Those in the ag sector who hire temporary foreign workers 365 days a year say Ottawa’s new regulations will be costly
UPDATED: May 10, 2024 – 0900 CST – Emailed comments from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) added. WINNIPEG — Producers and primary agriculture companies that employ temporary workers 365 days per year say a federal policy change will require farmers to maintain empty houses. In early May, a representative of the Canadian Mushroom Growers’ […] Read moreNews
Canada bars gates for untested U.S. dairy cattle
Lactating dairy cattle out of the United States must now test negative for bird flu before crossing the Canadian border
As of May 3, no Canadian dairies or beef herds had sickened with the strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza that has spread to nine states—and there’s hope the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s agreement to test lactating dairy cattle before they enter Canada might help keep it that way. Colorado joined the list of states […] Read more
Dairy farm sued over mud slick
Glacier FarmMedia – Keystone Agricultural Producers says it’s closely following a lawsuit filed against a Steinbach-area dairy farm. The lawsuit centres around a local highway mud slick that was believed to have caused a deadly motorcycle accident in 2022. The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation, which filed the suit, says mud was left behind by the […] Read more
Tightening urea supply may see prices increase
The addition of global production capacity is expected to slow down due to companies' reluctance to build new plants
SASKATOON — The global urea market is expected to tighten up in the coming years, according to a leading manufacturer of the product. The peak of new capacity additions has passed and there is significantly lower supply growth from 2024 onward. Related stories: “This clearly indicates a tightening supply-demand balance longer term,” Yara International chief […] Read more
Canola feels there is room for improvement in U.S. SAF tax credit
The industry plans to continue lobbying the U.S. government for better access to the sustainable aviation fuel program
SASKATOON — Canada’s canola industry had a mixed reaction to new sustainable aviation fuel tax credit guidelines coming out of the United States. The good news is that canola-based SAF qualifies for the base blender’s credit of US$1.25 per gallon because it was previously approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an eligible feedstock. […] Read more
Major pulse competitor may face trouble with pea crop
While dry conditions worry Russia's pea growers, the country prepares to become a major threat in global lentil markets
SASKATOON — There are some early-season problems with Russia’s yellow pea crop, according to analysts. “Because of frost and low precipitation in southern regions, conditions are far from brilliant,” Sergey Pluzhnikov, chief executive officer of Russian Pulses Analytics, said in a text message. Related stories: There are also problems in Siberia. Chickpeas and lentils have […] Read more
Bunge-Viterra deal concerns Sask. politicians
The government says it is monitoring the situation as the proposed merger goes through a public assessment process
REGINA — Premier Scott Moe said the Saskatchewan government is closely watching the proposed Bunge-Viterra merger. He told reporters May 2 he and agriculture minister David Marit are waiting to see how the two companies respond to recent reports that say the deal would cost producers hundreds of millions of dollars and reduce competition. The […] Read more
Farmers retain role in G3 thanks to CWB legacy
Feds set up trust for producers when wheat board turned into G3 Canada, but farmers’ share has been steadily shrinking
SASKATOON — Farmers Equity Trust will not be one of the suitors for Bunge’s ownership stake in G3 Canada if the government forces the sale of those shares as part of its review of Bunge’s proposed takeover of Viterra. “The trust has no cash resources to invest that way, and we’re not permitted under the […] Read more
Ag Canada’s climate programs found lacking
A report from the auditor general’s office says initiatives designed to help farmers reduce emissions have shortcomings
REGINA — Agriculture Canada says it will do better after a report from the auditor general’s office criticized its attempts to deal with climate change. The report from the commissioner of the environment and sustainable development said the department has known since 2015 that it had to address greenhouse gas emissions. However, programs to help […] Read more
Rail strike vote concerns producers
Farm groups sounded the alarm after workers at both of Canada’s major railways voted to strike. “A rail strike now is the last thing we need. We’re at a critical point in the seeding season, and any delay in shipping can directly affect our bottom line and cause substantial economic losses across the agricultural sector,” […] Read more
