Will the plant protein craze propel farmers into a better-balanced production system and safer markets? There are lots of reason to hope for that as many food industry experts say they see the present surge of interest in non-meat protein as a developing trend rather than a short-term food fad. If demand for pulse and […] Read more
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Canaryseed stocks annually unpredictable
MONTREAL — If anybody wants to enjoy a mystery in the western Canadian grain business, look no further than canaryseed stocks. No one ever really knows how much is out there. “The actual supply is a perpetual mystery,” said Neil Townsend of Farmlink Marketing in a market outlook presentation during the Pulse and Special Crops […] Read more
Pulse sector optimistic about India
Access to the Asian giant’s market is still restricted, but exporters say they are starting to notice a softening in tone
MONTREAL — The Canadian pulse industry is feeling better about the situation with India. Not much of substance has changed, but the tone has improved, pulse players were saying during the Pulse and Special Crops Convention held Aug. 21-22. “They’ve opened the door to us,” Cindy Brown, president of the Global Pulse Confederation, said in […] Read more
Crop development variability causes harvest challenges
MONTREAL — Many western Canadian crops look great. But many are late and some have a wide range of maturities, as this summer’s mixed bag of weather conditions delayed and mixed up crop development. “Most people (in my area) are saying the crops are at least a nine out of 10,” said Allison Ammeter, a […] Read more
Plant-based protein not a fad, say analysts
Food that mimics the taste and texture of meat has exploded in popularity in grocery stores and fast-food chains
MONTREAL — The stunning growth in the plant-based protein market isn’t ending any time soon. That was the message of two food industry experts who told the Pulse and Special Crops Convention that pulses are experiencing a food phenomenon that is reaching throughout the developed world. “Why not plant-based?” said Samara Foisy, director of product […] Read more
Trade disputes called threat to global economy
MONTREAL — Hearing all the grim talk about slowing global growth and seeing alarming signs from the bond market, it’s understandable that many believe the world is fated to fall into recession soon, acknowledges the chief economist of National Bank of Canada. But unless some wild cards get played, the actual chances of a nearby recession […] Read more
Pulse sector mood mixes hope with gloom
Access to global markets remains restricted for many crops, but the development of a larger domestic market looms
MONTREAL — At the end of the storm there’s a golden sky, a reward, say many in the pulse and special crops industries, but it is taking longer to reach than they hoped. “We’re so close to having a domestic production side. That’s going to help us all,” said St. Paul, Alta., farmer Don Shepert, […] Read more
Manitoba farm family ‘slows down’
The Friesens’ idea of taking it easy is to manage chicken and hog barns, breed dogs and be heavily involved in sports
LANDMARK, Man. — Janet and Jeff Friesen have decided to take it a little easier these days. “We slowed down, moved some things around,” said Jeff about the couple’s decision to sell their motorbike shop and two farming operations. “We were doing four farms and raising a family and racing motorbikes.” Today, on their green […] Read moreCanadian dependence on American market will continue
Canadian farmers’ crippling reliance on the U.S. market is likely to get worse, not better, no matter how current trade disputes work themselves out. That’s how I mentally summed up the viewpoint of National Bank of Canada geopolitics specialist Angelo Katsoras, who spoke to the Canadian Special Crops Association’s annual meeting Aug. 21. The globalized […] Read more
Protein trade urged to resist overdependence on U.S.
Canada needs to focus on developing its competitive edge with agricultural exports to Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. If Canada reverts to a United States focus with its plant protein developments, it will be ignoring the gains made in recent trade deals, worries the Canada West Foundation’s trade expert. “The reality is that we have […] Read more
