Articles by Cam Dahl | Manitoba Co-operator

The strength and resilience of Canadian agriculture and our food supply chain is a result of science and research.

Comment: Is science back in style?

By Cam Dahl June 10, 2020

There have been some unexpected impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of these is the new celebrity status of our chief medical health officers. A lot of people who just a few short months ago never even knew every province had a chief medical health officer are now hanging on to every word. Does this mean science and respected authority

Farmers need to ask political candidates and their parties what their plans are to encourage growth and development in Canadian agriculture.

Comment, Op/Ed

Comment: Food, technology and the election

Canadian agriculture can’t become a political football — it’s too important for that

By Cam Dahl October 7, 2019

We love technology. Apple brings out a new cellphone and there are lineups around the block. We are talking to our own houses these days as our homes become “smart.” And our houses are talking back (I think the Irish Rovers had a song about that). Yet, when it comes to technology and agriculture, the

Farmit Manitoba, Opinion

Opinion: The next trade election

Now is the time to push politicians on developing a new approach for a new era

By Cam Dahl August 29, 2019

There is a federal election coming this October. Now is the time for farmers to push for policies that will allow agriculture to deliver economic growth. Agriculture is a driver of the Canadian economy. But our jobs are spread out across Canada. So we don’t see headlines about thousands of jobs being lost because of

How does Canada protect its trading relationships when the rules of trade have been thrown out the window?

Comment, Opinion

Comment: Protecting trade in a protectionist era

Canada needs to respond to trade barriers by using dispute settlement mechanisms

By Cam Dahl May 28, 2019

The world has become protectionist. There is, justifiably, much focus on issues with China. But it is not just China. Canadian agriculture commodities are blocked in India, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam and face issues in key markets like Peru. Countries are turning inward, finding new ways to block trade. How do we protect our

The time has come for the grain, oilseed and special crops sectors to accept both the responsibility and opportunities that come from concretely demonstrating the sustainability of modern agriculture. – Cam Dahl

Comment

Comment: Time for a code of practice for grain production

Farmers urged to participate in a process started by the Grains Round Table

By Cam Dahl April 2, 2019

I was on a panel a few weeks back with a farmer who said he never wanted to hear the word ‘sustainability’ again. I understand the sentiment but we, as an industry, are going to be hearing that word more and more from customers and consumers. Farmers shy away from sustainability because they see people

Opinion

Opinion: Friends with trade benefits

By Cam Dahl February 8, 2019

Canadians and Italians like each other. Italian culture has formed a deep part of the Canadian fabric and Canadians buy hundreds of millions of dollars of goods from Italy every year. However, there have been some hiccups recently in the trade relationship, highlighted by the protectionist measures being used to block Canadian durum exports. I

The image of a faded red barn with a few chickens running around is not the reality of modern agriculture and we need to stop portraying it this way.

Comment, Opinion

Celebrating modern agriculture

The farm of today is nothing like the ‘good old days’ and thank goodness for that

By Cam Dahl October 23, 2018

Most farmers are reluctant to talk about modern agriculture. Our own industry advertisements promote the image of a farm with a faded red barn and a few chickens running about in a pastoral setting. That is not modern agriculture and we need to stop letting agriculture be portrayed this way. It is not hard to

Politics and a renewed vigour of nationalism are making it increasingly difficult for international trade.

Comment/Feedback, Opinion

Comment: Agricultural trade in the age of protectionism

The entire industry and government must work harder than ever to ensure market access

By Cam Dahl September 4, 2018

The world has entered a new age of nationalism, resulting in growing trade protectionism and increasing barriers for Canadian farmers and exporters who depend on international markets. The idea that trade is about winning or losing is dangerous and misleading. This idea ignores the world’s growth over the last 75 years and the disastrous outcomes

Often the politically expedient course of action is not the best outcome for the industry. – Cam Dahl

Cereals, Comment/Feedback

COMMENT: The power of co-operation — and the cost of disunity

By working together, the agriculture sector can continue to accomplish great things

By Cam Dahl June 12, 2018

There is a common adage in agriculture “wheat is 14 per cent protein and 86 per cent politics.” This was often applied in the era of debates over marketing, but it can still be fit today on many issues in agriculture. This is unfortunate and it comes at a cost. When governments in Canada receive

Comment, Crops

Two simple spray tips can make or break Canadian crops

Before spraying your in-crop application, ‘keep it clean’ with these best practices

By Cam Dahl, Gordon Bacon, Jim Everson August 22, 2017

Farmers have a lot on their plates as they head into the spraying season. The Canola Council of Canada, Cereals Canada and Pulse Canada are reminding growers of best practices that can have a major impact on marketing grain. Proper pesticide use is a critical factor in growing export-quality grain. As a world leader in

Feed weekly outlook: Barley bids firm as feeders seek coverage through spring

U.S. livestock: Live cattle up on cash market optimism, beef demand

ICE weekly outlook: Canola stronger at midweek

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