Charges have been laid against a Lampman, Sask., farmer after more than 130 cattle were seized from his operation last February. | File photo

Animal welfare charges laid in Sask.

Charges have been laid against a Lampman, Sask., farmer after more than 130 cattle were seized from his operation last February. Chad Mokelky has been charged under Section 4(2) of the province’s Animal Protection Act for causing or permitting an animal to be in distress. He also faces two Criminal Code of Canada counts for […] Read more

The government says exports will be a key pillar of the plan, and a strong agricultural sector is key. | File photo

Sask. throne speech sets out new ag growth plan

The Saskatchewan government will release a new growth plan that includes revised agricultural targets. The speech from the throne, delivered by Lt.-Gov. Russ Mirasty this afternoon, sets the tone for the final legislative session before the next provincial election. It says the 2020s will be a decade of growth, and the growth plan will set […] Read more

Supporters watch the results come in at the Conservative leader Andrew Scheer's campaign headquarters during the federal election in Regina.  |  REUTERS/Carlos Osorio

Get back to work, fix trade, ag leaders tell Liberals

The next steps for Canada’s Liberal minority government are clear as far as Canadian farm leaders are concerned. They want trade relationships to be re-established and agriculture to be a priority. Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Mary Robinson said it’s time to get back to work on issues that matter. “CFA is looking forward to […] Read more


Leader Andrew Scheer announced the platform in Tsawassen, B.C., and while he didn’t address agriculture and rural issues directly he did say the carbon levy would be eliminated. | Twitter/@AndrewScheer photo

Tory platform includes grain act, CGC

A Conservative government would modernize the Canada Grain Act and Canadian Grain Commission, according to a list of promises in the party platform released Oct. 11. Leader Andrew Scheer announced the platform in Tsawassen, B.C., and while he didn’t address agriculture and rural issues directly he did say the carbon levy would be eliminated. He […] Read more

Bridget Lacey, the farmer and mother of two young boys from Turner Valley, is campaigning in Foothills, where she’s up against Conservative incumbent John Barlow.
 | Karen Briere photo

Alta. Green candidate tackles Tory juggernaut

BELLEVUE, Alta. — It’s not easy being a Green Party candidate in Alberta. Bridget Lacey can tell you that firsthand. The farmer and mother of two young boys from Turner Valley is campaigning in Foothills, where she’s up against Conservative incumbent John Barlow. Conservative blue is projected to sweep the province, wiping out four Liberal […] Read more


Liberal MP Ralph Goodale has had a long career in Saskatchewan.  |  File photo

Goodale brand expected to prevail in Sask.

Federal election: He is the only Liberal MP in the province, a scenario that isn’t expected to change in this election

Ralph Goodale is used to being the sole Liberal voice from Saskatchewan in Ottawa. And he’s expected to be the only one again after the Oct. 21 vote. Polls indicate that while most of the province will vote Conservative, including in Conservative leader Andrew Scheer’s Regina-Qu’Appelle riding, Regina-Wascana voters are likely to stick with Goodale. […] Read more

Conservative MP James Bezan takes in a cattle auction while campaigning for re-election in the Manitoba riding of Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman.  |  Karen Briere photo

Manitoba MP at home in farming country

Federal election: Conservative candidate is a former cattle producer who has represented constituency since 2004


ASHERN, Man. — James Bezan is as comfortable at the Ashern Auction Mart as he is in the House of Commons. The incumbent Conservative MP, running in his sixth campaign, is in friendly territory among the cattle producers watching the Wednesday cattle sale. He is one of them, after all. The former cattle producer, manager […] Read more

Justin Trudeau’s Liberals also promise tax changes to ease intergenerational farm transfer, more assistance for exporters, no reintroduction of the long-gun registry, and full support for supply managed farmers and processors.  |  Robert Arnason photo

Liberals plan to change Farm Credit Canada

Party’s election platform includes commitment to turn FCC into a single service point for all parts of the food economy 


The Liberal plan to expand and rename Farm Credit Canada poses more questions than answers. The party platform’s Investing in Rural Success section includes a promise to streamline services and increase investments to help make Canada the second-largest exporter of agricultural products by 2025. “We will merge exiting financial and advisory services currently scattered between […] Read more


CCA unveils wish list for new federal gov’t

Canada’s cattle producers have a wish list for a new federal government. It focuses on economic, environmental and social benefits for the country. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association produced a document for candidates detailing six main recommendations that would help the beef industry grow and continue to be a key economic contributor. The CCA says the […] Read more

The agricultural labour shortage drew the most heated conversation during last week’s election debate, sparked when the Green Party candidate referred to the temporary foreign worker program as slavery.
 | File photo

Farm labour issue fires up ag debate

The agricultural labour shortage drew the most heated conversation during last week’s election debate, sparked when the Green Party candidate referred to the temporary foreign worker program as slavery. Representatives from the three other parties, including the Liberal agriculture minister, Marie-Claude Bibeau, Conservative critic Luc Berthold and NDP critic Alistair MacGregor, took umbrage with Kate […] Read more