Canada’s grain sector is developing a code of practice to build trust with international customers but a food industry analyst thinks it is little more than a smokescreen. The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops has developed a draft code called the Responsible Grain code. The voluntary code contains a list of 73 practices farmers can […] Read more
News
‘Product of USA’ label new COOL focus
The new U.S. Congress may revisit mandatory country-of-origin labelling for pork and beef, says a representative of the National Farmers Union in the United States. However, the political hurdles of passing such legislation are high. It’s more likely the U.S. government will strengthen its Product of USA label for pork and beef, which could affect […] Read more
Grain B-train struck by train in Sask.
A North Battleford, Sask., farmer escaped injury when his B-train was struck by a Canadian National Railway train November 25. Rocky Omelchenko had just dropped off a load of “so-so” wheat and was about to cross the highway when the accident occurred. “It all happened pretty quick,” said Omelchenko. “I thought I was far enough […] Read more
Signs point to commodity boom
Some analysts think commodity-specific factors and overall global macroeconomic trends will drive prices higher in 2021
Could 2021 see a structural commodity bull market beginning to charge through the post-pandemic world? Goldman Sachs’ chief commodity market analyst thinks so but Morgan Stanley’s strategists don’t agree. And in the wake of the incredible disruptions of 2020, it’s clear that the future path of commodity values is anything but clear. “The short-run outlook […] Read more
Feds make counter proposal on possible BRM changes
Farm groups say they support a counter proposal on business risk management reform that federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau made to the provinces at last week’s ministerial meeting. However, they were also disappointed that no consensus was reached during the Nov. 27 federal-provincial-territorial meeting. Bibeau’s proposal includes increasing the compensation rate offered under the AgriStability […] Read more
Feds deliver on supply management compensation
Canadian producers working in supply-managed sectors received details of federal government plans to compensate them for market access offered in recently signed trade deals. The announcement comes on the heels of producers calling on federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau to follow through on commitments to support supply-managed producers impacted by trade deals. The egg, chicken […] Read more
Alta. hog producers ask for orderly marketing
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 more
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
