Water law professor David Percy says a culture of negotiation has taken the edge off the "first in time, first in right" principle that guides water rights in Alberta.

Seeding very close to wrapping up in Alberta

Spring planting in Alberta has almost wrapped up for this year, with the agriculture ministry pegging it at 97 per cent complete province-wide as of June 4. Seeding advanced 20 points on the week with the pace at the five-year average. The greatest overall progress was made in northeastern, northwestern and central Alberta. The northeast

Open interest in the canola market was down by 14,880 contracts on the week.  Photo: File

Fund short position grows in canola

Fund traders were back on the sell side of the canola market in early June, putting on fresh bearish bets and growing their net short position, according to the latest Commitments of Traders report from the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). As of June 4, 2024, the net managed money short position in


Canola prices pull back

Canola prices pull back

As conditions have improved, prices have eroded, even with planting delayed

Spring planting has caught up with canola futures on the Intercontinental Exchange. For several weeks canola pushed upward, even as rain across the Prairies replenished depleted soil moisture levels, but now optimism for good crops has put pressure on values. Planting was delayed and as much as 40 per cent of this year’s canola is



The canola sector expects the biofuel boom to launch it to new heights.

Livestock feed markets and the ‘big oil deficit’

Biofuel boom likely to spill into lower meal prices

Food and feed are the main sources of global demand for crops but climate-related policies could tip that apple cart. Governments are making legislative overtures to boost production of biofuels. In Canada, that includes the Canadian Clean Fuels Regulation, which lays out rules for fuel production and aims to encourage development of cleaner fuels and



 Photo: Greg Berg

Can canola markets find traction?

Expert's Radar: Signs of hope on the export front are beginning to emerge

The slow pace of Canadian canola exports is an ongoing issue, with lack of offshore movement a heavy weight on the market. However, the crop may finally find traction on the export front. AAFC projections: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada released updated supply/demand tables May 21, cutting its call for 2023-24 canola exports to six million



Parliament Hill, in Ottawa – Ontario, Canada. Photo: Ulysse Pixel

Farm groups criticize capital gains inclusion rate change

Ten national organizations say several tax-related changes in the 2024 federal budget will impact farmers 

In a May 27 letter to finance minister Chrystia Freeland, agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay and national revenue minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, 10 signatories said they are concerned about the capital gains inclusion rate, the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) and the Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Incentive (CEI), which were all announced in April.

The Marginal Areas Program typically offers $135 to $150 per acre, depending on location.

Incentives boosted for marginal acre conversion

DUC, FCC and PespiCo team up to help producers get the most from unproductive cropland

Ducks Unlimited Canada and Farm Credit Canada have a new partner for their sustainability initiatives. DUC announced in late May that multinational food company PepsiCo will help support FCC’s Sustainability Incentive Program. It links with DUC’s efforts to encourage producers to convert low productivity farmland into perennial cover. DUC’s Marginal Areas Program helps producers absorb