Canadian Wheat Board building in Winnipeg

FNA wants more time for CWB bid

Is a sale being sped up ahead of the next federal election?

Farmers of North America (FNA) says with harvest delays it needs another six to eight weeks to pitch its plan for farmers to buy CWB from the federal government. But FNA president and CEO James Mann fears CWB will be sold first — probably to a foreign multinational grain company. “I would say I don’t

infographic of perceptions in agriculture

Gap in understanding between consumers and producers

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business conducted its own survey in response to a recent federal government-commissioned study on public perceptions of agriculture industry

A new survey reveals farmers have a very different perception about the state of agriculture in Canada than consumers do. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), in response to a recent federal government-commissioned study that reported unfavourable public perceptions of the agriculture industry, questioned 523 producers in an attempt to “combat these misconceptions.” A

hand running through a pile of grain

Right to save seed will be absolutely clear, Ritz vows

The government has introduced amendments to its Agricultural Growth Act 
to make the language around seed saving clearer

Legislation updating plant breeders’ rights will be amended to make it absolutely clear that farmers can save and replant seeds from crops they have grown, says Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. It was one of several amendments the government plans for the Agriculture Growth Act, which was forced through second reading in the Commons in June.

two veterinarians arm wrestling

Airdrie vet aids fellow vet in Ukraine for bid to win Easi-Scan

Social media savvy and the hashtag #VoteForVadim having great success

Even though he doesn’t speak a word of Ukrainian, Airdrie vet Cody Creelman, was drawn to the online videos of Vadim Pryadko, who lives in a town called Khmelnitsky near the Polish border. “We developed a relationship,” said Creelman. “We started talking about what type of practice he was at, what kind of school he

Opposition MPs decry decision to not make CWB’s 2012-13 annual report public

Opposition MPs decry decision to not make CWB’s 2012-13 annual report public

Wheat board critics, including the government, accused it of secrecy, but now 
Gerry Ritz has deemed CWB’s activities are too commercially sensitive to release

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz’s decision to keep CWB’s 2012-13 annual report from the public is being criticized by opposition members of Parliament. Farmers and taxpayers have a right to see CWB’s financial statements Liberal MP Ralph Goodale and NDP Agriculture Critic Malcolm Allen said in separate interviews last week. “It should be remembered whatever revenue


The federal government hasn’t clarified whether railway fines first announced as $100,000 per day will switch to weekly. The Canada Transportation Act states fines can be levied “per violation.”  photo: allan dawson

Will railways be fined $100,000 a week instead of daily?

Ottawa isn’t saying, but the Canada Transportation Act states fines apply ‘per violation’

CN Rail is facing federal fines for failing to meet legislated weekly targets for moving grain — this much is known. But the big question in the grain industry last week was whether those $100,000 fines will be levied per day — as federal officials indicated in press statements last winter — or whether the penalty

CWB 2012-13 annual report: notes

CWB 2012-13 annual report: notes

Looking for CWB’s 2012-13 annual report? You won’t find it. All that Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz tabled in Parliament in July were the notes to CWB’s financial statement, which the public is having trouble finding. The Manitoba Co-operator has received a number of requests for the notes submitted to the ag-minister by CWB and we’ve obtained a copy

Record end-of-year grain movement reduces carry-over

Record end-of-year grain movement reduces carry-over

Acrimony continues between grain companies and the railways

The estimated 15.7 million tonnes of western grain carry-over is almost four million tonnes less than first forecast, thanks to record grain movement between April 1 and July 31, says Mark Hemmes, president of Quorum Corporation, the firm hired by the federal government to monitor the western grain transportation system. “When it’s all said and


Grain inspection

NFU fears more powerful seed companies with privatized pedigreed seed inspection

Farm group argues change will eventually spell the end for independent seed growers and hand control of seed production to multinationals

The National Farmers Union is warning that the privatization of seed inspection in Canada starting next year will hurt seed growers and farmers, while making multinational seed companies even more powerful. “Independent seed growers will find themselves phased out as the seed crop inspection system, along with other essential seed-related systems such as plant breeding

Province Bans New Sewage Ejector Installations

“… where it makes sense to remove the ejector and put in the proper sewage disposal system, we’re all for that. But don’t paint the whole province with the same brush.” – DOUG DOBROWOLSKI, AMM PRESIDENT New rules governing human sewage disposal in Manitoba will produce costly headaches for rural property owners, say Association of