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
Comment: Is science back in style?
Comment: Food, technology and the election
Canadian agriculture can’t become a political football — it’s too important for that
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
Opinion: The next trade election
Now is the time to push politicians on developing a new approach for a new era
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
Comment: Protecting trade in a protectionist era
Canada needs to respond to trade barriers by using dispute settlement mechanisms
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
Comment: Time for a code of practice for grain production
Farmers urged to participate in a process started by the Grains Round Table
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: Friends with trade benefits
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
Celebrating modern agriculture
The farm of today is nothing like the ‘good old days’ and thank goodness for that
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
Comment: Agricultural trade in the age of protectionism
The entire industry and government must work harder than ever to ensure market access
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
COMMENT: The power of co-operation — and the cost of disunity
By working together, the agriculture sector can continue to accomplish great things
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
Two simple spray tips can make or break Canadian crops
Before spraying your in-crop application, ‘keep it clean’ with these best practices
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
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
