Indigenous group has an important historical connection to Prairie farming, but opportunities remain elusive today
This is the last story in a series looking into the pools of human talent within Canada’s population that could help fill the growing labour shortage that is crippling many farms. David Beaudin has a joke that combines his two responsibilities in the Manitoba Metis Federation: “Our kids can be involved in any work they […] Read more
Ed White
Stories by Ed White
WP reporter has seen major changes in the last 30 years
Grain farming is radically different from the way it was in November 1994 when I started reporting for this newspaper. Back then, there were a couple of hundred thousand farmers working full-time growing grain on the Prairies. Most belonged to and delivered to elevators owned by the giant farmer co-operatives, such as Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, […] Read more
India’s food balancing act provides opportunities
Exporters work within government’s efforts to keep crop prices high enough for farmers but low enough for consumers
Despite India’s hopes of becoming self-sufficient in food and crop production, a leader of a powerful farm group in that country recently told the Canadian pulse and special crops sector that Canada can play an important role in the giant nation’s needs. “There are lots of opportunities where Pulse Canada and (the National Agricultural Cooperative […] Read more
Small crop traders worry about Statistics Canada data
Analysts blame consistent problems with production and export numbers on insufficient resources at the federal agency
Numbers matter in the special crops world — a lot. That was clear at the Canadian Pulse and Special Crops Conference, in which longstanding unhappiness with Statistics Canada’s data on a number of crops kept bubbling to the surface. “I’ve never agreed with StatsCan carry-over numbers on the small crops,” said Kevin Dick, president of […] Read more
Competition grows tougher for pulse exporters
International buyers turned to new suppliers during recent drought years, and it will be difficult to get the business back
Buyers from around the world were in Winnipeg last week for the Canadian Pulse and Special Crops Trade Convention. However, the sobering news for Canadian farmers, marketers and processors was that those buyers don’t always have to rely on Canada these days. “For a number of crops, like durum, like flax, Canadian isn’t the … […] Read more
South Asians want ag jobs, but lack opportunity
Immigrants from countries such as India have a deep passion for agriculture but are unaware of what’s available
This story is part of a series looking into the pools of human talent within Canada’s population that could help fill the growing labour shortage that is crippling many farms. Diljeet Brar knows the pain of not being a farmer. It’s common in his very urban Sikh community in Winnipeg. Thousands of fellow South Asians […] Read more
Exporters advised to treat smaller markets with respect
Trade diplomat says brushing off prospective customers if higher-paying markets come knocking can create bad blood
Relationships matter. That’s important to understand in the Indo-Pacific region, where there is enormous potential but where customers need to be treated respectfully, according to Canada’s new agricultural trade representative in the region. “Be very careful about going into a market and the expectations that are raised, and not being able to meet those,” said […] Read more
Producers will suffer during Canada’s productivity crisis
Canada’s farmers will suffer if the country’s productivity crisis continues or even worsens. That was the sobering message from Farm Credit Canada’s J.P. Gervais at the Canadian Pulse and Special Crops Convention. Canada’s productivity slump threatens to undermine what should be a golden future for Canadian farmers, especially pulse growers. “I’m super-enthusiastic about the long-term […] Read more
VIDEO: Broker stays old school with corn crop estimates
Apps and satellite services have digitalized the job, but many still prefer to estimate crops up close and personal
LETELLIER, Man. — When it comes to estimating corn crops, Louise Carduner knows there’s an app for that. But she isn’t about to use it. “These are the nicest ears I’ve seen,” Carduner burst out enthusiastically while stripping a fat cob of corn in a field bordering the Red River south of Winnipeg. Carduner was […] Read more
How many workers are labour-poor farms ignoring?
Air Canada: labour issues. Railroads: labour issues. Canada’s economy: labour issues. How about farmers? Yup, labour issues are the number one problem for many farmers and certainly the overwhelming issue for the agriculture industries built upon the crops and livestock that farmers produce. Labour issues are a not-so-subtle subtext lying beneath the troubles of our […] Read more
