Canada’s agriculture industry has had its share of trials over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interrupted value chains, spilled milk, and empty grocery shelves were thankfully a short-lived experience for Canadians and the agriculture sector. In fact, agriculture and food, as industries, have continued to be economic drivers even during the last 15 months… Read More
The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) is proposing to reduce service fees collected for four official grain inspection and official grain weighing services, as of August 1, 2021, the start of the next crop year. A spokesperson for the Commission says sustained growth of export volumes over the last few years means it can reduce fees… Read More
Bill C-208, which would amend the Income Tax Act for the transfers of small businesses, family farms, or fishing corporations, passed its third reading in the House of Commons on Wednesday, May 12, sending it to the Senate for approval. The private member’s bill, introduced by Manitoba Conservative MP Larry Maguire, would make it more affordable… Read More
Increased funding for business risk management programs is the main driver of a $23.1 million increase for agriculture in Saskatchewan’s proposed budget. Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Donna Harpauer tabled the province’s 2021-22 budget on Tuesday, featuring a deficit of $2.6 billion and a plan to return to balanced books in 2026-27. The budget includes… Read More
The federal government has the right to impose a national price on pollution, says the Supreme Court of Canada. That means the government can set the standard by which the provinces deliver carbon pricing. Several provinces and producer groups disagreed with the carbon pricing scheme — and still do, in principle — but with this… Read More
The Supreme Court of Canada upheld the federal government’s right to impose a price on carbon on provinces in a decision announced Thursday morning. The decision passed in a 6-3 ruling. The “price of pollution” is set to increase to $170/tonne by 2030. Agriculture producer groups and politicians opposed to the federal carbon taxation policy… Read More
The rising carbon tax charged to railways while exporting grain will reduce the farmgate value of crops grown in Western Canada by several dollars per tonne, according to a pair of reports published over the past two weeks. The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) has released new calculations that say the federal government’s proposed $170/tonne… Read More
This Tuesday edition of the show features a big ag policy issue, specifically the upcoming Clean Fuel Standard. You’ll hear from: Markus Haerle, chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO); Todd Lewis, president of Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS); Arnold Balicki, chairman of the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association; Sukhpaul Bal, of BC Cherries Association; and,… Read More
This week marks four years since RealAg Radio kicked off on RuralRadio 147 on Sirius XM! Thanks for tuning in to our Friday edition of the show, including an issues panel. You’ll hear: Todd Lewis, president of APAS and farmer in Saskatchewan; Andrew Campbell, dairy farmer at Strathroy, Ont.; and Kelvin Heppner, RealAg’s own field… Read More
If you farm in Saskatchewan, mark your calendars for “Growing Agriculture: 2020 Saskatchewan Provincial Election Forum” set for the week of October 19 to 25, 2020. Moderated and hosted by our own Shaun Haney, the question and answer program is brought to you by Access Communications, Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), and Saskatchewan Farm… Read More
Agriculture leads the economy in Saskatchewan, and with the next provincial election slated for October 26, farmers are keen to know each party’s agricultural platform. Todd Lewis, president of Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) and farmer south of Regina, joined Shaun Haney recently to talk about the organization’s concerns for provincial policies and how… Read More
Today’s RealAg Radio show was live on Sirius XM channel 147. Thanks for tuning in, we’re always thrilled to have you along The top news stories of the day with host Shaun Haney; Todd Lewis, farmer and president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), on the upcoming Saskatchewan election and some of the… Read More
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) is launching a rural connectivity task force that will investigate the barriers to, and opportunities for, better internet and cellular service in rural Saskatchewan. The task force will operate from September of this year to January of 2021, and will be led by agricultural producers from across the… Read More
Saskatchewan’s election is coming up on October 26, 2020. The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) has released a set of proposals designed to get candidates from all political parties thinking about how best to support Saskatchewan’s agricultural sector. “Agriculture has ended up being a major driver of the economy during COVID-19,” says farmer and… Read More
Many are wondering what sort of COVID-19 related disruptions producers are facing when it comes to spring operations on their farms. The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) has launched a weekly survey for Saskatchewan farmers to share how COVID-19 is affecting producers at the farm gate, and the first round of the survey is… Read More