Canadian Canola Growers Association CEO Rick White told the House of Commons agriculture committee March 19 in Ottawa it’s time to double the limit on cash advances to $800,000.

Request to double cash advance limit to $800,000

Rick White says it will help farmers get through the 
grain backlog, but is also justified because farms are 
much bigger than when the limit was last raised

It’s time to up the limit on cash advances. Doubling the limit on cash advances to $800,000 will help western grain farmers struggling with reduced cash flow due to the grain transportation backlog, says Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) CEO Rick White. It’s also justified because the limit hasn’t been increased for 12 years and

Proposed changes to rail shipping legislation could be deregulation by stealth, the NFU worries.

NFU worried C-49 will help railways, hurt farmers

Terry Boehm believes the new legislation gives the railways too much wiggle room on grain service

The National Farmers Union (NFU) fears Bill C-49, the Transportation Modernization Act, will further deregulate the railways, resulting in poorer service for western Canadian grain farmers, not better. The opposite view is held by most farm groups, grain companies and even the railways, all of whom want the legislation to revise the Canada Transportation Act


Canola Growers kick-starts cash advance program

Canola Growers kick-starts cash advance program

Earlier applications, better service and lower costs on offer this year

The Canadian Canola Growers Association is reminding farmers 2018-19 cash advance applications are now available. CCGA says it’s giving farmers a jump-start on spring with the group’s earliest-ever pre-application period and a reduced administration fee for its Advance Payments Program. “Many farmers take advantage of an intended seeded advance, which provides them with cash flow

Richardson International's oilseed processing facility at Yorkton, Sask.

Perhaps more could’ve been done to address Richardson’s concerns

In hindsight rising council membership fees and declining commodity prices probably contributed 
to the grain company’s decision to leave, says canola council chair

In hindsight the Canola Council of Canada might have been able to do more to address Richardson International’s concerns with the rising cost of council membership, council chair David Dzisiak told reporters March 8. Dzisiak told reporters following the council’s annual general meeting that an agriculture sector downturn has everyone looking harder at the bottom


The Canola Council of Canada is reviewing its priorities in the wake of losing Richardson International, Canada’s largest grain company, says president Jim Everson. The company declined to renew its membership in 2018.

Canola council reviewing priorities

Richardson withdrawal prompts soul-searching session at AGM

Outside the Canola Council of Canada’s annual business meeting March 8 there were palm tress, cacti and deep-blue Kodachrome skies offering a respite from Western Canada’s cold and snow. But inside was an elephant, acknowledged, but never named, called Richardson International. The nod came when council president Jim Everson announced the council is reviewing its

Canola Growers calls for co-ordinated food policy

Canola Growers calls for co-ordinated food policy

The national rethink of food policy is a perfect opportunity to get rid of a conflicting regulatory and promotional mishmash

The federal government needs to get its house in order if it wants an effective national food policy. In particular it needs to provide more co-ordinated policies for farmers, according to Jack Froese, president of the Canadian Canola Growers Association, speaking recently to the Commons agriculture committee in Ottawa. The problem isn’t a lack of


Rapeseed field and sun

Online voting an option for MCGA

There are four director slots up for grabs this year, so a formal vote isn’t a foregone conclusion

Manitoba canola producers are poised to make history if an election is necessary this fall. The Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) is set to offer optional online voting along with traditional mail-in ballots if an election is needed this fall to fill four board of directors’ positions. MCGA approved a bylaw change allowing for online

Jack and Dianne Froese are the 2017 Red River Ex Farm Family of the Year.

Jack and Dianne Froese 2017 Red River Ex Farm Family

The Winkler couple has been recognized for commitment 
to the industry and environmental stewardship

Jack and Dianne Froese are the 2017 Red River Exhibition Farm Family of the Year. They operate Froese Enterprises near Winkler where they grow field crops, including pulses, soybeans and canola. They began farming in the 1970s and as young farmers they were interested in environmental stewardship, leading them to adopt numerous practices including cultivating environmentally friendly


grain cars

Grain sector likes transportation act changes

Time will tell, but the industry says the Bill C-49 changes should lead to better grain service

After decades of complaining about poor rail service for grain, western farmers and shippers say Bill C-49, the Transportation Modernization Act, is close to what they’ve been asking for. Wade Sobkowich, executive director of the Western Grain Elevator Association (WGEA), which represents Western Canada’s major elevator companies, said it includes most of the changes it

The five Manitoba commodity groups working towards a merger have no preconceived ideas on what a new association will look like, says Pam de Rocquigny, general manager of the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Association and Manitoba Corn Growers Association.

Commodity groups exploring merger

For now Manitoba’s canola, winter cereal and oat producer associations have opted to remain on their own

Five Manitoba commodity groups have signed a deal to spend the next year working towards a merger. The Manitoba Corn Growers Association (MCGA), Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers Association (MPSG), Manitoba Flax Growers Association (MFGA), National Sunflower Association of Canada (NSAC) and the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Association (MWBGA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU)