For years, Canada pursued and successfully completed a free trade deal with Europe. Now, after decades of complaints about interprovincial barriers, the federal government and provinces have agreed upon a new deal for internal trade. On Friday morning, the governments unveiled what is being called the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA). It replaces the Agreement […] Read more
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Nov canola gains $7.90 on week
Canola futures on Friday closed higher for the fourth time in five days this week, supported by slow farmer selling and stronger soy oil. May canola closed at $489.10 per tonne, up $3.80 on the day while new crop November closed at $484.30 up $3.30. Over the week May canola rose $4.70 per tonne. New […] Read more
Canadian peas holding range ahead of coming production
Winnipeg, April 7 – A policy extension from major pulse buyer, India, brought short-term support to Canada’s dry pea market, but values are hanging in a range. In late March, India extended its fumigation policy requirement for three months, allowing the market some breathing room, though officials are still hoping to come to a long […] Read more
Yum’s KFC to curb antibiotic use in the chickens it buys
By Lisa Baertlein LOS ANGELES, April 6 (Reuters) – Yum Brands Inc.’s U.S. KFC chain plans to curb the use of antibiotics in its chicken supply, making it the last of the big three chicken restaurants to join the fight against the rise of dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria known as superbugs. KFC, the second-biggest U.S. chicken […] Read more
CFIA not releasing glyphosate-food study details
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has been testing samples of food and grain for residues of glyphosate since the spring of 2015. However, when the agency releases its testing results, sometime in the next two months, the report will not contain detailed data on glyphosate residues in food. “The report will not include raw data, […] Read more
Cargill’s GMO segregation plan angers producers
The tweet seemed innocent enough. Cargill was announcing its intention to expand its existing relationship with a verification body to certify that certain food ingredients it uses are not genetically modified. “We work closely with the #NonGMO Project & hope to have even more Cargill ingredients verified in the near future,” said the company. That […] Read more
India extends fumigation exemption
Canada says it can’t fumigate pulse shipments domestically, and the requirement isn’t necessary anyway
India’s three-month renewal of its fumigation waiver provides breathing room but is not the long-term answer Canada is seeking. India announced the renewal one day before the previous extension expired March 31. “It’s an important announcement because we do have Canadian, both bulk and container, shipments that are en route,” said Gordon Bacon, chief executive […] Read more
U.S. playing with NAFTA fire: ag economist
Al Mussell says ag trade through agreement has created 300,000 jobs, some of which could be lost if NAFTA reopened
Reopening the North American Free Trade Agreement could backfire on the United States from an agricultural perspective, says an agricultural economist. “The U.S. should be very careful what it wishes for here,” said Al Mussell, research lead for Agri-Food Economic Systems. Agricultural trade with its NAFTA partners has resulted in US$88 billion in U.S. economic […] Read more
Runoff management needs rethink, say scientists
An on-field drainage system allows early spring runoff and improves root and soil structure, says expert
Manitoba’s soil and water protection heretics say farmers and society can achieve everything they want, but they can only do it with a holistic approach. That means soil conservation and water protection can occur on the same field and make the farmer money, but only if they are managed as a whole. “You really can […] Read more
Nuclear accident still affecting Japanese agriculture
Strict protocols are in place to routinely test and monitor all agricultural products to ensure food safety
FUKUSHIMA PREFECTURE, Japan — Yoshiyuki Shigihara, manager of one of the Seven and I convenience store chain’s outlets in his native city of Iitate, dreamed of starting a greenhouse asparagus farm. Iitake has a similar environment as Kitakata, another city in Fukushima Prefecture famous for its asparagus. Asparagus sold in Japan in the winter comes […] Read more
