Pacific Ocean sea surface temperature anomalies in degrees Celsius for the week centred on Jan. 31. (CPC.ncep.noaa.gov)

La Nina seen likely to fade by spring

Reuters — The current La Nina weather cycle is likely to transition into more neutral conditions by spring, a U.S. government weather forecaster said Thursday. La Nina is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean and is linked with floods and droughts. It is the opposite phase of what is known

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a town hall meeting Jan. 10 in Hamilton. (PM.gc.ca)

Trudeau talks tough on NAFTA, repeats he could walk away

Nanaimo, B.C. | Reuters — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a tough line on NAFTA on Friday, repeating that he could walk away if he was not happy with talks to modernize a pact the U.S. contends needs major changes. “The negotiations are complex and challenging … I’ve said many times, we are not



U.S. trade negotiators are skeptical of a Canadian suggestion that North American content in automobiles would be higher if the value of software and related materials produced by the three NAFTA nations were taken into account. (Ford.ca)

U.S. rejects proposals to unblock NAFTA, but will stay in talks

Montreal | Reuters — U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade chief on Monday dismissed Canadian proposals for unblocking NAFTA modernization talks but pledged to stay at the table, easing concerns about a potentially imminent U.S. withdrawal from the trilateral pact. Trump, who described the 1994 pact as a disaster that has drained manufacturing jobs to Mexico,



(WholeFoodsMarket.com)

Feds pledge funds for organic standards review

A review and update of Canada’s organic standards for compliance with international norms will get federal funding to make sure it’s complete by its 2020 deadline. Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay on Friday announced the government will foot the “necessary funds” to the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) to cover the cost of the 2020 Canadian



(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Prairie grains chopping around

CNS Canada — Dry subsoil moisture conditions and a lack of snow cover in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan continue to create worries for many farmers. Conditions range from abnormally dry in many areas to full-on droughts around Regina and some areas south of Calgary, according to Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. Feed barley bids in the


(Video screengrab from CBSA-asfc.gc.ca)

NAFTA negotiations grind on

Montreal | Reuters — U.S. negotiators are holding firm in their demands for a wide-ranging overhaul of NAFTA, sources close to the talks said on Thursday, raising questions about whether any real movement is happening at the latest round of negotiations on the treaty. Officials from Canada, Mexico and the U.S. are in Montreal for

(CBSA-asfc.gc.ca)

Canada unveils ideas to save NAFTA

Montreal | Reuters — Canadian negotiators at the NAFTA talks on Wednesday unveiled ideas to address contentious U.S. demands for revamping the 1994 pact while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged top U.S. executives to back free trade. The sixth and penultimate round of negotiations to update the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) opened in