Ralph Eichler Archives | Page 3 of 8

Speaking at at Ag Days in Brandon Jan. 16 Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler announced an average seven per cent drop in crop insurance premiums for the 2018 crop. Some other important changes to crop insurance were announced in a news release, including ending the pre-harvest deductible for corn and soybeans.

Lower crop insurance premiums, in 2018

The pre-harvest deductible on corn and soybeans is ending and CHNR wheat gets its own category

By Allan Dawson January 17, 2018

A host of changes, including lower premiums, are coming to crop insurance for the coming season. Speaking at Ag Days on Jan. 16 Ralph Eichler, the provincial agriculture minister told farmers they can expect to pay less, to no longer have pre-harvest deductibles for corn and soybeans, and to see changes in soybean coverage and

At Ag Days in January Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler announced legislation to streamline KAP’s checkoff. The legislation went from second reading to Royal Assent in just four and a half days and will take effect Dec. 1.

Local news

Streamlined, improved KAP checkoff takes effect Dec. 1

Bill 35 went from second reading to Royal assent in just four and a half days

By Allan Dawson November 10, 2017

The Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) will have an improved membership checkoff in place Dec. 1, the start of its new fiscal year, thanks to legislation that was passed and given royal assent Nov. 9 and 10, respectively. Bill 35, the Agricultural Producers Organizations Funding Act, passed third reading unanimously in Manitoba legislature, following a marathon

During KAP’s Nov. 1 advisory council meeting Starbuck farmer Ed Rempel said he shared concerns raised by Butch Harder of Lowe Farm about losing farmer representation if five Manitoba commodity groups merge into one association.

Crops, Local news

Commodity merger gets chilly reception from some

Some farmers worried over loss of input

By Allan Dawson November 10, 2017

The Keystone Agricultural Producers’ (KAP) meeting room was chilly, then Starbuck farmer Ed Rempel explained why. “Well Mr. Chairman, I think hell just froze over because I agree with everything Butch Harder just said.” The room erupted with laughter. Harder, a KAP District 3 representative who farms at Lowe Farm, had just told KAP’s fall

Manitoba Beef Producers president Ben Fox (l to r) and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler mark the proclamation of Beef Week 2017.

Beef cattle, Local news

Province marks Beef Week

Beef Week was proclaimed the same week Ag Ex brought in  cattle from far and wide to Brandon

By Alexis Stockford November 3, 2017

Beef producers got a provincial boost to their promotion and public trust efforts during the last days of October. Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler proclaimed Beef Week Oct. 24, one day ahead of Ag Ex in Brandon, one of three major fairs run by the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba and host to Manitoba’s largest all-breeds cattle

Purple fuel is exempt from Manitoba’s $25-a-tonne carbon plan that starts next year, but the province hasn’t decided if the exemption will apply to barn heating or grain dryer fuels. Premier Brian Pallister rolled out his Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan at Oak Hammock Marsh Oct. 27.

Local news

Purple farm fuels exempted from Manitoba carbon tax

The government is emphasizing the newly released ‘Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan’ is much more than just a carbon tax and is seeking citizen feedback

By Allan Dawson November 1, 2017

Purple fuel won’t be subject to Manitoba’s proposed carbon tax, but that exemption may not be extended to heating for barns, greenhouses and grain dryers. The plan calls for Manitoba to bring in a flat $25-a-tonne carbon tax coming next year, rather than the federal government’s $10-a-tonne levy that would rise over time to $50

Farmers busy with harvest are now simultaneously having to contemplate  major changes to how they can use incorporation to manage their businesses.

News

Succession planning at risk

Frustration over Ottawa’s proposed changes to small-business taxation continues to mount

By Shannon VanRaes September 21, 2017

Farmers are being urged to join the chorus of opposition facing the federal government’s proposed tax changes. Manitoba’s minister of agriculture has already added his voice to the growing calls for Ottawa to reconsider the massive overhaul and Keystone Agricultural Producers is asking its members to participate in government consultations before the October 2 deadline.

This barn at the Glenlea Research Station will be retrofitted for dairy research.

Dairy cattle, Local news

Mechanization focus of new dairy research

Dairy research facilities to get update at  Glenlea Research Station

By Shannon VanRaes August 28, 2017

Dairy research in Manitoba has got a $1.4-million boost. Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler made the announcement at the University of Manitoba last week, indicating the cash will be used to retrofit an existing hog barn for dairy research at the Glenlea Research Station, just south of Winnipeg. “It’s

Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay speaks during an event at the University of Manitoba.

Dairy cattle, News

Dairy issue to be contentious

As the first round of NAFTA talks wraps up, government reaffirms commitment to supply management

By Shannon VanRaes August 25, 2017

Canada’s minister of agriculture says concessions in non-supply-managed commodities will not be offered up to U.S. negotiators as a way to ensure the security of Canada’s dairy industry during the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. “I’ve never heard that said except in the media,” said Minister Lawrence MacAulay, following an announcement at

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

Comment/Feedback

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

By Allan Dawson August 15, 2017

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

Editorial, Opinion

Editorial: Less water, more grass

By John Morriss July 27, 2017

A few hundred thousand here, a few million there. Manitoba’s PC government is rightly or wrongly getting plenty of attention for its trimming of the health-care and education systems. But it’s time for this government to start saving some real money. The Red River Basin Commission recently held meetings to mark the 20th anniversary of the

Alberta hog farmers to get set-aside via AgriRecovery

No credit expected for farmers’ past work in new carbon market

Spring road bans coming into effect across Prairies

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