Canadian Grain Commission Archives - Page 16 of 59

Grain companies and farm groups are questioning whether moving to more specific measures of wheat quality provide enough benefit relative to the cost.

Grain-grading factors spur industry debate

By Allan Dawson July 6, 2019

Grain companies and farm groups question whether moving to more specific measures of wheat quality provide enough benefit relative to the cost

Western Canada’s major grain companies strongly oppose making falling number (FN) and DON official grading factors for wheat under the Canada Grain Act. And at least two farm groups — the Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) and Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) — are wary of the idea and want more information before any change. “The WGEA

Editorial, Opinion

Editorial: Interests aligned?

By Gord Gilmour July 6, 2019

Canada’s major grain companies — through their industry voice the Western Grain Elevator Association (WGEA) — have come out swinging against a discussion paper that puts analytical testing on the table (see Allan Dawson’s front-page story). The Canadian Grain Commission has been reviewing whether falling number and tests for the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) would serve

Grain Farmers of Ontario wants a trade war fund created that will provide support for the non-supply-managed sector during turbulent times.

Opinion, Other

Opinion: Time for a trade war fund

By Barry Senft June 24, 2019

According to the analysts, futures, input costs, land prices, and market unpredictability are all lining up to create what could be a perfect storm for grain farmers; and unlike our neighbours to the south or the supply-managed sector, we have an inadequate safety net. U.S. farmers received US$9 billion this past year because President Donald

The NFU is concerned that any outcome on the Canadian Grain Commission and farm-saved seed will favour the grain industry over farmers.

News, Other

NFU takes Canadian Grain Commission and royalties concerns to Ottawa

The National Farmers Union fears the ‘fix is in’ for the grain commission review

By Allan Dawson June 14, 2019

The future of the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) and farm-saved seed topped the list of issues the National Farmers Union (NFU) took to MPs in Ottawa June 5 and 6. “We’re trying to figure out what the situation is (with the CGC),” NFU 2nd vice-president Stewart Wells said in an interview June 6 from Ottawa.

Former Canadian Grain Commission assistant chief and acting chief commissioner Jim Smolik (r) contravened two sections of the Conflict of Interest Act, Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion said in his report released on May 30.

Local news, News, Other

Grain industry abuzz over ‘conflict of interest’ ruling of former CGC chief

Jim Smolik’s lawyer unsuccessfully argued there was no breach because there was no evidence he improperly took advantage of his former CGC office

By Allan Dawson June 6, 2019

Many people in Western Canada’s relatively small and collegial grain industry are puzzled how Jim Smolik ended up contravening Sections, 33 and 32(5), of the Conflict of Interest Act. A report prepared by the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner lays it all out. But according to several industry sources Smolik, a

Jim Smolik, shown here in a 2014 photo, contravened two sections of the Conflict of Interest Act, Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion says in a report released May 30, 2019. (Manitoba Co-operator photo by Allan Dawson)

Crops

Former CGC assistant chief commissioner broke conflict rules

By Allan Dawson, GFM Network News June 3, 2019

Jim Smolik, a former Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) assistant chief and acting chief commissioner, contravened post-employment obligations under the federal Conflict of Interest Act while working for Cargill Canada. That’s according to a 24-page report released May 30 by Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion. Dion ruled Smolik breached Sections 33 and 35(2)

News, Other

Stuck in the middle on world trade

In a world of trade disputes between economic superpowers, Canada needs to develop its capacity to respond quickly

By Allan Dawson April 25, 2019

Industry leaders say Canada needs to step up its efforts to protect the agricultural sector’s interest in what has been characterized as “… the most protectionist era since the Great Depression.” While it’s encouraging that reference by Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland shows the federal government is aware of the issues caused by rising trade

Lateral flow strip technology has made testing for DON faster and less expensive. The newest Raptor machine shown here in the CGC’s Grain Research Laboratory can run three samples simultaneously. The cartridge system also allows three replicates of a single sample to be run in the same well. The test takes three minutes. Once loaded the device operates unattended.

Local news, News

Farmers divided on wheat-grading changes at KAP

Should the grain commission add them as grading factors?

By Allan Dawson April 22, 2019

If falling number and DON (deoxynivalenol) are added as wheat-grading factors will it help or hurt wheat producers? That sums up the discussion after Doug Chorney, assistant chief commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC), spoke at the Keystone Agricultural Producers’ (KAP) advisory council on April 2. KAP didn’t take a position, but its Grain

Glyphosate residues on grain are an increasing concern among consumers, Fisher Branch farmer Paul Gregory told the Canadian Grain Commission’s assistant chief commissioner Doug Chorney at KAP’s meeting April 2. Chorney said Canada’s grain is safe.

Crops

Canadian grain is safe, Grain Commission’s Chorney says

The Canadian Grain Commission is aware of rising  consumer concerns about glyphosate residues

By Allan Dawson April 18, 2019

Canadian grain is safe when it comes to pesticide residues, says Doug Chorney, assistant chief commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC). “We’re very sensitive in our current monitoring programs to these concerns,” Chorney said here April 2 at the Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) advisory council meeting. During a question period Fisher Branch farmer Paul

Canadian farmers export 80 per cent of their production and the Canadian Grain Commission is important to that process, KAP president Bill Campbell says.

News

Farmers will get their say

KAP wants the CGC to continue adding value and protecting farmers

By Allan Dawson April 17, 2019

The Canada Grain Act and Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) review being led by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is in the preliminary stage and the entire grain sector is encouraged to provide input, says Michelle Bielik, AAFC’s director of the Crop and Supply Chain Policy Division in the Strategic Policy Branch. “We are right now

Daily Network News

U.S. livestock: Cattle strengthen Tuesday

Larkin to step down as Grain Growers of Canada Executive Director

Calling for bigger crops ahead of StatCan report

Tag Archives Canadian Grain Commission