Federal agriculture minister refuses to guarantee that renegotiated deal won’t grant more access to dairy market
Dairy farmers sought assurances there would be no more access to Canada’s dairy market in the North American Free Trade Agreement, but federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay would not provide them. “Because of the NAFTA negotiations going on, we have to be careful what we say publicly,” MacAulay said at the Dairy Farmers of Canada’s […] Read moreNews
Dairy farmers receive no assurances on NAFTA
Farmers to lose transparency with end of COPA’s weekly report
The Canadian Oilseed Processors Association to stop publishing weekly crushing report; Statistics Canada data not as timely
WINNIPEG (CNS) — When the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association announced Feb. 2 that it would no longer publish its weekly report on member crushings, the Canadian grains industry was shocked. “I loved that report. In Western Canada, or Canada in general, I think any reports that give you kind of a weekly snapshot of what’s […] Read moreNew Nutrien optimistic about fertilizer prices
The world’s largest fertilizer manufacturer and retailer is bullish on prices for 2018. Nutrien Ltd., which was formed by the merger of PotashCorp and Agrium Inc., said fertilizer markets have turned a corner after years of struggling with oversupply. “The fundamentals for our business have improved, in particular the outlook for potash and nitrogen markets,” […] Read more
Proposed elevator ruffling feathers
Some residents of a central Alberta community hope concerns over noise and dust are enough to prompt builders of a proposed grain elevator to relocate the project. The GrainsConnect terminal, which will have a storage capacity of 35,000 tonnes, is slated to be built just outside Huxley, Alta. It is expected to feature a rail […] Read more
New newsletters to help farmers make market decisions
Glacier FarmMedia, the parent company of The Western Producer, is launching a new suite of electronic information products for Canadian farmers. Glacier MarketsFarm comprises several news products that will be distributed daily or weekly via email. The MarketsFarm package includes daily updates on commodity markets, weekly market summaries, podcasts and details on breaking agricultural news […] Read more
Feds set out tax deferral rules
Livestock producers affected by drought, flood or excess moisture conditions in 2017 may be eligible for 2017 tax relief. Agriculture Canada on Feb. 6 released the final list of regions designated under the Livestock Tax Deferral Provision, adding regions in British Columbia and Saskatchewan. The initial list, posted Nov. 6, 2017, also listed regions in […] Read more
Alberta ag minister talks trade in India
Alberta Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier is heading to India to discuss looming trade and fumigation issues with that country. While he said changing India’s mind immediately might be tough to do, he’s confident the province and the federal government can make some progress. “I have no doubt India realizes the importance of the Canadian pulse […] Read more
Ag Notes
Canola producers select new board Renn Breitkreuz from Onoway is the new chair and John Guelly of Westlock is vice-chair of the Alberta Canola Producers Commission. Andre Harpe of Valhalla Centre replaced Greg Sears in Region 2, and Ian Chitwood of Airdrie replaced Steve Marshman in Region 8. More information is available at albertacanola.com. 4-H […] Read more
U.S. ethanol advocates irked over proposed biofuel reform
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Reuters) — The head of the United States Environmental Protection Agency said Feb. 1 that the recent bankruptcy of a Pennsylvania oil refiner was evidence the nation’s biofuel policy needs an overhaul. The comments infuriated biofuels advocates. Philadelphia Energy Solutions, the largest oil refiner on the East Coast, filed for bankruptcy last month. […] Read more
Trudeau talks tough on NAFTA
NANAIMO, B.C. (Reuters) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a tough line on the North American Free Trade Agreement on Feb. 2, repeating that he could walk away if he was not happy with talks to change the pact. “The negotiations are complex and challenging … I’ve said many times, we are not going […] Read more
