As federal and provincial agriculture ministers discuss sharp farm income support cuts in a five-year deal to be signed in September, farmers are demanding a greater say in the process. Support levels under AgriStability are on the table. “I think they are doing this behind the scenes and then want to present a package to […] Read more
Tag Archives Ag Finance
Farmers decry lack of say on AgriStability changes
Glencore gets thumbs up
Viterra purchase gets go-ahead | The company still has foreign regulations to iron out
Glencore International’s proposed $6.1 billion takeover of Canada’s largest grain company is a step closer to reality. However, the transaction is unlikely to be completed before the beginning of the new crop year as Glencore officials had previously suggested. Glencore officials confirmed July 15 that their plan to acquire Viterra has received approval from Industry […] Read moreNew Roundup Ready canola more flexible
The company that brought genetically modified crops to Canada has achieved regulatory approval for its first new trait in canola since 1996. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada have granted food, feed and environmental safety approval to Monsanto Canada’s new line of Roundup Ready canola. The company claims that TruFlex Roundup Ready canola […] Read more
Monsanto nixes separate fee for canola technology use
Genuity Roundup Ready seed | The fee will be included in the bag price, enabling growers to compare prices and calculate costs per acre
Monsanto Canada is getting rid of one of its most despised products. Starting next year, farmers will no longer be required to sign a technology use agreement (TUA) when they buy a bag of Genuity Roundup Ready canola seed. TUAs have been around since the company first introduced genetically modified canola in 1996. It was […] Read moreWhat gets you motivated every morning?
Why do you do what you do? This question has arisen several times in my life lately, in part because I’ve been engaged in some business planning meetings. If you’re doing the planning right, the word “why” should always be in your mind as you sketch out the future. I recently watched a video of […] Read more
Companion animals create issues for producers
A dog may be man’s best friend, but companion animals are no friends of agriculture. An increasing number of people have elevated their pets, particularly dogs, to family status. In fact, pets in our society are often treated better than people. Childhood obesity is a growing problem, but conscientious dog owners buy expensive food and […] Read more
Farming must be strong enough to withstand market fluctuations
A bit of history is in order as agriculture ministers negotiate a formula that will sharply reduce government farm support obligations over the next five-year agricultural policy framework. It has been a long time coming. The agreement at the Whitehorse meeting in September, barring an unexpected breakdown, will make government support programs less relevant to […] Read more
Cuts to farm income program jeopardize sector stability
The federal Conservatives make no secret of the fact that they’ve made deficit reduction a priority. But for them to target drastic reductions in farm income support eligibility, which translates directly into the amount of money available to farmers in times of need, is short-sighted. Farm income support agreements between Ottawa and the provinces are […] Read more
Living in historical times, and maybe for once being on the right side of them
Wow! Getting up this morning I immediately checked the prices on the CBOT and there they were: $8 nearby corn and $17.18 soybeans. Big inverses as commercial buyers scramble to buy up the little crop left out there. Incredible prices, setting historical records, lifting all of our boats.Wished I’d stayed up to see these record […] Read more
Letters for July 12, 2012
ATTACK ON LABOUR To the Editor: (Prime Minister Stephen) Harper has started his second attack on labour. The first was legislated back to work and pensions. Now the second phase is to convince the general public that all government workers are slothful, lazy freeloaders who only use sick days to take a holiday. Government workers […] Read more
