A row of six massive steel grain bins.

Advance payment changes called for

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture policy summit examined several topics the industry is dealing with right now, including trade, and saw a major commodity group rejoin the organization

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture policy summit examined several topics the industry is dealing with right now, including trade, and saw a major commodity group rejoin the organization

Canadian Canola Growers Association, Canola Council of Canada, Cereals Canada, Grain Growers of Canada, Pulse Canada and Soy Canada said Canadian agriculture is already the most sustainable in the world, and the Sustainable Agriculture Strategy must contain measures that are practical, science-based, market driven and beneficial for the entire sector as well as the environment. | File photo

Farm groups back away from sustainable ag strategy

Organizations say they will no longer participate in strategy discussions, saying it does not align with producers' needs

REGINA — Agriculture Canada says consultations on its Sustainable Agriculture Strategy will continue even after six major organizations withdrew from the advisory committee last week. However, with the federal government in disarray after the Dec. 16 surprise resignation of former finance minister and deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland, the strategy may never see the light […] Read more

A private member’s bill that wants to take supply management off the trade table is at the centre of attention in Ottawa. | File photo

Supply management bill moves slowly through Senate

A private member’s bill that wants to take supply management off the trade table is at the centre of attention in Ottawa


REGINA — Clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-282 in the Senate is not expected until November, after the Bloc Quebecois deadline for triggering a federal election. Passing the private member’s bill to protect supply management in future trade agreements by Oct. 29 was one of BQ leader Yves-Francois Blanchet’s demands when he voted against recent Conservative […] Read more


As the types and severity of risks grow, it is important to educate ourselves with different options available to mitigate them. | Screencap via x.com/@MBstormchasers

Programs available to help producers mitigate farm risk

Being a farmer isn’t for the faint of heart. The different daily risks can be overwhelming, from market fluctuations, political uncertainties and changing consumer preferences to the all-consuming weather. Many farming practices such as crop rotations, herd health practices, crop insurance and forward contracts have been implemented to mitigate risks. As part of the core […] Read more

Canada is levying a 100 per cent surtax on all Chinese-made electric vehicles effective Oct. 1, 2024. The fear is that China may respond with retaliatory tariffs or other trade-restricting measures applied to some Canadian agri-food exports. | Getty Images

EV tariffs raise Chinese retaliation worries

SASKATOON — The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance is closely monitoring China’s response to a new round of Canadian tariffs. “Anything that could be perceived as an irritant to China obviously puts agri-food or anything else potentially in the crosshairs because we’ve seen it before,” said CAFTA president Greg Northey. Related stories: But it doesn’t mean […] Read more


Administration of APP could change

WHITEHORSE — Farmer-led organizations could lose their ability to run the Advance Payments Program, the largest administrator warned recently. About 30 organizations handle the program on behalf of the federal government. Dave Carey, vice-president of government and industry relations at the Canadian Canola Growers Association, said Ottawa is considering handing national administration to Farm Credit […] Read more

Farmers can access up to $1 million per year under the Advance Payments Program based on up to 50 per cent of the anticipated market value of the eligible commodities.  | File photo

Advance payment program remains popular among farmers

Farm cash applications have increased year over year despite the lower interest exemption, program administrators say

Glacier FarmMedia – This year’s federal Advance Payments Program began with a reduction in the interest-free portion of the loan, but it has been humming along since its April 1 launch. As of June 10, the Canadian Canola Growers Association, the largest administrator of the program with about 95 per cent of APP dollars loaned […] Read more

Farm organizations worry that researchers are turning away from farmer-relevant work because available funding doesn’t support mainstream agronomic projects related to efficiency, productivity or resiliency. |  File photo

Emissions focus worries ag sector

WINNIPEG — Forcing every federally supported agricultural research project to involve climate change mitigation threatens farmers’ vital interests, leading agriculture industry stakeholders say. “That lens is always ‘how is this going to help reduce emissions,’” noted CropLife Canada president Pierre Petelle in an interview during a farm meeting this winter. Other stories in this Special […] Read more


For the last few years the government temporarily increased the interest-free amounts to reflect challenging conditions including high interest rates. In 2023, farmers were eligible to receive up to $350,000 interest-free; the maximum total advance available is $1 million. Now, however, Ottawa will pay the interest on only $100,000, as it typically did. | File photo

Feds reduce interest-free portion of cash advance

Increases implemented over the last few years have been discontinued, leaving farmers to pay higher interest cost

REGINA — Farmers applying for spring cash advances should be aware the interest-free portion has dropped back to 2021 levels. For the last few years the government temporarily increased the interest-free amounts to reflect challenging conditions including high interest rates. In 2023, farmers were eligible to receive up to $350,000 interest-free; the maximum total advance […] Read more

Industry officials think there is a chance that the rules for “novel” trait and innovative research development could be finished this year.  |  File photo

Ag research potential praised, but danger lurks

Canada said to be developing innovative, investment-friendly climate, but gov’t remains under pressure from activists

WINNIPEG — Canada could be on the brink of becoming an agriculture research Mecca, or it could be on the verge of sliding into ag research paralysis. Both of those possibilities were discussed by Ottawa lobbyists at Keystone Agricultural Producers’ annual convention late last month. “We’re particularly excited about this,” said Andrea Faubert of Corteva […] Read more