Cereals & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

High-tech tracker to battle ancient wheat plague

Wheat rust early detection is critical and a surprising source is providing new hope

By Thin Lei Win November 14, 2017

The tracking technology used to halt the deadly Ebola and Zika viruses could now be turned against wheat rust as scientists try new ways to stop the fungus devastating world grain crops. Wheat rusts are nothing new — ancient Romans honoured the rust god Robigus, hoping to protect their fields — but they are adapting

Sunset in Egypt on the Nile River south of Luxor. (CIA.gov)

Cereals, Crops

Egypt court ruling seen reinstating ergot ban in wheat imports

By GFM Network News, Reuters November 14, 2017

Cairo | Reuters — An Egyptian court on Tuesday effectively reinstated a ban on wheat imports containing even trace levels of the common grain fungus ergot, a lawyer who raised the case told Reuters, potentially re-opening a longstanding row over import rules that has disrupted trade. Egypt, the world’s largest wheat importer, issued a decree

Cereals, Pulses

India doubles wheat import tax, imposes 50 per cent tax on peas

By GFM Network News, Rajendra Jadhav November 8, 2017

New Delhi | Reuters – India has doubled its import tax on wheat to 20 per cent, according to a government order made on Wednesday, as the world’s second biggest producer tries to rein in imports to support local prices. In the last two years India has been importing wheat after local production fell due

Cereals

Mixed reactions from farm groups to Bill C-49 progress

By Ashley Robinson - MarketsFarm, GFM Network News November 6, 2017

Commodity News Service Canada – Western Canadian producer groups support changes to rail transportation in Canada but vary on support of the latest legislation, Bill C-49. Bill C-49 passed its third reading in the House of Commons Nov. 1 and is now off to the Senate for review. The bill is meant to amend the

(Stephen Ausmus photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Cereals, Crops

Major retailers say federal bread pricing probe underway

By GFM Network News, Manitoba Co-operator Staff November 1, 2017

Major Canadian grocery retailers Metro and Loblaw say a federal investigation is underway concerning the pricing of certain commercial bread products. Toronto-based Loblaw and its parent firm, George Weston Ltd., announced Tuesday they’re aware of an “industry-wide investigation” by the federal Competition Bureau concerning a “price-fixing scheme involving certain packaged bread products.” The two companies

Cereals, Local news

Nominations open Nov. 1 for wheat and barley association directors

The election will be held at the  MWBGA’s annual meeting Feb. 15, 2018,  but advance ballots are also available

By Allan Dawson October 30, 2017

Nominations to fill three positions on the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association’s (MWBGA) board of directors open Nov. 1 and close Nov. 30 at 4:30 p.m. Incumbent MWBGA chair Fred Greig of Reston intends to stand for election, he said in an email. The other two incumbents are Dylan Wiebe of Altona and Justin

Cereals, News

Column roils wheat grading controversy

Former NFU president Stewart Wells claims the system is under attack,  but the grain trade says a small change will protect a big market

By Allan Dawson October 23, 2017

Is the Canadian wheat grading system under attack? That’s the concern being raised by former NFU president Stewart Wells, who says the U.S. has painted a target on it, and the local grain trade is helping them zero in. Read more: Grading system needed to ensure proper compensation Wells wrote about his concern for the nation’s

Cereals, News

Grading system needed to ensure proper compensation

By Allan Dawson October 23, 2017

Canada’s wheat grading system is essential so farmers get fairly compensated by grain buyers, says Stewart Wells. Without it grain companies can pay farmers different prices for the same quality of wheat. “It’s about transparency and farmers being paid properly and fairly for what they do,” Wells said in an interview Oct. 11. “If there

Cereals, Opinion

Stand up for our grain grading system

It would be a mistake to alter the Canadian Grain Act to allow U.S. grain to enter our system

By Stewart Wells October 23, 2017

In 2014, a longtime advocate for grain trade deregulation and a former researcher for the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association was quoted in the ag press as saying, “I don’t remember one serious conversation about market power and the dangers it imposed.” Apparently that conversation still hasn’t happened for the farmers who are lobbying to

Cereals, News

WCWGA searching for new executive director

Robin Speer, who has had the job since Nov. 2, 2015, joined CN Rail last month

By Allan Dawson October 20, 2017

The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association (WCWGA) is seeking a new executive director. Robin Speer, who took over the job from Blair Rutter Nov. 2, 2015, joined CN Rail in mid-September as manager for public affairs in Saskatchewan. Speer said in his new position he will work with Saskatchewan municipalities, industry organizations, city and provincial officials. “I will

Daily Network News

Canadian Cattle Association won’t back traceability changes

Farmers’ Almanac rescued from closure; fate of Canadian content unknown

Do More Ag to fund rural groups’ mental health workshops

Cereals

High-tech tracker to battle ancient wheat plague

Egypt court ruling seen reinstating ergot ban in wheat imports

India doubles wheat import tax, imposes 50 per cent tax on peas

Mixed reactions from farm groups to Bill C-49 progress

Major retailers say federal bread pricing probe underway

Nominations open Nov. 1 for wheat and barley association directors

Column roils wheat grading controversy

Grading system needed to ensure proper compensation

Stand up for our grain grading system

WCWGA searching for new executive director

AgCanadaTV

AgCanadaTV: In case you missed it; your national ag news recap for March 27, 2026

Latest Market News