wheat field

AAFC proposing two-tier crop variety registration system

One category would require merit testing and the other would only require the registrant to demonstrate a variety was new, distinguishable, uniform and stable

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is proposing to reduce Canada’s crop variety registration system from three tiers to two by 2016. One of the tiers would still include merit testing as part of the process for registering new wheats for western Canadian farmers, which is seen by many as an important tool in assuring wheat

MAFRD’s John Heard will receive the International Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) of the year award from the American Society of Agronomy at its annual meeting Nov. 5 in Long Beach, California.

MAFRD’s John Heard wins major international award

Soil scientist with creative extension techniques will be recognized by the American Society of Agronomy 
at its annual meeting Nov. 5 in Long Beach, California

John Heard probably wouldn’t claim he was one of the world’s top crop advisers, but if he did, he’d have the certificate to prove it. Heard, a soil fertility specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development in Carman, will receive the International Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) of the year award from the American Society


Doug Chorney

Five years lost as farmers wait for better default protection on grain sales

Leaving feed mills exempt from coverage under existing licensing and bonding leaves farmers vulnerable to losses

In 2009, western Canadian farm groups submitted a report to the Honourable Gerry Ritz, minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, outlining options for a program that would provide security to producers when grain buyers defaulted on payments. The main options were fund-based, insurance-based or bond-based programs. It was not that there wasn’t already a form

New deputy minister appointed to federal Agriculture Department

Andrea Lyon steps in as deputy minister as Suzanne Vinet retires

Andrea Lyon will have a hard act to follow when she takes over as deputy minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada succeeding Suzanne Vinet, who held the post for nearly two hectic years. Vinet is retiring after 28 years in the federal civil service including several stints in agriculture as well as senior executive posts


Small disasters wait under AAFC disaster relief program

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is good at delivering financial help to farmers caught in large-scale disasters but rather tardy in assisting in smaller incidents, says Auditor General Michel Ferguson. “Providing quick assistance to agricultural producers is a key goal of the Agri-Recovery program,” Ferguson says in his fall report to Parliament. Timeliness is important to

Farmers, Ottawa put $25.2 million over five years into national wheat research program

Canadian wheat research is getting a boost thanks to $25.2 million in farmer and federal government investment over the next five years. “The primary output will be new varieties, however, there will be other projects that look at breeding tools to support varieties,” said Garth Patterson, executive director of the farmer-funded Western Grains Research Foundation


The axe is falling again at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Union officials predict 400 job losses following Workforce Adjustment notices issued to almost 700 staff May 9. Beef research at the Brandon Research Centre is one of the casualties.  

Hundreds of jobs cut at Agriculture Canada

Farmers question the 
federal government’s 
commitment to publicly funded agricultural research

by Allan Dawson Almost 700 Agriculture and Agri-Food (AAFC) employees across Canada, including 55 in Manitoba, have been notified their jobs are on the line. Their unions say the notifications are part of a plan to eliminate an estimated 400 jobs as the federal government tries to cut spending. The Brandon Research Station’s beef research

New grains council president has deep roots in agriculture

Richard Phillips is a seed grower from Saskatchewan who has worked for several industry organizations

Richard Phillips is the new president of the Canada Grains Council. The 54-year-old has been the executive director of the Grain Growers of Canada for the past six years and is “ideally suited” for his new role, said grains council chair Chantelle Donohue. Phillips, a third-generation seed grower from Tisdale, Sask., has worked as an


A storied career and special man recognized by his many colleagues

Dennis Stephens has worked in the grain industry for 50 years 
as a reporter, grain industry official, and assistant deputy 
minister of agriculture

After a 50-year career in agriculture, they were lining up to praise — and gently rib — Dennis Stephens at the recent Canada Grains Council annual meeting. “Dennis is first and foremost a journalist with a passion for detail,” said Will Hill, president of Flax Council of Canada. Not to mention one with an appetite

Canada losing ground as food exporter

Despite being an agricultural powerhouse, Canada is losing ground as a supplier of food products to the rest of the world, says a new report from the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute. Last year Canada imported $6.3 billion more food products and beverages than it exported — and the deficit has grown steadily since 2004 when