Economist defends Bunge-Viterra report I’m responding to statements made in an op-ed on page 11 of the May 16 issue by Gregory Heckman, chief executive officer of Bunge. I was one of the academics who wrote a report on the implications of the proposed Bunge-Viterra merger. I need to clarify the misleading statement that we […] Read more
Opinion
Letters to the editor – June 6, 2024
Use care and intention when forming a transition team
No two transition plans are the same. That is obvious to anyone who has read about the subject or has partially or completely navigated through the process. However, there are commonalities among lots of families and farms that manage through this important stage of the business lifecycle. One of those is that you will likely […] Read more
Farmland ownership issue resonates with voters
Many Saskatchewan residents may not even be aware that a Progressive Conservative party still exists in their province, much less know that the current leader is someone named Rose Buscholl. However, Buscholl and her party have tapped into a key concern — farmland ownership. The PCs and Buscholl have little hope of any electoral success. […] Read more
Look back at May 31, 2001, issue
For the next year, this column will mark The Western Producer’s 100th anniversary by taking a deep dive every week into a past issue of the paper. Last year’s Alberta drought coverage contained many comparisons to the devastation of 2001. In the May 31, 2001, issue, we get to see the beginnings of that catastrophe. […] Read more
Bunge-Viterra merger concerns remain
In a recent op-ed, Gregory Heckman, chief executive officer of Bunge, defended the proposed merger between Bunge and Viterra, arguing that the combination would mean investment and growth for Canadian agriculture, particularly in Saskatchewan. While the optimism from a corporate standpoint is expected, given that they are working to maximize profitability for shareholders, there are […] Read more
Rationale behind U.S. trade policy not always easy to follow
The Biden administration’s trade agenda — mostly forgotten after three years of COVID-19, inflation, war in Ukraine, brutality in the Middle East and a cantankerous Congress — recently surfaced, and wow, is it a mess. For example, both presumptive presidential candidates —Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump — recently argued over how high U.S. […] Read more
Barriers continue to fall for GM wheat production
Is genetically modified wheat finally ready for prime time? Researchers at Agriculture Canada in Lethbridge have planted their first greenhouse plots of wheat with genes edited to better receive and use sunlight. “I think it’s fantastic. It’s good for our industry and it is exactly what’s needed going forward,” Gunther Jochum, president of the Wheat […] Read more
Capital gains inclusion rate change will have an effect
The federal government delivered its budget April 16, and it contained two very important changes that could affect long-term planning for your operation. These changes are extremely important to note for agricultural producers because they will likely impact future tax payable amounts. They are the increase in the capital gains inclusion rate to two-thirds from […] Read more
Prairie crop commissions take expanded role
The conversion has been gradual, but over the past 20 years, and especially the past 10, crop commissions have taken over more and more of the roles traditionally performed by provincial agriculture departments. In each province, at various times, acrimony has erupted over cuts to agricultural staff and functions. In the past, cuts were sometimes […] Read more
Look back at May 20, 1999, issue
For the next year, this column will mark The Western Producer’s 100th anniversary by taking a deep dive every week into a past issue of the paper. The Canadian Wheat Board became a major story 10 years ago when Stephen Harper’s Conservative government dismantled its marketing monopoly, but the growing tension was already becoming visible […] Read more
