Most of Canada’s agriculture ministers met in Ottawa May 10 for their last meeting before they are expected to sign the next five-year agricultural policy agreement. According to a communiqué issued after the meeting, they reaffirmed their commitment to the framework as outlined in the Calgary Statement issued after last year’s annual meeting. They will […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Trudeau talks carbon while touring Saskatchewan farm
GRAY, Sask. — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau eagerly climbed into the sprayer and combine and got down to the ground to examine an air drill during his visit to a Saskatchewan grain farm last week. Rural Saskatchewan didn’t vote for him, but those on hand to witness his enthusiasm and many questions about the technology […] Read more
Sask. dugout study to examine carbon holding capabilities
Researcher seeks Saskatchewan volunteers to help determine if dugouts are a viable way of storing carbon and can be used as an offset tool
A University of Regina researcher is looking for 100 Saskatchewan dugouts to sample to find out how they could be used for carbon-neutral farming. Kerri Finlay, assistant professor in the biology department, said previous research suggests that dugouts could bury large amounts of carbon and produce minimal greenhouse gases. “Absolutely nobody is looking at dugouts […] Read moreFarmers stay on top of debt
Farm debt continues to climb, but federal officials say assets are climbing much faster. Tom Rosser, assistant deputy minister with Agriculture Canada’s strategic policy branch, told the House of Commons agriculture committee last month that average debt in 2015 was $600,000, but average farm assets were $3.4 million for an average net worth of $2.8 […] Read more
Dairy producers respond to Trump’s attack on industry
Canadian dairy farmers say they won’t be cowed by criticism from other countries — or other Canadians — about their supply managed system. However, they are getting weary of being under attack. “It would be nice to not be the centre of attention,” said Dairy Farmers of Manitoba chair David Wiens. The system set up […] Read more
Trudeau talks with Sask. farm leaders, not backing down on carbon tax
GRAY, Sask. — Prime minister Justin Trudeau says he understands the concerns Saskatchewan farmers have about carbon tax but he isn’t backing down from imposing one. Speaking to more than 100 people packed into the Gray Recreation Centre April 27, he said he appreciates how technology and innovation have helped farmers become more efficient and […] Read more
Calving ease found in Longhorn
Breeder looking for low birth weight calves found success in crossing Herefords with polled Texas Longhorns
A close look at the cattle on Alfred Sattler’s farm reveals something just a little different. They’re red and they’re polled, but their heads and fronts are narrower and their frames smaller than other breeds. For Sattler and his wife, Vicky, these cattle represent 15 years of work to produce a small herd of polled […] Read moreFarmers may see CGC fee changes by August
Proposed Canada Grain Act regulatory amendments would see two Canadian Grain Commission user fees eliminated and two others reduced by Aug. 1, about seven months ahead of schedule. The measures would save industry millions and limit the accumulation of surplus funds. Consultation had been underway since March 1 on proposed changes to the fees as […] Read more
Carbon tax not revenue neutral, says analysis
Ottawa could earn up to $280 million over the next two years from the provincial carbon taxes in Alberta and British Columbia, says a report released last week. It means the federal government’s claim that a mandated carbon tax would be revenue neutral is false, said B.C. Conservative MP Mark Warawa, who requested the analysis. […] Read more
Canadian pulse officials hope for extension in India fumigation dispute
Canada has two important things going for it when it comes to resolving the pulse import issue with India, say federal officials. The pest that most concerns India isn’t found in Canada, they said, which negates the need for fumigation. And, Canada’s systems approach to grain handling and storage mitigates the risks that pests would […] Read more
