paterson grain terminal sign

Farmers, grain companies want federal government to continue railway shipping targets

Ritz’s office says he and the transport minister haven’t made a decision yet

Farm groups and grain companies said last week their grain transportation woes are far from over as the federal government considers whether to keep or lift minimum movement orders for the railways. In an emailed statement Oct. 31, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz’s office appeared to backtrack from a news story earlier in the week saying

grain terminal

KAP calls for mandatory reporting of grain prices

Farmers need more 
information

Farmers are finding the promise of marketing freedom rings hollow in the absence of enough price information to make informed decisions. Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) is calling on federal and provincial governments to implement mandatory price reporting on agricultural commodities, similar to what exists in the U.S. “We’ve been given the right to freedom and choice


flooded field

AgriRecovery talks continue between Manitoba and Ottawa

Stay tuned for a ‘potential announcement,’ says agriculture minister

An AgriRecovery program for flooded Manitoba farmers is still on the table, but they shouldn’t get their hopes too high, warns Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) president Doug Chorney. AgriRecovery is supposed to help farmers following disasters when existing programs such as AgriStability, AgriInvest and AgriInsurance fall short. Discussions about AgriRecovery continue between the Manitoba and

A flooded field in Manitoba this past July.

KAP, APAS fear pleas for AgriRecovery falling on deaf ears

KAP says aid is needed to offset some of the ongoing affects of excessive moisture and cuts to AgriStability

Hopes are fading of extra federal and provincial assistance for farmers affected by moisture this year, Manitoba and Saskatchewan farm leaders say. “I am very concerned, unlike in 2011 when I had a real good feeling that government would be doing something for farmers,” Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) president Doug Chorney said in an interview


Swathed canola near Elphinstone awaits drier weather.  Photo: Laura Rance

Rain, rain go away

Recent rains and forecasts for more along with shorter days and cooler temperatures are delaying Manitoba’s harvest

Harvest is looking like spring — too wet. Most of agro-Manitoba received rain last week, and again over the long weekend with more was forecast for this week, prompting concerns about harvest delays and deteriorating grades. “I think everyone is pretty worried about this is affecting the quality of grain, especially wheat,” Keystone Agricultural Producers’

photo: DANIEL BETZE

Opposition seeks high ground as flood waters recede

Manitoba’s opposition party wants action on flood mitigation 
but is a little shallow on details

There are some muddy politics swirling around Manitoba’s flood waters. On July 30, Manitoba’s opposition Tories called for a moratorium on drainage in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as part of a Progressive Conservative plan to reduce flooding. Tory water critic, Shannon Martin said he had asked “the province to engage our counterparts in Saskatchewan to


A field of hay was under water within hours after there was an intentional breach on the west side of the Portage Diversion July 4. It would have been the first hay harvested from the field since 2010. Local landowners want help.  Photo: Sandi Knight

Hazy disaster aid outlook for flooded farmers

There are ongoing discussions, but no action for producers still seeking compensation for 2012 flooding

Contrary to reports last week, governments have not ruled out additional assistance through AgriRecovery for flooded Prairie farmers, an official with Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz’s office said Monday. However, it’s not officially on the table either — at least not yet. The minister’s office was busy trying to clarify reports emerging from a July 18

Viterra files service complaint against CN Rail to CTA

A trickle of cases alleging inadequate rail service for grain could turn into a torrent

Viterra is the latest organization headed to transportation court seeking better rail service for grain. It filed a level-of-service complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) against CN Rail June 20 alleging the railway breached its level-of-service obligations by failing to provide cars in accordance with CN’s car-rationing plan. Industry observers don’t expect it to


Clubroot affects thousands of acres in Alberta where the disease was discovered 10 years ago. Two infected fields were confirmed in Manitoba earlier this year.

Oil industry can help fight spread of clubroot

KAP wants companies to clean their equipment between locations

Delegates also passed resolutions on water management, but won’t be 
organizing a mass demonstration at the legislature

Oilfield equipment needs to be cleaned as it enters and exits Manitoba farmland to prevent the spread of clubroot, says a resolution passed by the Keystone Agricultural Producers’ general council Oct. 17. It was one of six resolutions debated. Five were passed and one was defeated. “It’s not that big of a deal,” said Cromer

AgriStability changes unwelcome

Opinions on the effectiveness of AgriStability may differ, but most feel farmers are getting shortchanged

Producers will have to take a close look at their farm’s finances before deciding if AgriStability is the right program for them in the coming years, say Prairie farm leaders. Last fall, changes were made to how program payouts are triggered. For some producers these changes will come into effect in 2013. “It’s all over