Will Rogers once said, “It takes a lifetime to build a good reputation, but you can lose it in a minute.” That is a quote that applies to every part of the Canadian grain industry, including farmers. Canada has a strong reputation for consistently delivering high-quality grains, oilseeds and special crops to our domestic and
Pesticide labels and our reputation
The costly consequences of breaking the rules
The good old days – not always so good
Local. Organic. Hormone free. Gluten free. No pesticides. Nothing artificial. These are the buzzwords in food marketing today. Who can object to all of these wholesome-sounding concepts? Food companies are trying to take us back to a time which many consumers imagine as idyllic, pure and healthy. The fact this is an effective marketing strategy
Beef producers are conservationists
Manitoba’s beef producers are the single largest collection of conservationists in the province. That may sound like a radical statement to some, but it is in fact a reflection of reality. It is also a fact that is increasingly becoming recognized by legislators and policy-makers. When announcing the new legislation to protect ecosystems, Hon. Gord
Country-of-origin labelling: The fight goes on
It’s the kind of non-tariff trade barrier Canadian exporters can expect to see more of in the future
Not long ago, tariffs were the key barriers to Canadian beef exports. Tariff barriers are still significant problems (Korea for example), but as tariff barriers fall, countries are getting more creative in building border barriers. In some ways, it makes me nostalgic for the good old days when our market access efforts primarily consisted ofChronic issues must be addressed
Every beef producer in Manitoba has a stake in seeing TB eradicated in the area around Riding Mountain National Park
Farm groups often bemoan the fact that it can be difficult to work with governments. You will also often hear associations complain that one department is pursuing objectives that are diametrically opposite to the initiatives of another branch of government. Unfortunately, these complaints often contain a grain of truth. However, it is also true thatProducers must speak up on trade
Trade negotiations. I can almost hear the pages turning as people turn to other things that seem more relevant. For years everyone involved in agriculture has been subjected to the strong arguments on both sides of this issue. And yet, very little seems to change. For example, since 2001, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha
The 2011 flood battle is not over
It has been a year since the flood of 2011. At that time Manitobans were bombarded by flood news every day. Many felt that they personally knew the people impacted around Lake Manitoba, down the Assiniboine River, Lake Dauphin, Winnipegosis or the Shoal Lakes. There was a sense of solidarity with everyone in the province
Beef producers must engage the public on animal welfare
Animal welfare. These two words often evoke a strong response from livestock producers across the country who feel that their way of life is under siege by those who don’t understand them and don’t grasp what they do for society. One just has to look at a few headlines to understand why farmers may feel
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
