Trade impacts from the CFIA’s gene editing 
decision are vastly different
on either side of the organic conventional
line.

The trade take on CFIA’s gene-editing decision

Canada joins many countries friendly to GE crops, but some regions and organic markets will continue to opt out

When it comes to grain trade, systems that provide transparency and choice for customers will likely continue to be important as more gene-edited crops hit the market. “We’re working proactively on some of these approaches,” said Krista Zuzak, director of crop protection and production with Cereals Canada. WHY IT MATTERS: Trade impacts from the CFIA’s gene-editing decision are vastly different on either

Canada’s new agriculture minister, Marie-Claude Bibeau, sworn in March 1, made her first formal address March 7 to the inaugural Canadian Crops Convention in Montreal where she stressed her priorities include ensuring market access for Canadian agricultural exports. Bibeau told reporters she was surprised there hasn’t been a female agriculture minister until now given the role women play in family farms.  PHOTO: ALLAN DAWSON

Market access, trade priorities for Canada’s new ag minister

Marie-Claude Bibeau acknowledges challenges in first speech

Ensuring market access, including getting Canadian canola into China, and promoting trade, are top priorities for Canada’s new agriculture minister, Marie-Claude Bibeau. “I already understand we have ongoing market access issues that I have to get into really quickly… ” Bibeau, sworn in March 1, told reporters after her first public address as agriculture minister


Carryover and low quotas lead to Chinchillas?

Carryover and low quotas lead to Chinchillas?

Our History: November, 1969

A combination of low prices and low quotas resulting from a huge Canadian and world wheat carryover in 1969 meant tough times for farmers, and this ad in our Nov. 13 issue invited them to diversify by getting into the Chinchilla ranching business. However, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool president E.K. Turner told his annual meeting that

Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler says government needs to have the right support programs to meet farmers’ needs.

Analysis: AgriStability review welcomed, but can it be fixed without more money?

KAP says in 2013 the program switched from farm income stability to disaster relief

After cuts to AgriStability five years ago, then Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) president Doug Chorney predicted “AgriStability will be losing support… from farmers because it really has got to be questionable if you’ll ever see a payment.” He was right. Participation is down. In 2013, there were 7,015 Manitoba farmers enrolled in the federal-provincial ‘business


John De Pape discussed the cash grain price service he is working on for the Alberta Wheat Commission during the Keystone Agricultural Producers’ General Council meeting in April.

Cash grain price service up and running

More information is coming

Economists agree key to a successful open grain market is, well, openness, which includes easy access to accurate market information such as cash prices. To that end the Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) launched the first phase of its free, new web-based Crop Data and Price Reporting initiative Sept. 8. Price & Data Quotes (PDQ) aims



two petri dishes of grain samples

Infrared technology identifies and removes fusarium-infected grain

Technology coming to Winnipeg feed mill will also provide the building blocks for a new biomass fuel

A Winnipeg feed mill is about to become the first in North America to install infrared grain-sorting technology in a commercial facility. Thanks in part to $1.1 million in funding from Growing Forward 2, Standard Nutrition Canada will integrate two BoMills into its St. Boniface facility over the next four months. The main allure of

Souris River flooding north of Melita, Man.

KAP still pushing AgriRecovery

The Manitoba and Saskatchewan governments say they’re still assessing the damage

Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) continues to build a case for an AgriRecovery program to assist Manitoba farmers who couldn’t seed or lost crops due to flooding or excessive moisture this season. “We’re continuing to engage as many members as we can to get information and provide supporting rationale for a program,” KAP president Doug Chorney


The Assiniboine was expected to crest at the Portage la Prairie Diversion earlier this week.  Photo: Shannon VanRaes

KAP calls for special assistance

It’s urging the province to request AgriRecovery

Farm leaders are calling for special disaster assistance as flood losses in Manitoba appear ready to top the billion-dollar flood of 2011. “It’s pretty hard to ignore the fact that there is a widespread problem that needs attention from all levels of government because rural municipalities and farmers on their own just can’t cope with