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 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
Daryl Fransoo, grain farmer at Glaslyn, Sask., and Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association (WCWGA) director joins us for today’s LIVE! to talk farm policy, public trust, and more! Don’t miss a new LIVE! Q&A every weekday at 3 pm Eastern on your favourite social media channel! SUMMARY Grain farmer at Glaslyn, Sask. Brother just joined… Read More
Several farm industry groups are voicing their displeasure of the government’s announcement last week to ramp up the carbon tax over the next 10 years. The Grain Farmers of Ontario say they are “infuriated” by the plan and call it a “continued campaign to tax food production for Canadians.” Previously, the federal government had denied… Read More
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association (WCWGA) has made the decision to cancel its 50th anniversary convention. The convention was scheduled for November 24 and 25, 2020, in Regina, Sask. President Gunter Jochum says going forward with the convention wouldn’t be following health and safety regulations that are in place across the provinces. “We determined… Read More
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association (WCWGA) has elected a new chair. Daryl Fransoo, who farms near Glaslyn, Sask., was chosen at the most recent Wheat Growers’ board meeting. He replaces Jim Wickett of Rosetown, Sask. Fransoo (pictured above right) farms with his father, growing spring and soft white wheat, malt barley, canola, multiple varieties… Read More
The Alberta provincial election takes place on Tuesday, April 16th, and the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association (WCWGA) have received feedback on key agriculture issues. With 14 parties registered, five have gotten back to the WCWGA with their answers. The organization states it sent out the five-part questionnaire on March 22, 2019, and received feedback… Read More
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association has announced Manitoba farmer Gunter Jochum will serve as its new president. Jochum was unanimously elected at a March board meeting and replaces Saskatchewan farmer Levi Wood. “I’m honoured to have the trust of the Wheat Growers board of directors to represent this dedicated group of people. Wheat Grower… Read More
The issue: The Saskatchewan government filed a reference question in the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal on Wednesday asking the court whether the federal carbon pricing legislation violates the Constitution. Farm groups, who have supported the Saskatchewan government’s opposition to the carbon tax, are welcoming the court challenge. Why does it matter? Saskatchewan is currently the… Read More
Consumer confidence in government regulations around biotechnology is improving, according to CropLife Canada polling in the country. “We’re finding the attitudes of Canadians about biotechnology is really getting better,” says Dennis Prouse, vice president, government affairs, CropLife Canada, in the video below. “Our actual research finds that Canadian attitudes have taken a good jump forward,… Read More
The Manitoba government says it’s going to give the revenue from the federally-mandated carbon tax back to Manitobans through tax reductions elsewhere. Several farm groups questioned how agriculture will be impacted by the carbon plan following the release of the provincial budget on Monday by Manitoba Finance Minister Cameron Friesen. “Farmers don’t have the option… Read More
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association is taking a different approach than most other farm organizations with its management. Rather than hiring internal staff, the voluntary farmer-run advocacy group has contracted Osborne Interim Management to look after day-to-day operations, policy development, stakeholder engagement and communications. The Osborne team includes Dave Quist as Executive Director, Norm… Read More
This is an op-ed submitted by Levi Wood, Saskatchewan wheat farmer and president of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association; and Jason Scott, U.S. Wheat Associates chair and Maryland wheat farmer. Since the end of the Canadian Wheat Board’s government monopoly control over the marketing of western Canadian wheat, there has been a great deal… Read More
The Canadian Grain Commission’s large surplus from user fees over the last few years needs be drawn down and returned to farmers, says the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association. The group has launched a petition, noting that since 2013, the CGC has accumulated at least $100 million from the roughly $1.80/tonne in fees charged to… Read More