In an era of social media and the rapid spread of misinformation, what the public thinks about farming practices can have a big impact on producers’ livelihoods.
Opinion
Many agricultural trend predictions have missed their mark
A lot of sure-fire predictions over the past decade or two have failed to materialize.
Elbows Up unifies country, but trade with U.S. still important
We need the U.S. for several reasons, not the least of which is trade. And agriculture is one of the main beneficiaries of that robust cross-border flow of commodities.
Ag extension system works, but co-ordination is a must
Research is one of the fundamental building blocks of a successful agriculture sector.
Farm equipment sales sector sees significant structural changes
Sales of new farm equipment have been declining quite dramatically in North America over the past couple years.
Sustainability is dead? Long live sustainability
Every farmer I have ever spoken to is intent on passing along their farm in better shape for the next generation. Indigenous farmers embrace managing their land for seven generations ahead. This thinking can inspire how Canada can compete in an unsettling global economy. Leaning into environmental sustainability may seem counter-intuitive at a time when […] Read more
New federal agriculture minister a surprising choice for many
I was as surprised as anyone when Heath MacDonald, Liberal MP for Malpeque in Prince Edward Island, was named federal agriculture minister last week.
Now is the time for Ottawa to modernize the Pest Management Regulatory Agency
An issue that has peeved farmers for years, which they say prevents productivity gains in the agriculture sector, is the time it takes the Pest Management Regulatory Agency to evaluate agricultural cropping products.
Letters to the editor – May 22, 2025
Supply management defends food sovereignty The recent federal election revealed strong public support for maintaining Canadian sovereignty. A vital component of that sovereignty is control over our food supply. The Western Producer article, “Supply management will soon become the centre of attention,” on page 7 of the May 8 issue highlights a troubling shift. It […] Read more
Seeding time brings back many memories from past decades
The size and complexity of today’s equipment would astound anyone from the 1980s. However, I still have a couple tandem grain trucks in use that are 1970s vintage, so not everything from back then is obsolete.
