Dairy Commissioner Jennifer Hayes.

Jennifer Hayes named dairy commissioner

Outspoken supply management advocate latest member of industry body

Jennifer Hayes, a Shigwake, Que. dairy producer, is now commissioner of the Canadian Dairy Commission. Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced the three-year term Jan. 3. The CDC is a Crown corporation established in 1966 to co-ordinate federal and provincial dairy policies and create a control mechanism for milk production aimed to avoid shortages and surpluses,

The rangeland and pasture health assessment tool aims to help land users and producers determine potential plant community composition, forage production, stocking rates and the impacts of management practices on ecological functions.

Creating a better process for assessing pasture

Stakeholders from across the industry are currently working together to develop 
a Manitoba-focused rangeland and pasture health assessment

Following in the footsteps of our Prairie neighbours, Manitoba is working towards developing a customized rangeland and pasture health assessment. “The project is born out of similar initiatives that started in the United States, Alberta and then Saskatchewan. They have developed these tools for assessing rangeland health, looking at various indicators like bare soil, litter


Wheat hybrids possible but are benefits big enough?

Wheat hybrids possible but are benefits big enough?

Some wonder if the money would be better spent on open-pollinated lines while 
finding better ways seed companies can get financial returns

It seems commercializing hybrid wheat has been just over the horizon for years, but it’s now on the market in Europe and Marcus Weidler, head of Seeds Canada, for Bayer CropScience, says the company is developing hybrid wheat for Canada. “Hybrid wheat in Europe is a commercial reality,” Weidler said in a Dec. 15 interview.

Concept of making money agriculture

WCWGA wants reduced Canadian Grain Commission fees, refund

Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay will discuss CGC fees with the new commissioners 
and the commission will consult the grain sector on the issue this winter

The Western Canadian Wheat Growers wants to see a cut to Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) fees and the full and immediate refund to farmers of millions of dollars in surplus CGC earnings. That call, contained in a press release issued by the group Jan. 3, seemed unlikely as of press time. “With approximately $100 million


CFIA expects the livestock industry won’t find any surprises in proposed amendments to humane livestock transportation regulations.

CFIA proposes new humane livestock transport regulations

The proposed regulations cover everything from assessment of livestock’s fitness for transport to dealing with unfit and compromised animals and hot and cold weather

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has released proposed amendments to its humane livestock transportation regulations, the first significant update of rules that date back to 1997. The regulations are available for comments from farm and other organizations until Feb. 15. Livestock groups say they’re studying the lengthy documentation and would offer any suggestions by the

Bill Brown, president and CEO of Adjuvants Plus Inc., explained his company’s new product called DONguard during the 8th Canadian Workshop on Fusarium Head Blight Nov. 22 in Ottawa. It’s a biocontrol for fusarium head blight. Brown said he hopes to have DONguard registered in Canada and the U.S. in 18 months.

New product pits fungus against fungus

If DONguard gets into the plant first, it occupies the space fusarium would take and also consumes invading fusarium, according to the company that hopes to commercialize it

A new weapon to battle fusarium head blight (FHB) fights fire with fire. The traditional tools have been agronomy, genetic resistance bred into new cultivars and fungicides — the latter sprayed on wheat and other cereal crops to protect them from the potentially devastating fungus disease that can cut yields and quality. But a fungus


The Canadian Grain Commission building in Winnipeg.

Canadian Grain Commission operating without commissioners as of Dec. 5

The CGC can continue to operate and fulfil most of its duties until the federal government appoints new commissioners

[Updated Dec. 7, 2016] – The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) has no commissioners, but it’s business almost as usual, until new ones are appointed, says Remi Gosselin, the CGC’s manager, corporate information services. “We can continue to function on a short-term basis without commissioners, but we wouldn’t be able to issue orders or make regulations,”

The CFIA spends much of its time and budget on inspection and regulation of meat-processing plants.

Action finally in sight on CFIA modernization

Changes were first promised more than five years ago 
but were derailed by a federal election

After a five-year gestation period, proposed changes to modernize the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are about to arrive at the delivery room. Speaking to the annual meeting of the Canadian Meat Council, Health Minister Jane Philpott said publication of the changes in the Canada Gazette is imminent. The government publishes proposed regulatory changes in Part


The Canadian Grain Commission is located in downtown Winnipeg.

Deadline to apply for Canadian Grain Commission executive positions extended

The jobs involve lots of travel in and outside of Canada and good salaries


You still have time to apply for one of the top jobs at the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC). The deadline to apply for the positions of commissioner, assistant chief commissioner and chief commissioner has been extended to Oct. 3 from Aug. 17. Although all three positions are appointed by the federal cabinet, those interested in

Hand going through the field

Want to be a Canadian Grain Commission commissioner?

There isn’t much time 
left to apply and you’ll 
face some stiff 
competition

If you always wanted to be a Canadian Grain Com­mission (CGC) commissioner, now’s your chance. Same for assistant chief commissioner and chief commissioner. The Canadian government is advertising the three positions, which are cabinet appointments, on the CGC’s website. Applicants must apply online. The deadline is Aug. 17. The jobs involve lots of travel in and outside of Canada and good salaries.