Support for single desk said driven by low profitability and higher prices in Quebec resulting from its pricing model
Alberta pork producers last week voted 68 percent in favour of pursuing a single-desk system for selling their pigs. The vote shows the depth of frustration among producers as they continue to lose money on every hog while packers record major profits. The resolution that passed Nov. 26 directed the board to pursue a system […] Read moreNews — page 797
Gene breakthrough called ‘huge’ for wheat
Wheat breeding programs around the world have gained access to a powerful new genomic tool that will allow for the more rapid and accurate development of improved, high-yielding wheat varieties. In a landmark research project led by the University of Saskatchewan, an international team of scientists has successfully sequenced the genomes for 15 individual wheat […] Read more
Senator seeks public support for soil study
Senator Rob Black of Ontario has proposed that the Senate’s agriculture committee lead a comprehensive study on soil health. He is asking Canadians, especially those with an interest in soil, to send an email to the committee or members of the committee before it selects its priorities for the next session of Parliament. The letter […] Read more
Alberta plans to make trucker licences less expensive
Farm groups say more Class 1 commercial drivers would help the agricultural sector compete with other sectors when it comes to hiring
Farm groups are praising an Alberta government initiative announced Nov. 26 that makes it less expensive to obtain a Class 1 commercial truck driver’s licence. A $3 million grant program called Driving Back to Work will see the government cover up to 90 percent of the cost to obtain Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) for […] Read more
BASF completes renovation of Sask. facility
Company says upgrades made to its Regina plant represent its single biggest investment in Canada in the last 10 years
A two-year $14 million project to upgrade the Regina BASF production plant is complete. The company recently announced that the crop protection production facility has been modernized throughout, including upgrading the mechanical and operation systems, the tank farm and formulation, lab and packaging areas. The Regina location produces eight brands and has added Basagran and […] Read more
Federal support of food sector questioned
Industry representatives and opposition MPs tell ag committee that $77.5 million to help cope with COVID is not enough
The House of Commons agriculture committee began its study into Canada’s processing capacity on Nov. 19. During the meeting, Conservative agriculture critic Lianne Rood joined her opposition colleagues in questioning the federal government’s decision to offer the sector $77.5 million in support when some industry estimates suggest roughly $800 million is needed. First announced in […] Read more
Farmed mink called COVID-19 mutation risk
Farmed mink raised in Canada could become infected with the COVID-19 virus, says a University of Saskatchewan expert in veterinary microbiology. That’s not a huge problem, if the virus stays within the mink population. But if the virus moves from mink and back to humans, it could become a massive problem. “What we’re really concerned […] Read more
Crop variety development process called balancing act
Farmer input is encouraged as seed variety development regulations are updated to recognize the needs of both producers and the market
A steady stream of better crop varieties designed for Canadian farmers is essential for success in world markets, requiring a careful balancing act as the country updates its seed regulations. “One of the things that many people are stressing is that any decisions need to be science based and not politically or socially driven,” Erin […] Read more
Irresponsible ‘tough talk’ with China useless: Champagne
OTTAWA (Reuters) — Canada will keep pressing China to improve its human rights record but has no interest in irresponsible tough talk, says foreign minister Francois-Philippe Champagne. Bilateral ties between the two nations effectively froze in December 2018 when Canadian police picked up a senior Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. executive on a U.S. arrest warrant. […] Read more
FCC sees growth opportunity for processed food exports
Some of Canada’s biggest agricultural commodity exports have lots of room to grow — as processed food products, Farm Credit Canada says. Processed food products are an area where Canadian exports lag compared to bulk raw commodity exports, but there are areas in which there is good and growing demand for what Canada produces. “Canada […] Read more
