a red tractor obscured in dust while working in dry soils. Pic: Alexis Stockford

The double-edged sword of being an agricultural innovator

Canadian agriculture needs innovation and resilience, but being first in line also means taking on risk, sometimes without much of a safety net

A new report suggests Canada’s farmers have been “overly reliant” on business risk management programs such as crop insurance, AgriStability and AgriRecovery as “the only risk management solution.” Should farmers now go out on a limb trying new ways to mitigate those risks?



Parliament Hill, in Ottawa – Ontario, Canada. Photo: Ulysse Pixel

Agriculture ministers agree to AgriStability changes

federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million

federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million



Electioneering overload

Electioneering overload

This has been a more-bruising-than-usual national campaign

Grainews editor Dave Bedard says farmers might not like politics, but they need to engage in it if they want to be heard - even with candidates they might not personally support.





Premier Wab Kinew, with Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn (left) and Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations Glen Simard (far left), announce farm support against tariffs at Maple Leaf Foods in Brandon April 2.

New money to pad Manitoba farms against tariff pain: UPDATED

Farm business risk management support announced as part of Manitoba’s anti-tariff economic defence

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said the province would be bolstering the safety net offered by agricultural business risk management programs with more than $150 million in provincial funds, including $10 million to match federal AgriStability funding and $140.8 million for other programs such as AgriInvest, AgriInsurance and wildlife damange compensation.

A trade war could be just as damaging to farmers as a drought, so business risk management programs should be adapted to reflect this, said Tyler McCann from the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute. | Getty Images

Policy institute calls for open review of ag spending

It’s been 13 years since agricultural spending was reviewed, and some programs may no longer meet producer needs

A full-scale review of Canadian agricultural spending should be a top priority in this time of global uncertainty, said a new report from the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute.