Leaseholders pack into a fall 2019 meeting in Ste. Rose du Lac soon after the release of new Crown land regulations.

Province asks for feedback on Crown lands amendments

Producers are cautiously optimistic, but over three years of fighting casts a long shadow

The latest round of proposed changes to agricultural Crown lands has earned a tentative thumbs up from pasture and forage leaseholders. Leaseholders “were surprised by the changes proposed by the minister,” said Brent Benson, president of the Manitoba Crown Land Leaseholders Association. “After three years of obfuscation and defiance by previous ministers, it was refreshing to be

Letters: More hogs, more problems

In response to the May 26 Co-operator article “Meat industry hits hard times”. Without the benefit of taxpayers’ dollars (read: government support), the Manitoba hog industry (not farming) would have collapsed many years ago.  Born and raised on a farm, I appreciate the proper raising and care of swine. Pigs produced in a factory-type situation


I expect this will result in a patchwork of laws that are likely to make U.S. meat producers very uncomfortable. Ultimately, it could push Congress to set federal standards.

Comment: Court ruling could catalyze new wave of U.S. animal welfare laws

The precedent could leave pork trade to navigate an eventual legislative patchwork

Should California be able to require higher welfare standards for farm animals raised outside its borders if products from those animals are to be sold in California? On May 11, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the answer is yes. The result was determined by a 5-4 vote in the court case, National Pork Producers Council

Deal or no deal?

Expert's Radar: U.S. currency concerns can sway ag markets

In the TV game show Deal or No Deal, contestants pick briefcases in hopes of winning big cash prizes. The rules are simple, with an unseen ‘banker’ offering deals as the contents of the cases are slowly revealed. Will the contestant take a deal? Or will they risk it all by opening more cases in


China is the largest oilseed importer in the world. So when our market access is blocked, it has implications for Canadian trade.” – Jim Everson, Canola Council of Canada.

Commodity groups cast watchful eye on Canada-China trade

The diplomatic tit-for-tat over Chinese interference hasn’t affected agricultural exports so far

Agricultural exporters are optimistic that a trade war won’t result from the latest Chinese-Canadian diplomatic spat. The current dispute is the result of leaked reports from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, cited by the Globe and Mail. The reports indicated that Conservative Member of Parliament Michael Chong had been targeted by China for criticizing its

Warm temperatures are drying out fields in many areas of Western Canada allowing seeding efforts to kick off.

Lessons from a journey

Expert’s Radar: When embarking on an adventure — like growing a crop — taking things in stride is key

People who embark on lengthy cross-country journeys have always intrigued and inspired me. It takes a certain kind of dedication. I had a poster of “Man in Motion” Rick Hansen on my wall as a child and Terry Fox is obviously a legendary hero to all of Canada, but there are countless folks every year


Farmers compete with the European Union and the United States, both of which do not have tariffs on their crop fertilizers.

Comment: The fertilizer import tariff has to go, Minister Freeland

Tariffs add to the cost of doing business in farming and contribute to food price increases

The following is an open letter from the Ontario Agricultural Commodity Council to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland, requesting the removal of the fertilizer tariff that has been in place for more than a year. The letter was also copied to Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau. Dear Minister Freeland, On behalf of the Ontario

Financial dispute halts rural broadband expansion

Financial dispute halts rural broadband expansion

Leaked email reveals work stopped in February and there’s no plan yet to resume

The wait for remote broadband connectivity just got longer. A deal between the rural-focused internet provider Xplore and Manitoba Hydro to use the Crown corporation’s surplus fibre-optic cables recently ground to a halt. Xplore had planned to use them to bring broadband internet services to remote rural and northern communities, but it is now complaining


Bibeau returns from Indo-Pacific trade mission

The federal ag minister visited Japan and Singapore to discuss strategy, sustainability

Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau has returned from a one-week trade mission to Japan and Singapore. Expansion in the region is considered one of the top priorities for the government’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. Bibeau met with Canadian businesses and Japanese stakeholders in Tokyo. In Miyazaki, she discussed net zero initiatives, sustainable agriculture, resilient agriculture