Farmers across the country have complained that existing risk management programs are ineffective and complicated. Participation in AgriStability has dropped significantly, and there is no coverage for regional disasters. | File photo

Ag ministers must decide on program review at meeting

Several Canadian farm organizations say they expect agriculture ministers will approve a review of business risk management programs at their annual meeting this week in St. John’s. Federal, provincial and territorial ministers are meeting July 20-21. Canada’s AgGrowth Coalition said a comprehensive policy review could be done over the next year, followed by another year […] Read more

An online survey about what Saskatchewan farmers want in the next agriculture policy framework is now open. | Screencap via www.saskatchewan.ca/growingforward2

Sask. surveys farmers on new ag policy framework

An online survey about what Saskatchewan farmers want in the next agriculture policy framework is now open. Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart said the consultations would help determine the priorities for the next agreement after Growing Forward 2 expires March 31, 2018. Federal and provincial agriculture ministers agreed in July on six broad themes for the […] Read more

The federal agriculture committee begins its study of the next agricultural policy framework this week and has once again changed its western travel plans. | File photo

Ag committee finalizes Growing Forward travel plans

The federal agriculture committee begins its study of the next agricultural policy framework this week and has once again changed its western travel plans. Prior to taking a parliamentary break after Thanksgiving, the committee agreed to reconvene Oct. 18 for its last meeting on genetically modified animals for human consumption. On Oct. 20, members begin […] Read more


Manitoba has been dropped from an upcoming consulting tour, which will lay the foundation for Canada's next agricultural policy framework. | Nicolas Raymond/freestock.ca photo

Manitoba farmers feeling left out as hearings skip province

WINNIPEG — Manitoba has been dropped from an upcoming consulting tour, which will lay the foundation for Canada’s next agricultural policy framework. That will limit the province’s producers, the head of an industry group says. The House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food will be holding a consulting tour to hear from industry […] Read more

Canada’s agriculture ministers are meeting in Calgary this week to begin negotiating the next Growing Forward agreement. | Karen Briere photo

Farm program discussions expected to dominate ag ministers meeting

Producers seek changes to business risk management programs, unhappy with provisions in last version of GF2

Canada’s agriculture ministers are meeting in Calgary this week to begin negotiating the next Growing Forward agreement. Particularly at issue during the annual federal-provincial gathering will be changes that producers want to business risk management programs for the five-year agreement, which will take effect April 1, 2018. Many are unhappy with the changes made at […] Read more


Alberta minister Oneil Carlier, who attended his first meeting last year,  is co-hosting with federal minister Lawrence MacAulay who said he is anxious to highlight Alberta's industry. | File photo

Farm programs to dominate ag ministers meeting

Canada’s agriculture ministers are meeting in Calgary this week to begin negotiating the next Growing Forward agreement. Particularly at issue during the annual federal-provincial gathering will be changes that producers want to business risk management programs for the five-year agreement, which will take effect April 1, 2018. Many are unhappy with the changes made at […] Read more