Stocks continuing to plunge during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic have left agricultural producers in Canada concerned about the potential impact. Thursday marked the biggest drop in Canadian stocks in 80 years, highlighted by many economists warning the country is on the brink of recession. Beyond growing fears of COVID-19’s economic impact, oil and gas stocks
Impacts on ag expected as COVID-19 rocks markets
Farmers urged to manage expenses
Fraser: What will be the long-term impact of COVID-19?
Analysis: A pandemic runs the risk of driving nations further apart
As developments around the COVID-19 coronavirus change rapidly, I can’t help but speculate on the longer-term effects of it. By now, much has been made of the economic impact it — alongside the Saudi Arabia-Russia oil trade war — will have on global economies. While it’s guesswork to estimate the total impact without knowing how
Business risk management program reforms in development
Changes expected to be announced in July
Recommendations are now being crafted for Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on how to improve business risk management (BRM) programs for farmers in Canada. It’s expected changes to BRM programs will be announced in July when Bibeau and her provincial counterparts meet in Guelph. The recommendations are coming after a study by MPs on the Commons
Debate over seed royalties could be nearing end
A pilot project could be the beginning of the end for this long-standing issue
The long-awaited process of determining the future of seed royalty rates in Canada is approaching its final stages. At least, it seems that way. Consider first the process officially began in 2013 when the then federal government led by the Conservative party introduced a law allowing royalty collection on seeds. (Some may recognize this as
Regulators harming not helping: Maple Leaf exec
Canadian policies are ‘hurting economic growth and competitiveness’
A senior Maple Leaf Foods official says Canadian policies, programs and regulations are hurting economic growth and competitiveness. Rory McAlpine, senior vice-president of government and industry relations, made the remarks during a speech at the Canadian Agricultural Economics Society policy summit held in Ottawa Jan. 23-24. The remarks came during a panel discussion on enhancing Canada’s agri-food
Youth council could be positive step in solving labour shortage
The group will help inform future agriculture policy by engaging younger industry members
The federal government is attempting to harness the power of youth by creating a Canadian Agricultural Youth Council. It will convene a group of young people who will, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), “provide valuable advice on agriculture and agri-food issues that matter most to them, everything from sustainable agriculture, market diversification and
Lawmakers urged to pass CUSMA quickly
The bulk of concerns were raised by the dairy sector which is losing market share
An overwhelming majority of witnesses testifying to the Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee in Ottawa are supporting the quick ratification of the “new NAFTA” trade deal, but the dairy industry continues to voice its opposition. Parliamentarians in Ottawa represent the last of the three countries involved in the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) to ratify the deal, with the law
CFA urges government to better consider agriculture
The sector shouldn’t be ‘collateral damage’ when government direction is set
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) wants to see Ottawa doing a better job of considering farmers when making decisions. That theme emerged from the recent annual general meeting of the group, held in Ottawa. “There’s a lot of good, sound policy in there that we want to see and move forward. But, you know,
Tipping point nears as rail blockades continue
Farmers are innocent bystanders who are getting hit hard, and a crisis is looming
Rail blockades are reaching a “tipping point” for farmers, according to the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA). Mary Robinson, president of CFA, told her membership near the end of February that farmers are being “severely and harshly impacted by the random blockades.” “We have nothing to do with this dispute. The widespread collateral damage of
Fraser: Feds still undecided on future of seed royalties
Either system will cost farmers, but proponents say the return will be worth it
The federal government has still not made a decision whether to allow royalties on farm-saved seed in Canada, saying no decision has been made on “potential ways to grow seed research and development.” Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) started engaging cereal and grain growers “to explore ways to improve their profitability and competitiveness in the
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
