Build back better. It’s a catchy slogan adopted by the United Nations, Canada and other countries and it’s a good idea. Throughout the pandemic, the Canadian agriculture and food industry has shown it is more than up to the task. But without the right practices, policies and infrastructure in place, it is becoming increasingly clear […] Read more
Opinion — page 2
Sticking out a neck can be scary business
I have much admiration for folks who make a living sticking their necks out with bold predictions of one sort or another. They weigh the facts, put their experience to work and share a thoughtful opinion about the future. Many of these people regularly end up in the pages of The Western Producer, particularly in […] Read more
Variety of factors complicate seeding these days
Every year, the rush to spring seeding has new wrinkles and complications. That’s certainly the case with the 2021 seeding season just weeks away. With plant breeders’ rights protection increasingly prevalent, accessing new varieties isn’t as simple or as inexpensive as it used to be. As for cleaning farm-saved seed, there are many proficient seed […] Read more
Who runs the farm when you’re not able to do it anymore?
You’ve worked hard to build up your farm. You’ve made all decisions for the farm. It’s your livelihood and it supports you and your family. Unfortunately, you’ve been in an accident that has left you without the capacity to make decisions. You’re still alive, but you aren’t able to farm anymore. What now? Who steps […] Read more
Letters to the editor – April 1, 2021
Carbon offset can’t Ignore past practices This letter is written to Saskatchewan farm groups and provincial and federal politicians from concerned farmers with regards to recent announcements on the federal carbon offset system. It requires farmers to show “quantifiable results above and beyond what is currently being done.” The federal government just sidelined 90 percent […] Read more
Industry “resiliency” is a never-given
Everybody hates getting their vehicle stuck and having to call for help. I’m sure the captain of the Ever Given, the gigantic container ship that completely blocked the Suez Canal for a week, was mightily embarrassed having to put out an emergency call to canal officials, tug boat operators and his bosses at the shipping […] Read more
Foreign workers part of our agricultural landscape
In Canada, we rely on relationships with workers from other countries to keep our nation running. In agriculture, they represent 50,000 to 60,000 of our annual workforce. Ensuring they are safe and welcome ensures our access to a domestic food supply. There is a role for government here to ensure Canadian farms are as safe […] Read more
Uncertainty continues to plague key agricultural files
Uncertainty remains a key component in several of the federal agriculture minister’s files. A little more than two years into her current role, Marie-Claude Bibeau has so far been unable to gain the provincial support needed to find a solution for Canada’s maligned business risk management programs. As she noted during a March 17 press […] Read more
Research requires entire value chain
When the Canadian Wheat Research Priorities task group convened in 2019 to begin the consultative process that would create the 2020-22 priorities, they invited representatives along the entire wheat value chain from across Canada. “There is tremendous value in having everyone at the table”, said Dean Dias, chief executive officer of Cereals Canada, the organization […] Read more
Farm groups line up behind the feds in AgriStability
The three prairie provincial governments each enjoy a great deal of farmer support. The same cannot be said for the federal Liberal government. And yet, the situation is completely reversed when you consider the ongoing stalemate over AgriStability enhancements. Farm groups far and wide are calling on the provinces to accept the federal offer on […] Read more
