Pulse producers can claim checkoff for tax credit
Forty-five percent of the Saskatchewan pulse checkoff qualifies for the federal Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax credit for the 2011 tax year.
The tax credit is based on the amount of check-off funds spent on research and development that meet specific criteria as set out by Canada Revenue Agency.
Producers can calculate their total check-off contribution by referring to their pulse sales receipts, which shows the check-off allocation. Of this total, 45 percent is eligible to earn an investment tax credit.
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This resulting check-off amount is eligible to earn an investment tax credit up to a maximum of 20 percent for individuals and up to a maximum of 35 percent for corporate producers that are Canadian controlled private corporations.
To claim the federal tax credit on their tax returns, producers must file a T2038 (IND) for farm proprietorships and a T2SCH31 for farm corporations.
Corporations are also eligible for the 15 percent Saskatchewan research and development tax credit for research performed in the province using Schedule 403 to claim the credit on their tax returns.
All check-off investment tax credits applied against taxes payable or refunded must be reported by the producer as income in the subsequent year.
For more information, visit www.cra-arc.gc.ca/txcrdt/sred-rsde/menu-eng.html.
Revised pig code of practice expected by mid-2013
The National Farm Animal Care Council’s pig code development committee expects a new code of practice for the care and handling of pigs to be ready for publication by mid-2013.
The Pig Code of Practice was last updated in 1993.
The development committee comprises pork producers, practicing veterinarians, swine researchers and representatives of government and animal welfare organizations. It has been working on revising the code for slightly more than a year.
The first draft of the new code is expected to be ready this summer and the final draft ready for publication by June or July of next year.
Committee chair Florian Possberg said the code will cover all aspects of pig care.
Spring workshop planned on alternative agriculture
The spring Down to Earth workshop will be held at Lake Saskatoon Hall west of Grande Prairie, Alta., March 24.
It will include sessions on local food, small farm and urban agriculture, 100-mile diet cooking classes, marketing agriculture products, animal husbandry and starting heirloom tomato seed.
Cost of the all-day workshop is $110, which includes attendance in any four classes.
Single class prices are also available at $30 for a classroom setting session and $35 for a kitchen setting session.
For more information, contact Wendy at 780-228-3748 or Wendy@HeritageFarm.ca or Ainsley at 780-505-2701 or Ainsley@FreshFeastConnections.ca.
Video targets genetically modified alfalfa
A three minute animated YouTube video takes aim at genetically modified alfalfa, claiming the crop threatens the future of family farms.
The Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN), with the support of organic groups and businesses, launched the video.
The CBAN is asking people to write to the agriculture minister and demand that he stop the introduction of GM alfalfa.
It is not yet legal to sell the seeds in Canada, although Canadian regulators approved GM alfalfa as safe in 2005.
The film can be viewed at www.cban.ca/alfalfa.
