A shortage of grain trains during the winter of 2013-14 prompted an early review of the Canadian Transportation Act.

Criticism of CTA review panel report continues to build

Agricultural economist Richard Gray says if the railway Maximum Revenue Entitlement ends the only alternative to protect farmers is running rights

Without a competitive rail market, or regulations to mimic one, scrapping the Maximum Revenue Entitlement (MRE) will encourage railways to ship less grain and charge more to do it, warns University of Saskatchewan agricultural economist Richard Gray. Gray was commenting on the Canada Transportation Act review panel report released two weeks ago. It recommends phasing

MPSG executive director Francois Labelle.

Grain shippers want emergency rules extended

Key clauses expire Aug. 1

Grain companies and farm groups want the federal government to extend regulations brought to deal with the grain transportation crisis of 2013-14 before they expire Aug. 1. The legislation formally known as Bill C-30 made several changes to the Canada Transportation Act, including expanding interswitching within 160 km of an interchange, instead of 30. It’s


Cigi CEO JoAnne Buth says Canada has an opportunity to sell more wheat.

Government should do more to support agricultural science

Agriculture needs to respond to consumer demands for more information

The global production and demand for wheat are rising in a lockstep that leaves low carry-over stocks and an opportunity for Canadian farmers to cash in, says JoAnne Buth, CEO of the Canadian International Grains Institute. Wheat is second only to rice as a dietary staple and shows no signs of losing its consumer desirability,

Rainbow over green wheat field

Survey to gauge changes in crop rotation

Data needed to measure climate benefit from changes farmers already made

Rather than wait for new rules on Canadian farms to cut greenhouse gas and carbon emissions, a crop researcher hopes to show how growers may have already helped to do so. Stuart Smyth, a professor in the University of Saskatchewan’s department of bioresources policy, business and economics, on Jan. 15 launched a national online farmer


How should farmers collect money for cereal varietal development — checkoffs, end point royalties or both?

How should farmers collect money for cereal varietal development — checkoffs, end point royalties or both?

Some farmers benefit from research without supporting it

For every dollar invested in wheat varietal development there’s a $20 return, says a study conducted several years ago by University of Saskatchewan agricultural economist Richard Gray and his colleagues. So why aren’t farmers investing more? “Because checkoffs are refundable. They can free ride. Full stop,” Gray said in an interview Jan. 14. Those who

PAMI trials new technology for cleaning swine trailers

PAMI trials new technology for cleaning swine trailers

Researchers have developed a promising new prototype that has the ability to clean 
swine trailers more efficiently while maintaining biosecurity standards

New technology for cleaning swine transportation trailers is showing promise in reducing labour and water requirements while maintaining or possibly improving biosecurity-related outcomes. “We believe that the system we are proposing is not an ultimate solution, but it certainly represents a good solution to better handle biosecurity concerns,” said Hubert Landry, research scientist with the





Railway rate deregulation arguments don’t add up, skeptics say

Railway rate deregulation arguments don’t add up, skeptics say

Competitive markets work, but the key is competition and that’s lacking in Canada’s rail sector

Consensus is rare in western Canadian grain transportation policy. That’s why when two economists who have spent decades sparring over contentious issues actually agree, people take notice. The sky didn’t fall, as Paul Earl joked it might, after admitting at a recent Winnipeg meeting that he is in agreement with University of Saskatchewan agricultural economist

Researchers believe wild boars are more prevalent than many people realize.

Tracking the elusive but destructive wild boar

The highly reclusive wild boar may be responsible for much more 
crop damage than previously thought

Ruth Kost has never seen a wild boar before but she’s hoping that will change after a summer spent tracking the elusive beast. “They don’t like to show themselves,” said the University of Saskatchewan master’s student. “They are kind of reclusive, they avoid people… and they’re very aware of hunting pressures.” But just because you