User fees at 1992 level | The ag minister also said changes to inward inspection of grain will not undermine food safety
Federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz was on Parliament Hill Nov. 1 defending higher user fees at the Canadian Grain Commission. He insisted at the Senate agriculture committee that the changes are overdue, revenues must be raised after two decades of fee freezes, farmers can afford it and ending un-necessary mandatory services will make the commission […] Read moreNews
Ritz defends grain commission changes, fee hike
Milk trucks weak linkin pipeline
There’s a link between dairies and retail stores that receives little attention from consumers and other players in the milk industry. It’s the truck that collects milk from dairies and takes it to processors. Collection involves traffic, poor winter roads and sometimes adverse conditions on dairy farms. Mike Southwood, general manager of Alberta Milk, reminded […] Read more
Dairy industry says milk price worth the money
Fair compensation | Farm leader says producers quit in countries where prices are too low
The price of milk is frequently criticized as being too high in Canada compared to the United States and other countries, but the chair of Alberta Milk defends it. Hennie Bos, a dairy farmer near Lacombe, Alta., said milk is not expensive considering its value. “I would say, if you look at your total grocery […] Read morePuratone bid could ease supply issues at Maple Leaf plant
A Maple Leaf Foods offer to buy assets of hog producer Puratone Corp. for $42 million is an attempt to ward off potential supply issues at its Brandon slaughter plant. Maple Leaf’s offer includes Puratone’s livestock, facilities and interests in some joint ventures. “This acquisition will ensure a consistent supply of hogs to our processing […] Read more
Alta. college to offer brew master course
Olds College is looking for applicants to its new brew master program, as long as they’re 19. The two-year diploma program has received a steady stream of inquiries from industry and prospective students since the Olds, Alta., college announced the program earlier this year, said program co-ordinator Peter Johnston-Berresford. The school started accepting applications last […] Read more
Producers don’t benefit from quality assurance
Canadian hogs are a healthy bunch. Producers have embraced a number of certification processes to prove the point, and it’s always something the Canadian industry brags about. But is it worth all the extra effort and cost? “We have to ask the question of, ‘If we’re going to introduce new programs and add on to […] Read more
Exporters warn Ottawa of food bill’s problems
In the midst of general industry support and an all-party commitment to support proposed food safety Bill S-11, a senior business voice is warning of damaging unintended consequences. Keith Mussar, vice-president of the Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters in charge of regulatory affairs, told MPs last week the bill would have serious consequences for […] Read more
No extension for safe food bill
The ag committee denied opposition push for more time to review changes
The Conservative majority on the House of Commons agriculture committee has rejected an opposition motion that public hearings on sweeping food safety legislation be extended by a week. The committee has held one public session with agriculture minister Gerry Ritz and Canadian Food Inspection Agency officials and two sessions with invited industry and consumer representatives. […] Read moreHog farmers unlikely to recoup losses
Grain deliveries to Puratone | Dozens of unsecured farmer-creditors may never get money owed
When Puratone entered creditor protection in the middle of September, the hog production company owed millions of dollars to companies and people throughout Manitoba, including $46,000 to Stewart Floyd of Arborg. Floyd, a grain farmer, hasn’t received payment for oat sales and he doesn’t expect to see a dime, even though Maple Leaf Foods bought […] Read more
Farmers will pay more in fees if CGC fare changes proceed
Proposed fee changes at the Canadian Grain Commission will cost the grain industry about an additional $20 million per year by 2018, a cost that will ultimately be borne by farmers, according to industry observers. The grain commission released a new fee schedule Nov. 1, outlining services and proposed fees. Grain growers, farm groups and […] Read more
