Court rules against ex-wheat board directors

Former Canadian Wheat Board directors may appeal a Manitoba’s Court of Queens Bench ruling that rejected their bid to delay implementation of the federal legislation removing the board’s monopoly as of Aug. 1. “We think there are a number of areas where the judge erred and we’re considering an appeal,” Bill Toews, one of the


Take advantage of the the good times while they last: Bonnett

With farm incomes better than they’ve been in a long time, farmers need to take advantage of market opportunities without stretching themselves too thinly, says Ron Bonnett, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. That means doing everything from telling Canadians about the importance of the agri-food industry to the national economy to making sure

Canola, wheat now neck and neck for acreage

Canola area is seen at 19.4 million acres and wheat will be at 19 million acres Canadian farmers will plant a record-large area to canola this year as they take advantage of attractive prices and dry conditions, the annual Wild Oats GrainWorld outlook conference heard on Monday. Canola area will soar to 19.4 million acres,



U.S. farm co-op buying Canada durum

The largest U.S. grain co-operative, CHS Inc., is buying Canadian durum and looks to bulk up on other crops there to seize the “phenomenal” opportunity left by the end of the Canadian Wheat Board marketing monopoly later this year, a CHS executive told Reuters Feb. 27. In mid-December, a Canadian bill became law that will


CFIA accountability process strengthened

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is taking steps to become more accountable to farmers and food processors. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has released new CFIA policies on rights and services that outline its service standards and what the agri-food sector can expect when dealing with the agency. “We know there is always room to improve,”

Grain commission defended

With the Canadian Wheat Board’s monopoly soon to disappear there’s talk of overhauling Canada’s grading and quality control system, which begs the question: is the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) still needed? “The short answer is yes, there is a need for the grain commission,” chief commissioner Elwin Hermanson said in an interview March 1. “If


CGC back on drawing board

The Canadian Grain Commission is on the federal government’s radar — again. Last month the commission announced its latest proposals for “modernizing” itself, and the Canada Grain Act it administers. The public has until March 23 to respond. The commission, established in 1912, is Canada’s grain industry watchdog, ensuring the quality of grain exports, arbitrating

Wheat board signs first handling agreement with Cargill

It took awhile, but the Canadian Wheat Board announced its first handling agreement with a grain company last week and promises more to come. “These are important negotiations so we’re working through them carefully and meticulously,” Dave Simonot, the board’s director of Farm Services told farmers attending the Deerwood Soil and Water Management Association’s annual