WINNIPEG — Last year at harvest time, farmers across western Manitoba and parts of eastern Saskatchewan had a similar reaction. When they looked at yield monitors in their combines, they were surprised at figures of 60 to 75 bushels an acre for spring wheat, despite lack of sufficient moisture during the growing season. Other stories […] Read more
News
Ottawa’s approach to ag research called ‘narrow-minded’
WINNIPEG — Agriculture Canada is making life hard for the staff and directors of commodity groups across the country, say group administrators. The groups, which represent farmers who grow wheat, canola, barley and other crops, use check-off dollars from growers and spend that money on research to benefit a particular crop. Other stories in this […] Read more
Emissions focus worries ag sector
WINNIPEG — Forcing every federally supported agricultural research project to involve climate change mitigation threatens farmers’ vital interests, leading agriculture industry stakeholders say. “That lens is always ‘how is this going to help reduce emissions,’” noted CropLife Canada president Pierre Petelle in an interview during a farm meeting this winter. Other stories in this Special […] Read more
New focus called gov’t blind spot
Difficulties have been reported finding matching federal funding for research projects that address significant problems in crop production
OTTAWA — The federal government is like a cyclops with a giant blind spot when it comes to research funding, farm organizations, researchers and the agriculture industry have found. Agronomic crop research is a key way to improve agricultural sustainability and reduce carbon emissions but if such research isn’t related to climate change, the government […] Read more
More clarity urged for ag research requests
WINNIPEG — Concerns about tighter funding parameters in agricultural research should prompt farmers to get their requests together because incoherence is undermining research efforts, says the chair of the Agri-Food Innovation Council. “What do we want to get out of agricultural research?” asked Cam Dahl in an interview. “What are the public goods that are […] Read more
Research dilemma: crops or climate?
WINNIPEG — In November 2021, Canada’s agriculture minister and provincial agriculture ministers made an announcement that, at the time, seemed like just one more in the usual stream of announcements. It wasn’t. Other stories in this Special Report: The leaders were in Guelph, Ont., to finalize negotiations for the next federal-provincial funding partnership to support […] Read more
Bunge-Viterra merger worries competition bureau
UPDATED – April 24, 2024 – 0900 CST – OTTAWA (Reuters) — Canada’s Competition Bureau says it has found major competition concerns around U.S. grains merchant Bunge’s proposed acquisition of Glencore-backed Viterra, throwing an obstacle before a global agriculture merger that is unprecedented in dollar value. The deal would create a company worth $34 billion, […] Read more
Carbon Alliance worries bill could add red tape, cost to farm lending
Private members bill proposes to add climate accountability strings to financial sector
Glacier FarmMedia – A bill under consideration in the Senate could add red tape and extra cost to ag lending, representatives from the Agriculture Carbon Alliance told senators April 18. “Anything that makes capital more expensive right now, what with where interest rates are, where prime is, is a concern for farmers,” said Dave Carey, […] Read more
Renewable diesel facility to run on Alberta canola
Imperial receives 12 per cent tax credit for Strathcona-based agri-processor
Glacier FarmMedia – The Imperial Strathcona Refinery in Alberta is receiving a 12 per cent tax credit for its $720 million under-construction canola-based renewable diesel facility that is said to need millions of tonnes of canola seed per year. The credit comes from the Province of Alberta’s Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit, which offers a 12 […] Read more
NFU not listed as official lobbyist on federal registry
Farm group's absence from registry makes it difficult to know which government officials and departments it talks to and about what
WINNIPEG — In the last year, 41 groups have met with or contacted Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault to talk about agriculture. That number is from the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying, which operates the lobby registry. The registry keeps track of groups that meet with or send letters to federal officials, like ministers, senators […] Read more
