Canada’s contribution to fighting world hunger has fallen off sharply during the past decade and should be replenished, say international development activists. A coalition of activists used parliamentary hearings to mark World Food Day Oct. 16 to complain about Canada’s declining interest in world food issues. “Agricultural production has risen steadily. Canada is seen as […] Read more
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Canadian aid continues to fall>
Taxman eyes Alta. farm businesses
Many Alberta farm-based businesses will be taxed at higher commercial rates when the provincial definition of a farming operation changes at the end of the year. Under proposed definitions, when a farm commodity is applied a grade standard, like pedigreed seed or packaged carrots, it will no longer be treated as a farming operation. The […] Read more
Payment options attract a minority of producers
Only about one percent of Canadian Wheat Board permit book holders opted out of the 2001-02 pool accounts by taking out a fixed price or basis contract. But judging by the board’s latest pool return outlook, those who locked in a price at the right time last spring are probably glad they did. “From what […] Read more
Agribition’s new GM former bison official
A former Saskatchewan broadcaster has been named general manager of Canadian Western Agribition. Leon Brin, executive director of the Saskatchewan Bison Association, assumes the position Jan. 1. Agribition president Gary Anderson said Brin’s background and agricultural knowledge would serve the organization well. Brin has worked in radio and television. He was general manager at CKCK-TV […] Read more
Special Report – Farmers slow to plan transition (story 1)
More than 120,000 Canadian farmers will turn 65 in the next decade, forcing some of the $50 billion in farm assets to change hands, according to a study by the George Morris Centre and the Royal Bank. Yet only two to four percent of farmers have a written farm succession plan. With 70 percent of […] Read more
Flax growers reject GM proposal
Imagine the hullabaloo if the genetically modified canola that has cropped up in conventional fields in recent years was a variety designed to make plastics or pharmaceuticals. That’s a scenario one GM expert is trying to prevent. University of Saskatchewan professor Alan McHughen wants research into GM crops that produce high-value industrial products shifted from […] Read more
Agriculture top priority in WTO talks: Pettigrew
The federal government is making agriculture a “top priority” in the next round of World Trade Organization negotiations expected to start next week, trade minister Pierre Pettigrew said. He told the House of Commons foreign affairs committee Oct. 24 that he expects WTO members to agree to launch a broad new round of negotiations when […] Read more
Alberta tax changes generate questions
When the councillors in the Municipal District of Willow Creek were asked to take a final look at the new definition of a farming operation, the normally agreeable group couldn’t come to a consensus. “Our council is split,” said Earl Hemmaway, deputy reeve of the southern Alberta municipality. While some councillors believe there are businesses […] Read more
Falseflax may hold key
There might be a compromise for those who want genetically modified flax and those who don’t. Agriculture Canada scientist Richard Gugel says Camelina sativa, also known as falseflax, could make a good delivery vehicle for researchers trying to produce compounds such as pharmaceuticals and plastics in oilseeds. “It seems to have a lot going for […] Read more
Ottawa Notebook
The promised House of Commons agriculture committee public hearings in Western Canada this fall are in doubt. The committee, which promised western farm leaders and agriculture ministers last spring that it would travel west this fall after harvest, submitted a proposal for a cross-Canada trip that would cost more than $300,000. Tentative plans call for […] Read more
