Regulatory makeovers for the Canadian Grain Commission are on the federal government’s radar, again. Last month the commission announced its latest proposals for "modernizing" itself and the Canada Grain Act it administers. The public has until March 23 to respond. The commission, established in 1912, is Canada’s grain industry watchdog, ensuring the quality of grain
Feds move again on “modernizing” Grain Commission
Saskatoon wooing grain export development agency
Fears that scrapping the monopoly-powered Canadian Wheat Board could undermine Winnipeg’s dominance of grain-sector office space have been bolstered, with news Saskatoon wants the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) to move there. The offer came Nov. 29 during a meeting with Saskatoon economic development group representatives, Rex Newkirk, Cigi’s director of research and business development,
U.S. wheat wants access to Canadian elevators
Canada is considering changes to its wheat quality control system making it easier for American farmers to ship wheat north of the border after the Canadian Wheat Board loses its monopoly Aug. 1. "We are working on an initiative that will see the grading systems more in parallel," Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz told reporters Feb.
FCWB launches $17-billion class-action lawsuit
The wheat board’s single desk must stay or western farmers should get $17 billion in compensation for its loss, says a class-action lawsuit launched Feb. 15 against the federal government by four farmers with the Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board (FCWB). It’s the latest salvo in the fight against the Marketing Freedom for Grain
Lack of snow probably hasn’t hurt the winter wheat — yet
Everybody is talking about the lack of snow this winter, but like the weather, nobody can do much about it. The fields here are bare and it’s the same for much of southern Manitoba. That’s raising concerns about possible winterkill to crops such as alfalfa, winter wheat and strawberries. Snow is a good insulator. Fortunately
Controlling Roundup Ready canola in Roundup Ready corn
Prevention is the best method when it comes to Roundup Ready canola volunteers in a crop of Roundup Ready corn. If that fails there are pre-seed and in-crop herbicide options — but they’re risky, says Bruce Murray, a DEKALB agronomist with Monsanto. “It you’re expecting a miracle, sorry there isn’t a miracle out there right
CWB ready to compete and expecting to be profitable
The Canadian Wheat Board will succeed in an open market, predicts president and CEO Ian White. “I’ve got no doubt we can run a viable business,” White said in an interview in his office last week. “We hope it will be profitable in its first year. That’s what we’re targeting.” The board always said the
Manitoba government preparing to ban cosmetic pesticides
Farmers will be allowed to spray their crops if the Manitoba government bans the use of cosmetic “chemical” pesticides. But farmers will still suffer, say CropLife Canada and the Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP). And so will homeowners. Last week Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh confirmed this spring the Manitoba government will consult the
Permanent cougar population expected someday in Manitoba
Bill Watkins, a zoologist with Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship, gets the calls every year. Has the Manitoba government reintroduced cougars to control the deer population? The answer is no, but Watkins says it’s probably only a matter of time before these solitary, animals re-establish themselves in the province. “I suspect it’s a simple case
CWB ready to compete, expecting to be profitable
The Canadian Wheat Board will succeed in an open market, its CEO Ian White predicts. "I’ve got no doubt we can run a viable business," White said in an interview in his office last week. "We hope it will be profitable in its first year. That’s what we’re targeting." The board always said the single