NAFTA2 has been signed! Hallelujah! Now it’s time for relief, recovery, resentment and dismay. RELIEF The vast majority of Western Canadian farmers will be relieved by the survival of NAFTA. (Editorial note: I refuse to use the term USMCA, and I suggest you do too. It’s propaganda. For the record, I also generally refuse to […] Read more
Opinion — page 3
NAFTA2 signed! Hallelujah! Now for the relief, the recovery, the resentment and dismay
For most Prairie farmers it's time to relax, it's a sad time to be a Canadian, and the future looks grim for dairy farmers without a national plan
Supply management works for Canada
The conflicting arguments surrounding Canada’s supply management system are bewildering. It’s either the model for a properly managed food system that is the envy of farmers in other countries or a ruthless Soviet-styled anachronism that is gouging consumers. Canada’s supply management system has its warts, but an analysis of the arguments, including the Western Producer’s […] Read more
For farmers, the Codex is crucial
Canadian farmers are rightly worried by the potential impact ongoing international trade disputes can have on their livelihoods. The uncertainty surrounding the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is just one of these concerns. However, there is another market access challenge that merits attention but may have escaped notice amid the twisted […] Read more
Your Producer journalists served you well
Most of you might not be aware that in this craft of agricultural journalism, a subset of the larger media industry, we have professional associations. One of the highlights of being a member of these groups is the annual competitions that allow us to see what the current standards in our business look like. As […] Read more
Kinship and mentorship go hand in hand for farm writers
Every year this country’s agriculture journalists and communicators gather some where in Canada for three-days of fun. The annual Canadian Farm Writers Federation’s conference is a chance to network within the industry while participating in a series of farm tours and professional development workshops. It’s also a chance to celebrate the accomplishments of some of […] Read more
‘Suck it up Buttercup’ not always helpful
Why all the talk about mental health issues among farmers? Has agriculture really become that tough or has our ability to cope become less with time? The delayed harvest is a major issue in many regions and that’s certainly frustrating and stressful, but it isn’t uncommon. In many recent years, September progress has been limited […] Read more
Letters to the editor – September 27, 2018
Funds will target tangible benefits Re: Surplus Investment Framework On Aug. 1, 2018, the Canadian Grain Commission announced the Surplus Investment Framework, which will invest $90 million in safeguards for producers, grain quality assurance, and grain quality science and innovation. These funds will be targeted on initiatives that will provide tangible benefits across the grain […] Read more
Leadership role increasingly important on today’s farms
There are aspects of managing farms today that didn’t appear on the radar screen in years past. One such aspect is human resource management. It wasn’t that long ago when the broader function of managing human resources on a farm did not warrant a lot of attention. This has changed. Even for more modest operations, […] Read more
Hog price crash forcing barn closures
What is the difference between pigs and cows? It’s a dumb question, you may say. Cattle are ruminants, meaning they have four stomachs, while pigs are monogastrics with one stomach. From my observation, cows are more aloof while pigs are more social. Another difference unique to North American pigs is they are one directional, moving […] Read more
Tax agency reviews Class 10 eligibility on farm vehicles
Many farmers and ranchers have received a letter from the Canada Revenue Agency reviewing their class 10 additions from 2015. Class 10 is a tax asset pool that allows you to write off your self-propelled equipment, such as trucks, SUVs, tractors, combines, at 30 percent per year. The CRA is reviewing the additions to ensure […] Read more
