CN and CP quietly posted strong results

Canada’s two major railways have quietly gone about their business in the past year, turning in strong financial performances and building up their networks, even as economic storm clouds gather. They overcame wicked winter weather to record a record grain haul for the crop year ending July 31. As of September, they were still enjoying[...]

Farm groups say ‘Harvest from Hell’ underlines need for carbon tax relief

Farm groups have fired off urgent appeals for government financial help for producers struggling with a weather-disrupted harvest made worse by the imposition of the federal carbon tax on fuel used to dry grain. Grain Farmers of Ontario and a coalition of Alberta commodity groups sent their requests directly to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau because[...]


Poultry farmers say trade response for the birds

Chicken, turkey and egg producers say a big hit is coming and the federal government needs to help them adapt. They’re facing increased imports allowed under a series of trade deals negotiated by the federal government and say a big-picture approach is needed. That was the message Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC), Turkey Farmers of[...]

Canadian farmers have made significant emissions reductions

Canadian farmers receive too little credit for their progress in curbing carbon emissions that cause climate change, according to a new study. The Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI) recently released the report, which took full aim at another recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. CAPI says it fails to mention “the Canadian[...]


Crop exporters face growing competition

Canada’s agri-food sector is highly dependent on export markets and efforts to diversify the existing customer base won’t be easy in the coming years because of growing competition, says a new report from Farm Credit Canada. While Canada stands in fifth place among the current agri-food exporting nations and has ambitious plans to move closer to first, it’s[...]

Grain growers face year of contemplation: FCC

Deciding what crops to plant this year will require lots of consideration of the various economic and political forces at play in the domestic and export grain trade, says Farm Credit Canada. In its 2019 crop outlook, FCC cites many factors to think about before making final planting decisions. Chief among them are “China’s oversized[...]


China acknowledges domestic pork shortage

News reports from Asia indicate the Chinese government is finally having to own up about that country’s pork shortages due to African swine fever (ASF) and trade disputes. The South China Morning Post has reported that Chinese Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua has been assigned to oversee the issue of rising pork prices that could mar October’s[...]



Dairy calves, veal sector to see animal transportation changes

Big changes are coming down the road for the veal sector. This February new transportation regulations are coming and that’s going to change how male dairy calves are marketed and the whole sector will need to talk to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) about a phased transition, a new report recommends. Prepared by an[...]

Farm human resources crunch to worsen

There are no signs that Canadian agriculture’s labour crunch will be easing any time soon. In fact a recent labour market forecast from the Canadian Agriculture Human Resources Council (CAHRC) suggests the situation is set to worsen sharply over the next 10 years. That will limit future growth and delay expansion plans, the group says.[...]