GFM Network News

More News →

Tag Archives National Farmers Union

A best-case scenario for agriculture would be to get back to the pre-agriculture state of carbon sequestration, but even that’s a tall order, a new NFU report says.
Farmit Manitoba

Carbon offsets not the right policy says NFU

The National Farmers Union says to instead incentivize farmers to preserve and enhance their soil

By
[UPDATED: June 4, 2021] Carbon offsets for Canadian farmers aren’t the way to mitigate climate change in Canada, according to the National Farmers Union (NFU). Paying farmers to store more carbon in their soil by selling credits to carbon emitters is touted as a way for farmers to earn more revenue and cut carbon emissions.
Protests aren’t uncommon in agriculture, so some say it’s only a matter of time before farmers are on the receiving end of new ‘critical infrastructure’ protection legislation.
News

Anti-protest bill threatens farmers’ rights to protest, says NFU

While some see Bill 57 as helping farmers, the long history of farmer protest suggests eventually it will affect them too

By
When considering the province’s ‘anti-protest’ protection of critical infrastructure bill, consider that farmers also have a long history of protest, the NFU says. “It’s going to affect the entire public,” said Anastasia Fyk, a board member with Manitoba’s branch of the National Farmers Union. Bill 57, the Protection of Critical Infrastructure Act, proposes to allow
By allowing U.S.-grown grain of all types into our grain-handling and export system, we can also expect impacts on our grain transportation system.
Comment, Op/Ed

Comment: Will Canada’s grain farmers be collateral damage?

The rush to pass Bill C-4 saw a number of under-the-radar changes shoehorned into the legislation

By
Canada is confronting an unprecedented crisis as we deal with the global COVID-19 pandemic. On March 12 Prime Minister Trudeau and at least two other MPs had to self-isolate after being exposed to the virus. The following day, Parliament decided not to carry on business as usual, and moved to recess until April 20. At
“This is not in the interests of Canadian farmers, thus contrary to the CGC mandate,” says the NFU.
News

CUSMA grain act changes stir controversy

The NFU says the amendments should be on hold until the public can weigh in on the grain act review

By
Changes are coming to the Canada Grain Act to comply with NAFTA 2.0 — and that’s sparking concern in some quarters. Stewart Wells, former National Farmers Union president and current second vice-president of the group, says the proposed legislation (Bill C-4) inserts unnecessary clauses, and is being rushed through just weeks before planned public consultations
Dean Harder farms near Lowe Farm, Manitoba.
News

Farmer-led campaign to inform, lobby for climate solutions

Farmers for Climate Solutions wants any conversation on climate change to include agriculture

By
A Manitoba farmer says a new agriculture-led campaign for climate solutions gives producers a chance to learn from each other while moving the needle on climate action. “This gives a place, a location for those that have that mentality — I think the majority of farmers actually fit in that category — to make a
Canadian farmers can help save the planet and themselves by cutting petroleum-based farm inputs, according to a discussion paper written by farmer, researcher and author Darrin Qualman in co-operation with the National Farmers Union.
News

Rethinking the Green Revolution

Canada needs to ‘swing for the fences’ and transform its agriculture, says a new discussion paper

By
The climate change and farm income crisis have many of the same causes and solutions, according to a major new discussion paper. Cutting back on petroleum-based inputs, including nitrogen fertilizer, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and increase net farm incomes by lowering input costs. The result: more farmers and revitalized rural communities, says the
“Most Canadian farms continue to be in a very good financial position. The farm debt-to-asset ratio is lower than the 15-year average, and the net worth of Canadian farms has grown steadily over the past decade.” – J.P.Gervais.
News

Are Canadian farmers in crisis?

According to the NFU they are, but FCC says despite tougher times the sector remains financially sound

By
The National Farmers Union (NFU) says Canadian farmers are in financial crisis, but Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is less pessimistic. Farmers are facing tougher times, but not like in the 1980s, J.P. Gervais, FCC’s vice-president and chief agricultural economist, said in an interview Dec. 2. “I wouldn’t call this a crisis,” he said. After several
Soil-stored carbon is easily released due to warmer temperatures or drought, a recent discussion paper claims.
News

Sequestering carbon won’t solve climate change

By
Some farmers say they’ve already done their bit for climate change through reduced tillage, but it’s a dubious argument, according to the National Farmers Union (NFU). “We should not become confused by claims that we can somehow fix the climate crisis by pulling carbon out of the atmosphere and ‘sequestering’ it in soils,” says an
Dean Harder of Lowe Farm is the third generation of his family to be an active member of the National Farmers Union.
Farmit Manitoba, Local news

‘Union farmers’ a family affair at Lowe Farm

The Harder family says the NFU is a necessary, and often ahead 
of its time, voice in farm policy debates as the organization turns 50

By
Lowe Farm seed grower Wilf (Butch) Harder used one of his characteristic quick-witted comebacks last week in answer to a friend’s observation that he doesn’t fit the stereotype of a National Farmers Union member. “Just because you’re a socialist doesn’t mean you have to be poor,” quipped Harder, as he celebrated the farm organization’s 50th

Special Podcast

AgCanadaTV

AGCanadaTV: In Case You Missed It – Your National Ag News Recap for the week ending June 18, 2021.

Sponsored By:
More Videos →

Daily Newsletter

You'll receive current daily news every morning free, as well as market updates and special features.