When agriculture minister Chuck Strahl faces Parliament again Sept. 18, he will hear some criticism of his $550 million Options program for low-income farm families, and not all of it will come from the opposition. Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Conservative MP Larry Miller says the program has not been getting good reviews from Ontario farmers and has […] Read more
News
Low income program bugs farmers, say MPs
Anthrax discovered in more Sask. bison
New anthrax incidents in cattle have almost disappeared, but a bison herd near Wynyard, Sask., fell prey to the bacteria last week. Neither Manitoba nor Alberta had new cases of the disease last week. On a bison farm near Wynyard, 30 head died from anthrax in a herd that is estimated to be several hundred. […] Read more
Europe’s oat crop smaller than usual
The Scandinavian oat crop will be small this year, so it is unlikely any will be shipped to North America. That’s good news for Canadian growers. “There’s going to be more demand in Europe for oats,” said oat market analyst Randy Strychar, outlining the factors that will probably keep the American horse feed oats market […] Read more
Cash advance problems will be considered
Farmers unable to pay off their 2005-06 cash advance by delivering grain before the Sept. 15 default date will receive a sympathetic hearing, says a senior Canadian Wheat Board official. However, Garry Pichlyk added he doesn’t expect more than a handful of farmers to be in that situation when the deadline passes. “We would work […] Read more
Staff changes affect three farm lobby organizations
It is an autumn of upheaval in Ottawa’s agricultural lobby establishment as key executives in three of the most influential organizations move on. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture is looking for a new executive director to replace Brigid Rivoire, who is leaving for the Canadian Child Care Federation after more than five years as the […] Read more
Food sector lacks vision: think-tank
Canada’s food processing sector is being stifled by labour shortages, a lack of investment and policies that discourage innovation, says a document from an Ontario think-tank. The document, prepared by the George Morris Centre in Guelph, Ont., said other problems include chronically low incomes for farmers, lagging productivity in the food manufacturing sector and managers […] Read more
Marketing rules limit innovation, says report
Canadian officials should recognize that existing regulations limiting farmer marketing options undermine the ability of the food sector to evolve, says a draft policy prepared by the Guelph-based George Morris Centre. It says the existing Canadian Wheat Board monopoly is part of the problem. It also supports proposals at World Trade Organization talks to sharply […] Read more
Food industry sector profits, but investments stagnate
A leading Ottawa-based industry research and analysis think-tank predicts food manufacturers will make $1.8 billion in profits this year, and increases of 33 percent over the next four years. The Conference Board of Canada says the food manufacturing sector remains stalled because of stagnant domestic market growth and a more valuable Canadian dollar that makes […] Read more
King of wheat losing crown
After spending the better part of a decade as the undisputed king of red spring wheats, AC Barrie is facing a slew of new pretenders to the throne. And that could signal the beginning of a new era of varietal choice for wheat growers. The venerable variety accounted for 18.8 percent of Canada Western red […] Read more
Coming Events
Aug. 30-Sept. 3: Interior Provincial Exhibition and Stampede, Armstrong, B.C., 250-546-9406 Aug. 31: Weed Control with Livestock, DeLaTerre Farms, Athabasca, Alta. (Mike Hittenger or Vicky Spenst, 780-939-8374) Sept. 2-3: Horse show 50th anniversary, Agriplex, Okotoks Ag Grounds, Okotoks, Alta. (Joan Weder, 403-933-7422 or Ag Society, 403-938-3256) Dylan Biggs Stockmanship Clinics, low-stress handling taught in four […] Read more
