Amendments to federal legislation that would exempt fuel used to dry grain and heat barns return to ag committee
Carbon price exemptions, rather than rebates, would help farmers invest in more energy-efficient and sustainable practices, witnesses told the standing committee on agriculture. The committee has resumed its study of Bill C-234, which would amend federal legislation to exempt propane and natural gas from carbon pricing if used to dry grain or heat barns and […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Soil research should include economics, says scientist
Once considered soil safe, tools like highspeed seeders and vertical till need second look for sustainability
The best efforts of Canadian farmers to conserve soil haven’t necessarily improved its quality, said a University of Manitoba soil scientist. David Lobb, speaking to the senate committee on agriculture and forestry’s soil study, said not much has changed since the Senate’s Soil at Risk report in 1984. He also addressed this topic during a […] Read more
Sask. backs down on taxing boat used to harvest wild rice
The Saskatchewan government has cancelled a tax bill levied on a wild rice grower’s harvesting equipment after the case went public. Frank Su had appealed an assessment of provincial sales tax on his airboat, which he uses to harvest wild rice in the north. He said his airboat, worth about $25,000, performs the same function […] Read more
Health strategy developed
Animal Health Canada has released a new strategic plan to guide it through to 2025. Known as the National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council until last January, AHC implemented a review of its plan and governance as part of the transition. In late September, the organization announced the plan had been updated as the […] Read more
Roundtable eyes improvements
The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef has launched online public consultations on proposed changes to its sustainability standards. This follows consultation with stakeholders, as the CRSB ends its first five years of operation. Kristine Tapley, chair of the CRSB’s certified sustainable beef framework committee, said every indicator in the standards for both beef production and […] Read more
Rising interest rates may affect farmland prices
Farm Credit Canada expects cautious demand for land as interest rates climb higher, depending on producers’ income
Higher interest rates have so far not affected Canadian farmland values, according to a report from Farm Credit Canada. But chief economist J.P. Gervais said the next six months will tell the tale, because many of the land transactions in the report occurred before the significant hikes. The mid-year report found values continued to go […] Read more
The case against rest stops for calves
Three studies have now concluded that a rest stop during long transport does not benefit weaned calves. However, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says it does not plan changes to its regulations that require an eight-hour rest stop, during which cattle are to be unloaded, fed, watered and rested, and then re-loaded, after 36 hours […] Read more
Ukrainian refugees find peace in small town Sask.
The communities of Lemberg and Neudorf welcome several families fleeing the dangers created by the Russian invasion
LEMBERG, Sask. — Vitalii easily swings the large combine around as it gobbles up short swaths of crop between a slough and the road. He watches the monitors and listens to the messages coming through from the two other combines on the field, even though his English isn’t great. He’s been in Lemberg, Sask., less […] Read more
Touring the past – photo essay
Members of the Canadian Farm Writers Federation met in Regina late last month for their annual convention. The conference included a tour of the Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site near Abernethy, Sask. William Richard Motherwell was Saskatchewan’s first agriculture minister and a federal agriculture minister under Prime Minister Mackenzie King. The historic site provides visitors […] Read more
Poilievre names shadow cabinet
Alberta Conservative MP John Barlow will continue as the shadow minister for agriculture under the leadership of Pierre Poilievre. Poilievre announced his new critics Oct. 12. Barlow had endorsed Poilievre during the leadership campaign and had been the critic under previous leaders as well. Associate shadow ministers of agriculture are Warren Steinley, who represents Regina-Lewvan, […] Read more
