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
Opinion
Case made against Mexico’s GMO ban
Mexico’s recent shift away from genetically modified corn after decades of acceptance has been deeply troubling, like watching a friend or family member embrace unfounded conspiracy theories. After issuing more than 85 food safety approvals and importing GM corn for more than 25 years, Mexico abruptly issued a series of bans on GM corn citing […] Read more
Here comes the 2024 farm bill, there goes any 2024 reforms
The slowest dance on Capitol Hill, the writing of a new farm bill, gained tempo May 1 when both the House and Senate agriculture committees released versions of their bills. The House bill was a broadly worded, five-page “outline,” while the Senate’s was a detailed 94-page report. Noting the differences in both heft and direction, […] Read more
Bunge-Viterra combination warrants careful scrutiny
Bunge’s proposed acquisition of Viterra has caused quite a stir in farm circles, and rightly so. This is not your run-of-the-mill business deal. It could potentially reshape the future of grain handling and processing in Western Canada. The acquisition or merger or whatever else it may be called, deserves careful attention by regulators, politicians and […] Read more
VIDEO: New chief commissioner brings ‘solid understanding’ of the issues facing grain industry
David Hunt, the new Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission, is well known and respected in Manitoba agricultural circles, where he has worked in both the private sector and with Manitoba Agriculture for many years. He’s less well-known west of the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border, so I popped by the CGC’s headquarters today to do an […] Read more
VIDEO: Cutting edge livestock feed research
Emily Burton of Nottingham Trent University in the UK discussed “responsible innovation” in an era in which nutritionists are facing expectations that their work can lead to major improvements in greenhouse gas and other emissions from livestock. “The pressure on us . . . is enormous,” she said. Burton urged fellow nutritionists to engage with […] Read more
This seeding season has had a few frustrations
Here are some of this year’s seeding season frustrations. Perhaps you’ll relate to one or more. It’s been a few years since we’ve had significant rain delays during seeding, and one of the frustrations is seed inoculant for pulse crops. We’ve long used peat inoculant applied to the seed as it goes into the seed […] Read more
Look back at May, 15, 1997 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 May 15, 1997, issue had a lot of coverage about Manitoba’s Flood of the Century, which was inflicting massive damage in the province. However, stories about the […] Read more
Bunge CEO speaks out on merger
Prairie farmers, stakeholders and communities want to know how and why the proposed Bunge-Viterra merger would be good for Canada. We’ve listened to your concerns and answered your questions, but I want you to hear the answers directly from me. The new company will be committed to Canadian workers and the transaction will not result […] Read more
Former editor retires after 32 years working to inform readers
We recently learned our long-time colleague Mike Raine is retiring after more than 30 years here at the Western Producer. It seems only fitting that we take a few words to acknowledge his contributions in the many roles, both official and unofficial, he filled around the office over the past three decades. Mike joined the […] Read more
