Cornell University economist says the deal signals that Canadians should prepare for life after supply management
DRESDEN, Ont. — The proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal is receiving mixed reviews in the United States. The National Milk Producers Federation, which represents more than 30 dairy producer co-operatives, sees opportunity in the deal. The organization feels there may be opportunities to export more U.S. milk and milk products to Canada and Japan. “New […] Read moreNews
U.S. mixed on dairy trade access under TPP
Monsanto plans R&D closures next year
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — Monsanto plans to close three research and development centres next year with a loss of 90 jobs. The move comes as the company restructures operations to cut costs in a slumping agricultural commodity market. The centres in Middleton, Wisconsin, and Mystic, Connecticut, focus on seed trait development research, while the one […] Read more
U.S. ag groups oppose proposed insurance cap
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — American agriculture groups closed ranks to prevent a proposed federal budget deal from cutting crop insurance programs that were crafted as part of a farm bill enacted in 2014 following years of contentious debate. The budget bill seeks to cap the rate of return for insurance providers at 8.9 percent from […] Read more
VIDEO: Workplace safety in the spotlight
This is part of a series exploring how farmers, ag consultants and service providers are professionalizing agriculture by integrating the many skills required by today’s complex and challenging industry. This week: The importance of farm safety training to keep employees safe, and the farms viable.
This series looks at how farmers, agriculture consultants and service providers are professionalizing agriculture by integrating the many skills required by today’s complex and challenging industry. You can follow the entire series here. Young farmers expect to learn a lot about soil science, plant science, farm management and animal production when they attend university to […] Read moreWheat growers changes leadership
Robin Speer is the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association’s new executive director. “We’re pleased to have Robin on board, taking on this important new role at an exciting time for prairie wheat growers,” president Levi Wood, said in a news release. Speer, originally from North Battleford, Sask., brings diverse experience in agriculture, including having previously […] Read more
Ont. farmers cope with neonic rules
Ontario farmers are dealing with an additional task this fall on top of the usual harvest crunch: placing traps in their fields to assess soil pests. An Ontario judge decided last month that provincial regulations restricting the use of neonicotinoid seed treatments would remain in place. Consequently, Ontario producers are digging holes in their fields […] Read more
Hunger gnaws at Canada’s north as Liberals vow relief
FORT SIMPSON, N.W.T. (Thomson Reuters Foundation) — Shipping food to this remote village is never easy, but when the river linking it to the rest of Canada’s sprawling Northwest Territories starts freezing in November, groceries must be airlifted in by helicopter. Logistical challenges like this push food prices to unaffordable levels for many local residents […] Read more
California may add meat to cancer alert list
(Reuters) — California is examining new World Health Organization findings to determine whether to add red meat and foods like hot dogs, sausages and bacon to a cancer-alert list, setting the stage for a potential battle with the meat industry over warning labels. The inclusion of meat and processed meat on the list could reduce […] Read more
Saskatchewan does right by farmers: survey
Saskatchewan farmers think their provincial agriculture department is doing something right. Manitoba’s producers think their department is doing something wrong. That’s the main conclusion of a compilation of three surveys the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has conducted in the past couple of years with farmer and agribusiness members. “In Saskatchewan, the government is much […] Read more
CN posts record profits despite lower traffic
Canada’s largest railway company announced record third quarter profits last week despite lower freight volumes. Canadian National Railway reported net profits of $1 billion in the three month period ending Sept. 30, up 18 percent from the same period in 2014. Third quarter revenues were $3.22 billion compared to $3.12 billion in the third quarter […] Read more
