Organic checkoff gets the green light

The Manitoba Organic Alliance (MOA) says its new checkoff levy on organic cereals, pulses and oilseeds will help fund organic-specific research and extension work. “It wasn’t felt that the research and development and marketing were actually benefiting organic grain farmers,” MOA project manager Karen Klassen told the Co-operator. “This is the first organic grain levy[...]




Fertilizer prices likely flattened, set to rise slowly 

Fertilizer prices have mostly hit a plateau and will likely start to creep up again, says one analyst. “Farmers would be incentivized to get the product that they need for the coming 12 months probably sooner rather than later if they want to make use of the bottom of the market,” said Chris Lawson, head[...]



No silver bullet for food price inflation

Canadian food price inflation has many causes, but grocers gouging customers isn't one of them, Michael von Massow of the University of Guelph said during the Fields on Wheels conference hosted by the University of Manitoba Dec. 14.   Even the carbon tax hasn’t had much impact, according to the associate professor of food economics.[...]


Price peaks require smart marketing

Rick Wright of Cattle Consulting doesn’t see any signs that the cattle price gravy train will be slowing any time soon. “There’s more than just optimism out there. The fundamentals support a pretty good market moving forward,” he said. “Will it be better than 2023? Maybe not, but I think it will be every bit[...]




Ukraine’s grain export success tested by Red Sea crisis

Ukraine has managed to boost its Black Sea grain exports to a level not seen since before Russia’s invasion, but the shipping crisis in the Red Sea poses a new challenge to the nation’s crucial agricultural trade. Kyiv’s success in replacing a UN-backed Black Sea export deal with its own shipping scheme has brought relief[...]