Saskatchewan needs an infrastructure renewal program for rural areas, says the province’s opposition leader Dwain Lingenfelter. Heading into the last legislative sitting before the Nov. 7 election, the Saskatchewan New Democrat leader said last week he will raise that and other rural issues during the three-month session. Many smaller centres can’t afford to undertake the […] Read more
Daily news
Rural infrastructure renewal program needed: Lingenfelter
International Federation of Agricultural Producers collapses
After more than six decades as an international voice of farmer interests, the Paris-based International Federation of Agricultural Producers has collapsed. Canadian farm representatives with strong ties to IFAP say the organization was a victim of dysfunctional leadership and financial problems. “They had some accountability and governance issues,” says Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) president […] Read more
Spending estimate shows more than $400 million Ag Canada budget cut
Ottawa is promising to spend $10 billion less in its next budget and at least on paper, Agriculture Canada is chipping in more than $400 million to the cause. Spending estimates for the 2011-12 fiscal year beginning April 1 were tabled in Parliament March 1 by Treasury Board president Stockwell Day. The Agriculture Canada budget […] Read more
Rail transportation the talk of the grain industry
With just a few weeks to go before the federal government releases its rail freight review panel report, rail transportation is again the talk of the grain industry. Several groups recently made headlines by making public their two cents’ worth when it comes to moving grain to market by rail. Viterra, Canada’s biggest grain handler, […] Read more
Funds, concern about Brazilian rains, lift canola
Canola, soybeans and corn rose Tuesday, but wheat was mostly down slightly. Canola was supported by light fund buying and stronger soybean prices. The canola market continues to be pushed and pulled by the uncertainty of spring weather. Under ideal conditions, analysts believe Canadian farmers would plant close to 20 million acres to the oilseed, […] Read more
Durum, malting barley lead new crop PROs
The Canadian Wheat Board’s first Pool Return Outlook for the 2011-12 crop year forecasts stronger wheat and feed barley and much stronger durum and designated barley prices. The board says the market is exceptionally volatile and much can change before harvest. It forecast a modest seven percent increase in world wheat production, and sees reduced […] Read more
Oilseeds weaken on improving S. American crops
Oilseeds prices fell on Monday, but corn and wheat rose. Soybeans dropped on an upbeat outlook for South American soy production. The weakness spilled over to canola, which was also pressured by a much stronger Canadian dollar. Bunge forecast Canadian farmers will seed a record 19.5 million acres to canola this spring if the weather […] Read more
Manitoba community college plans horticultural research – for Feb. 28, 2011
Saskatoon bushes, strawberry plants and grape vines will greet visitors to the Assiniboine Community College campus in Brandon this summer. The college is establishing a fruit crop orchard that will be part of the new applied research program in horticultural production. “ACC has stepped up to train the next generation of horticultural workers,” Manitoba agriculture […] Read more
Sask. announces road, bridge funding
Saskatchewan rural municipalities learned today that they will receive $23.5 million for road and bridge projects this year. Provincial highways minister Jim Reiter announced the expenditure ahead of the March 23 provincial budget so that municipalities can begin planning. The funding, through the Municipal Roads for the Economy Program, is focused on primary weight truck […] Read more
Strong grain price rally lessens the week’s losses
Grain markets rallied sharply Friday, reducing the week’s losses, as traders focused on strong U.S. exports and crude oil’s support for vegetable oil prices. Nonetheless, it was a bad week for crop markets as worries grew over the violent revolution in Libya and the effect of $100 per barrel oil on world economic recovery. March […] Read more
