The expansion of Canada’s farm debt continued, but at its lowest pace in six years. Meanwhile Farm Credit Canada’s chief economist says that the potential for higher interest rates is the “darkest cloud” in that otherwise optimistic picture. Statistics Canada data showed outstanding Canadian farm debt increased by 5.9 per cent to $121.9 billion as
Interest rates biggest farm finance risk
Farm Credit Canada says the pace of debt growth has slowed but farmers need to have an interest rate risk management plan
Cereals Canada’s executive committee unchanged
Membership grows to 21 cereals organizations
Cereals Canada’s executive committee is unchanged following its first annual meeting June 24 since amalgamating with the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) June 1, 2020. Farmer Todd Hames of the Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) chair, Cargill’s Jennifer Marchand vice-chair, farmer Robert Misko of the Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) treasurer and Richardson’s Jean-Marc Ruest secretary. “I
CN investing in Manitoba
Improvements are expected to help meet demand and future needs of shippers Manitoba’s share of CN’s $3 billion capital investment plan is going to be $95 million. The company announced June 17 it would be using the funds to focus on technology and infrastructure maintenance to “enhance safety and fluidity” in its network. “Our consistent
MCGA contributes $100,000 to Prairie Innovation Centre
The money will support an industry-education ‘Collaboration Zone’
The Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) has committed $100,000 to sponsor an industry collaboration area, the Collaboration Zone, within Assiniboine Community College’s Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture. “Working with industry is an integral piece of the vision for the centre,” said Tim Hore, dean of the School of Agriculture and Environment, in a media
Cleanfarms Manitoba sees slight recycling dip in 2020
Canada-wide, Cleanfarms has recycled enough containers to stretch around the world 1.3 times
Manitoba farmers recycled 38.4 tonnes of grain bags, twine, and bale and silage wrap in 2020, down from about 51 tonnes in 2019, says Cleanfarms’ 2020 report. The ag recycling organization attributes the dip to COVID-19 restrictions and lower spring volumes. Canada-wide, collection was on par or slightly up in many categories. Producers returned more
Conservation Trust funds totalling $2.8 million awarded
A total of 23 ventures by 20 conservation groups are getting needed cash
A total of $2.8 million in new funding for conservation projects has been announced by the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation. The funds are coming from the province’s Conservation Trust, one of the endowments of $204 million made by the province and financially managed by the Winnipeg Foundation. MHHC selects the projects to be funded, and
Manitoba identifies human case of H1N1v and H1N2v
In both cases the sufferers recovered relatively quickly with no lingering effects
Provincial officials say they’re investigating and monitoring two cases of variant flus in the southern part of the province. The chief public health officer and the chief veterinary officer announced a positive human case of both H1N1v and H1N2v. These cases are separate of one another and are not related. There is no evidence at
Merit Foods begins commercial production
The first-of-its-kind food-grade canola protein will be going to market this quarter
A Winnipeg-based company, Merit Foods, is touting a global first for canola. The division of Burcon NutraScience says Merit has “… achieved first commercial production…” of its line of canola proteins, making the facility the first and only commercial-scale facility in the world capable of producing food-grade protein from canola, the world’s second-largest oilseed crop.
McRae family wins Simmental Association ambassador award
Blair and Lois McRae of Mar Mac Farms have been Simmental mainstays for decades
Blair and Lois McRae of Mar Mac Farms are the recipients of the Manitoba Simmental Association’s 2020 A.0. Henuset Ambassador Award. It’s meant to recognize those who “… have unselfishly given of their time to help establish the Simmental industry in Manitoba.” The McRae family has been in the Simmental business near Brandon for the
Chicken quota allocation up on demand optimism
Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC) is planning to raise quota allocations in July on optimism for dining demand as the economy starts a “transition towards normalcy” out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chicken Farmers of Ontario on March 24 reported an expected national allocation increase of 1.75 per cent above its adjusted base for period A-170
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