Farmers who have sold grain to Canpulse Foods or Global Grain Canada Ltd. and haven’t been paid should contact the Canadian Grain Commission. On Oct. 31 the CGC suspended the licences of three inter-related companies, which buy pulse and special crops from prairie farmers. “We’re asking producers to contact us immediately, if they have not […] Read more
News
Better agri-food benchmarking urged
Experts are calling for environmental targets to better position Canada in markets at home and abroad. Agri-Food Sustainability Targets is a report authored by David McInnes, who is working with Agriculture Canada, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and others to advance efforts in creating environmental benchmarks for the industry. “What’s happening globally and nationally is […] Read more
Ag technology seen as key to economic recovery
Experts speaking at the virtual Toronto Global Forum say a meaningful economic recovery to the COVID-19 pandemic should emphasize the need for technology in the agricultural sector. Alison Sunstrum, founder of CNSRV-X, said she hopes there is a digital response to the pandemic. “COVID-19 has put us on a digital fast track, farmers are going […] Read more
Bibeau optimistic about ag exports
Minister of Agriculture Marie Claude Bibeau says Canadian agriculture will be the “powerhouse of the economy” as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, pointing to specific opportunities for the industry to grow. During a virtual “fireside chat” at the International Economic Forum of the America’s Toronto event on Oct. 27, Bibeau expressed optimism over […] Read more
Pulse exports hit snag
Containerized shipments of agricultural commodities to Asia are “grinding to a halt,” according to a transloader. “In 20 years I’ve never seen anything like this,” said a freight forwarder in the pulse industry who requested anonymity due to commercial concerns. German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd announced last week that it was temporarily suspending overseas ag container […] Read more
Alta. ag layoffs called ‘a pretty significant change’
There was plenty of warning but that didn’t ease the shock for about 135 Alberta Agriculture employees who got notice last week of pending job loss. The recent cuts were phase one of a two-phase “workforce transformation” that will see the provincial government eliminate 247 union positions in agriculture and forestry, with the second phase […] Read more
Man. grain dryer approvals improve
Farmers can save themselves a lot of grief by planning and communicating better, say people involved with approving grain dryers in Manitoba. Failing to plan and co-ordinate well can lead to delays, frustrations and costs. “If you’re planning, start early,” said Brian Rempel of Manitoba Hydro, which has to approve and often construct the energy […] Read more
Rural Alberta ponders taxation without oil
Municipalities that have relied on tax revenue from the energy sector come to grips with the province’s grim new reality
Alberta’s rural municipalities are contemplating a future where it could become more difficult to find money for services such as roads. “Will things be the same as they were in the past?” said Al Kemmere, president of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA), as he pondered a major source of his members’ tax revenue. “No, […] Read more
Farmers’ rights at elevators collide with COVID-19 rules
Grain elevator operators say they are seeking ways to ensure weigh-scale readouts are provided when grain is delivered
A farmer protection has been lost at some grain elevators — ones that don’t have weigh-scale readouts in the truck unloading zone. It’s not a deliberate act by grain companies but a product of COVID-19 restrictions, which require non-elevator people to stay outside the elevator office. Manitoba’s main farm lobby group insists that weigh-scale readings […] Read more
Union decries agriculture cuts
Layoffs will occur across the agriculture department, from 4-H to farm safety and research to irrigation
Rural residents and farmers affected by losses in agricultural services due to Alberta government job cuts are being sacrificed to the belief you can cut your way to prosperity, says a union leader. “We understand in addition to these cuts, there’ll be more coming,” said vice-president Mike Dempsey of the Alberta Union of Public Employees […] Read more
