Opinion
Opinion: Consumers still shelling out for fair trade
Fair-trade products are typically less popular when food prices rise but this time, it’s different
October marks Fair Trade Month even as the cost of food remains high, so the question arises: why celebrate fair trade when many of its products come with a price premium? Given our collective concerns on sustainability and social justice for the globe’s farmers, however, it is imperative that we talk about it. While fair-trade
Opinion: The pileups start to pile up
U.S grain marketing is looking as messy as its politics
It’s looking like today’s political and grain market pileups will be bigger and messier than first thought. Here’s how New York Republican Representative Mike Lawler described his colleagues’ never-to-pass federal budget demands to CNN Sept. 19: “This is not conservative republicanism. This is stupidity.” There’s little wonder that Congress has spent most of 2023 shooting
Comment: The rules keep changing on Crown land
Changes from the old community-based allocation system equate to flexible red tape
CROWN LAND Changes from the old community-based allocation system equate to flexible red tape
In 2018, the provincial Progressive Conservatives began instituting new regulations under the Crown Lands Amendment Act, in response to a request from the Manitoba Beef Producers who, in 2017, asked for the agricultural Crown land lease allocation system to be changed from its long-standing community and Manitoba farmer-centred points-based system to a pure auction system.
Farmers, your political engagement matters
This election, don’t lose the chance to bring farming to the forefront
I have a message for every farmer in Manitoba, no matter what crop they grow or type of animals under their care: Now is the time to engage with all local candidates. Governance matters. On Oct. 3, Manitobans will elect 57 members of the legislative assembly. Every one of them will influence, for good or
France stacks the deck against bird flu but risks issues
France has launched its bird vaccination scheme amid fears of repeat H5N1 outbreaks
Of all the emerging and potentially pandemic viruses, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus H5N1 is one of the fiercest. First found in Hong Kong in 1997, it has a 60 per cent mortality rate when transmitted to humans. As of August, the World Health Organization has counted 878 human cases and 458 deaths
Opinion: Decoding Canada’s food inflation maze
Despite what it feels like, Canada’s story is one of agricultural and food system resilience
July’s food inflation data offers insights into the complex interplay of factors shaping our grocery bills. While some Canadians may be hesitant to acknowledge it, there is a gradual improvement taking place. The decrease in our food inflation rate from 8.3 per cent to 7.8 per cent, along with the narrowing gap between food inflation
Cropping with wonky weather
It’s time to start farming in a way that can absorb weather curve balls
A farmer friend challenged me about what he considered alarming statements related to climate change. He sighed and said “a temperature bump of 1.5 C probably won’t bother me.” There is a difference between climate and weather. For example, the climate in July 2023 was 1.5 C higher on average than pre-industrial (before 1850) average
The problem with giants
Saskatchewan’s Brandt Group of Companies is celebrating another addition. As reported in this issue, the equipment company recently announced its acquisition of Wairarapa Machinery Services Ltd., its 18th location in New Zealand. In a press release dated Aug. 31, CEO Shaun Semple says the deal is “uniting the entire North Island under one dealer brand”
Opinion: Keep balance in research funding
Many ingredients went into the mix that resulted in the extraordinary success of agriculture in feeding a growing population. There’s the ability of farmers to constantly learn and increase their management skills. There are also vast improvements in technology – mechanical, digital and biological – that have come from researchers in both private companies and
Opinion: Meat processors key link in local food value chain
The labour issues in the sector didn’t pop up overnight
Labour shortages have long been a challenge for the meat processing sector. It creates problems for meat processing businesses and also makes it harder for farmers to access much-needed processing capacity for their livestock when animals are ready for market. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified the skilled worker shortage, while driving an increase in consumer demand