“PMRA’s re-evaluation decision confirms that in the vast majority of cases, neonics can be used effectively by farmers without unnecessary risk to pollinators.” – Pierre Petelle, CropLife Canada

No new major neonic restrictions: Health Canada

Existing restrictions remain, but they won’t be expanded for the foreseeable future

No new changes are coming to the use of neonicotinoids in Canada. There will be no new significant restrictions beyond those announced last year, Health Canada said April 10 in its final decision on its review of clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiameth­oxam. The department said it will proceed with cancelling some uses of the products and

Not time to retaliate on canola — yet

Not time to retaliate on canola — yet

Some in the industry say it’s time to go political, but others say it’s too soon

Canada should retaliate against China’s boycott of Canadian canola seed, say several canola industry officials. That’s an option, but also a last resort, says the Canola Council of Canada (CCC). “I would say no issue is off the table in terms of various approaches that we can take as a country to deal with the


Shifting sands on international trade

Trade times have changed — and that puts Canada in a tough spot

So what’s caused this move to protectionism after decades of freer trade? Call it the Trump effect. The United States, once the world’s leader in multilateral trade promotion, has derailed trade as it tries to win better deals for itself. “(I)n all honesty it’s affecting a lot of countries around the world because a lot

Stuck in the middle on world trade

Stuck in the middle on world trade

In a world of trade disputes between economic superpowers, Canada needs to develop its capacity to respond quickly

Industry leaders say Canada needs to step up its efforts to protect the agricultural sector’s interest in what has been characterized as “… the most protectionist era since the Great Depression.” While it’s encouraging that reference by Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland shows the federal government is aware of the issues caused by rising trade


Getting HR right a challenge

A new focus on human rights requires care and respect by farm employers

One of the biggest challenges facing farmers is finding the right people at the right time to work on their farms. It’s a situation made even more challenging by a changing hiring landscape that puts limitations on the kind of questions an employer can ask of a prospective employee, according to one expert in the

Kochia or tumbleweeds can spread across fields by the tumbling action and get caught in fencelines. This is an example of landscape-scale weed spread issues.

It takes a village to stop weeds

Researchers say the community nature of the problem of invasive weeds hasn’t been adequately incorporated into control efforts

Invasive weeds are a problem that defies solution, and only seems to get worse. That’s because they’re a community problem that cross property boundaries, according to weed scientist Muthu Bagavathiannan, of Texas A&M. Finding a real solution will involve recognizing the nature of weeds as a community problem, and managing them accordingly, he and other


Ex moves to rebuild heavy horse show

The organization says it remains committed to the iconic event

The Provincial Exhibition is beginning the process of rebuilding the heavy horse show at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair after just two hitches competed this year. A meeting held during the fair in late March saw concerns brought forward by 50 exhibitors and draft horse enthusiasts. The goal of the discussion was to come away

Kubota’s current highest-horsepower line of tractors is the M7 line, manufactured in France.

The next made-in-Canada tractor

What will Buhler make for Kubota’s move into the heavy-horsepower market?

Japan’s Kubota Corp. is poised to join Massey Harris, Cockshutt and Versatile on the short but distinguished list of farm tractors made in Canada. Buhler Industries, already well known as the manufacturer of Versatile tractors at its Clarence Avenue plant in Winnipeg, has opened its factory floor to also produce Kubota’s highest-horsepower tractor yet for


Livestock transportation is among the issues to be codified under a new funding arrangement.

Animal care code updates gain funding

This includes the livestock transport code which has been condemned for being out of date

The National Farmed Animal Care Council (NFACC) will receive up to $4.56 million from the Canadian Agriculture Partnership to update important livestock care codes including the controversial animal transport one. The funding was announced by Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and will also be used by NFACC to update its dairy and goat care codes and

African Swine Fever was an overarching topic during the April 11 Manitoba Pork Council annual meeting.

Plugging the holes on African swine fever

Canadian officials hope to hold the line on African swine fever

Officials are hoping an ounce of prevention will mean no cure is needed when it comes to African swine fever (ASF). Prevention has so far been a building block of Canada’s plans against the deadly swine disease. The highly contagious disease can be carried in blood, tissues, manure and stay viable in deadstock and fresh