Lenders are lining up to help western grain farmers who are experiencing a cash crunch due to poor rail service and the looming costs of putting in this year’s crop. Both Farm Credit Canada and the Bank of Montreal issued statements last week saying they would stand by their customers as they suffer from a
Lenders, government, railways all promise action on grain movement
With big expenses on the horizon some farmers are experiencing a difficult cash crunch because grain isn’t moving to market
Asia trade deal signed, ratification next hurdle
Parliament must now approve the pact as the next step towards implementation
The Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership has been signed but it still faces a long road toward implementation. Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne hedged when asked how quickly the government will move to achieve parliamentary ratification of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. Speaking to reporters after signing the deal in Santiago, Chile, he
Antimicrobials to need vet supervision
New framework will involve veterinarians and feed mills in controlling and tracking drug use
With the Pan-Canadian framework to reduce antimicrobial resistance coming into effect Dec. 1, 2018, veterinarians and feed mill operators are working on plans to reduce the use of medicine used in treating farm livestock as well as to collect the data that shows the progress. The framework is part of an international campaign to reduce
Agriculture an also-ran in federal budget
There were few tangible investments made to meet the government’s own targets to grow food exports
After enjoying headline status last year, the agri-food sector found itself once again on the back burner in the 2018 federal budget. There was none of the bold talk of 2017, when the agri-food export target of $75 billion by 2025 was set. Read more: New rules on passive investment arrive in budget Ron Bonnett, president
Farmers call for action from Ottawa on grain transportation
Grain movement has ground to a halt on the Prairies, causing some to recall the crisis of 2013-14
The federal government needs an immediate action plan to restore adequate grain transportation and ensure Prairie producers have the funds to plant the 2018 crop, farm leaders said March 1. Alarmed by Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay’s lack of awareness about the gravity of the grain transportation delays when he spoke to the annual meeting of
Farm groups queried on cybersecurity
Agriculture included as one of 10 sectors under potential threat
Agriculture Canada has sent a questionnaire to agri-food organizations about their cybersecurity protection measures as part of a federal plan to bolster protection for critical national communications infrastructure. The agri-food and fisheries supply chain “is one of the 10 identified critical infrastructure sectors,” a letter explaining the questionnaire says. Among the groups asked to forward
Applications open April 1 for new Business Risk Management programs
It’s now AgriMarketing, AgriCompetitiveness, AgriScience, AgriInnovate, AgriDiversity and AgriAssurance
Farmers can start applying for coverage under the six Business Risk Management programs available when the Canadian Agriculture Partnership (CAP) officially launches April 1. Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay made the long-awaited announcement during Canada Agriculture Day celebrations in Ottawa Feb. 16. Some modifications have been made to AgriStability, AgriInvest, AgriInsurance, AgriRecovery and AgriRisk. In addition,
Another voice in the agri-food choir
Food and beverage companies now have another voice in policy debates
Add one more group to the already-crowded landscape of groups and organizations within the agriculture and food sector. Food & Beverage Canada (F&BC) has been formed to work with the federal and provincial governments and other industry bodies to advance common priorities for processors and beverage makers. Rosemary McLellan, an F&BC board member as well
What are the hidden costs of losing a farm worker?
The Canadian Agriculture Human Resource Council offers tools to calculate this impact
Losing a skilled and motivated worker is tough for any farm or business but few operations understand the cost or impact on the bottom line, says the Canadian Agriculture Human Resources Council. It’s offering farmers two tools to calculate the financial impact of replacing a worker, which it says can be as much as 150
TAKEN BY SURPRISE: TPP II hits supply management with no warning
When combined with earlier trade deals, 10 per cent of the dairy and poultry will potentially be in foreign hands
The supply-managed sector learned the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), as the updated TPP trade deal is now known, would be proceeding at the same time the rest of the country did. That’s despite regular meetings with cabinet members and government officials to express concerns about provisions in it. The sector is now awaiting
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
