KAP questions checkoff administrator

The Keystone Agricultural Producers is miffed over a federal decision to appoint the Alberta Barley Commission as administrator for the new interim checkoff on western wheat and barley. “I can’t see why KAP couldn’t have handled it or why the Canola Growers or Corn Growers couldn’t,” KAP president Doug Chorney said in an interview last

Tax credits rise on wheat, barley

Staff / Wheat and barley growers whose money stayed in the Western Grains Research Foundation’s checkoff fund during 2011 can expect a relatively larger tax credit for their buck. Prairie growers — other than Alberta barley growers, who pay into a different checkoff fund — will see their WGRF checkoff money eligible for federal Scientific


Letters — for Mar. 8, 2012

Cattlemen’s checkoff story in error Regarding the story “CCA town hall: Showcases beef industry group’s ongoing efforts,” in the Feb. 16, 2012 edition of the Manitoba Co-operator, this article attributes incorrect information to Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) vice-president Martin Unrau regarding the allocations of the $1 national checkoff. Unrau was in fact talking about the

Saskatchewan checkoff doubles

Staff / Members of the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association have approved a plan to double the provincial checkoff on cattle sales to $2 a head. The decision came in a resolution passed at the SCA’s recent annual meeting, noting lobbying and marketing expenses continue to increase while the provincial checkoff hasn’t risen since 1987. Saskatchewan will


MBP Votes Thumbs Down On MCEC Checkoff

Co-operator staff / brandon The Manitoba Beef Producers has given a thumbs down on the $2-per-head voluntary checkoff for the Manitoba Cattle Enhancement Council. A resolution to eliminate the checkoff aimed at supporting beef slaughter capacity in the province was passed by a narrow margin of 24-21 after a vigorous debate at the recent MBP

Time To Pack It In?

Word was barely out that the federal government was withdrawing $10 million in financing for Keystone Processors Ltd. beef-slaughter facility last week and Manitoba Beef Producers was calling for an end to the Manitoba Cattle Enhancement Council. The association that is the voice of Manitoba beef producers, and which is supported by its own voluntary


Beef Agency Merger Back On Track

Aproposal to merge Canada’s national beef checkoff agency with its domestic and international marketing bodies will continue, as the checkoff agency moves to take back its marketing roles. The National Check-off Agency – the nickname for the Canadian Beef Cattle Research, Market Development and Promotion Agency – announced March 11 it now has “clear direction”

Federal Tax Credit For WGRF Checkoff

The Wes tern Grains Research Foundat ion is reminding producers that they are eligible for the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit on their checkoff investments. The tax credit percentages in 2010 are 74 per cent for wheat and 69 per cent for barley. The tax credit is earned at a rate of


Report Recommends Consolidating Beef Agencies

Amajor restructuring lies ahead for Canada’s cattle industry, following a working group’s recommendation to amalgamate three national beef agencies into one independent marketing organization. The move would see the Beef Information Centre, the Canada Beef Export Federation and the Canadian Beef Cattle Research, Market Development and Promotion Agency rolled into one super agency called Canada

New Book On Managing Prairie Rangeland

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has released an updated publication calledManagement of Canadian Prairie Rangeland.The book was written by Arthur Bailey, professor emeritus at the University of Alberta, Duane McCartney former forage and beef systems specialist at AAFC’s Lacombe Research Centre, and Michael Schellenberg, forage and range plant ecologist at AAFC’s Semiarid Agricultural Research Centre in