled legislation in the House of Commons on Tuesday that would remove the carbon tax from fuels used for drying grain and heating on farms. The private member’s bill, which would amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, was introduced by Philip Lawrence, MP for Northumberland—Peterborough South…. Read More
By the time harvest ends this season, the Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) estimate Manitoba producers will have paid almost $1.7 million in carbon tax related to the cost of drying the 2019 corn crop. “We are firm in our position that there needs to be an exemption for farmers under the carbon tax framework for… Read More
According to a recent survey, farmers are requesting changes to the two proposed models of seed royalty collection presented earlier this year by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The Alberta Federation of Agriculture (AFA), the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), and the Keystone Agricultural Producers of Manitoba (KAP), have taken the past three months to… Read More
The Government of Manitoba has announced changes to the Water Rights Act, changes the Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) say will make it harder — not easier — for farmers to control water on their land. The Pallister government has launched a “new approach” to the act which will streamline the approval process for producers and… Read More
With two potential new models for collecting seed royalties on the horizon, farm groups across the Prairies are wanting to hear from producers as to what their preference would be. Currently, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have put their consultation process on hold with farmers. This comes after… Read More