Bill C-282, which would protect supply managed sectors such as dairy in future trade talks, has become a political hot potato in Parliament.  |  File photo

Senate won’t fast-track supply management bill

Bloc Quebecois makes bill’s immediate passage a condition of preventing an early election, but senators will not budge

REGINA — The Senate committee on foreign affairs and international trade appears to be staying the course on Bill C-282, despite pressure to move it along quicker. International trade minister Mary Ng and others wrote to the committee earlier this month, twice asking it to expedite the bill that would protect supply managed sectors in […] Read more

The countdown to the lockdown deadline set by the railways runs out at one minute past midnight tonight. | File photo

Time runs out for a negotiated settlement for Canada’s railway labour dispute

Deadline for lockout set by two major railways expires tonight at one minute past midnight

UPDATED: 0745 CST August 22, 2024 – Glacier FarmMedia – As pressure mounts on the federal government to intervene in the labour dispute between Canada’s two largest railways and their workers, the threat of a stoppage became reality earlier today. The countdown to the lockdown deadline set by the railways ran out at one minute […] Read more

Canada Beef and the CCA are getting up to $5,865,110 and $453,364, respectively, for advertising campaigns, trade missions, technical training and educational seminars. | Screencap via cattle.ca

Beef sector has plans for recent federal funding

Indo-Pacific, Middle East regions are identified as priorities for $6 million in new marketing and beef promotion money

Glacier FarmMedia – Canada Beef and the Canadian Cattle Association have plans for the recently announced boost to marketing budgets, meant to promote Canadian beef around the globe. In early July, federal agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay announced more than $6 million for the two industry organizations under the AgriMarketing Program, an initiative of the Sustainable […] Read more


The federal government said the situation has become more challenging for producers due to climate change, when announcing a list of regions eligible for the deferral on June 14. The LTD allows producers in designated areas, who were forced to sell all or part of their breeding herd, to defer a portion of the income from those sales to a subsequent tax year. | File photo

Feds announce early livestock tax deferral

Program has also been streamlined and buffer zones added to ensure eligibility

Glacier FarmMedia – Livestock producers in drought-affected areas are getting and early livestock tax deferral (LTD) for the 2024 season. The federal government said the situation has become more challenging for producers due to climate change, when announcing a list of regions eligible for the deferral on June 14. The LTD allows producers in designated […] Read more

While some have praised aspects of the plan, others have condemned the lack of attention paid to agriculture and farmers. | Screencap via budget.canada.ca

Federal budget draws mixed reaction from Canadian ag groups

Livestock tax deferral, capital gains exemption praised; overall lack of investment in agriculture noted

Glacier FarmMedia – The 2024 federal budget, released Tuesday afternoon has drawn mixed reactions from ag groups across Canada. While some have praised aspects of the plan, others have condemned the lack of attention paid to agriculture and farmers. The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) stated that they were “cautiously optimistic” to see recognition of the […] Read more


The Code Development process will begin with a survey to capture welfare concerns from all stakeholders. Results from the surveys will help the Code Committee understand the issues stakeholders want to see in the update. | File photo

Canada’s Code of Practice for the care and handling of beef cattle to be updated

Beef stakeholders invited to fill out a survey

Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian Cattle Association has initiated an update to the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle. The National Farm Animal Care Council is involved, and the update will be in line with the National Farm Animal Care Council’s Code Development practice. The Code Development process will begin […] Read more

Producers had asked for the amount to be raised after learning in late February it would change. The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan said it was happy with the decision. | File photo

Producers welcome change to cash advance program

After much lobbying, federal government decides to increase interest-free portion of program to $250,000 for this year

REGINA — The interest-free portion of the federal Advance Payments Program will be $250,000 this year, much to farmers’ relief. The amount had been set to drop back to $100,000 at the end of this month after sitting at $350,000 for 2023. Federal agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay announced the change March 25. “In the face […] Read more

Beef producers are among the livestock groups that object to the United States’ new Product of USA labelling rule, saying it may stifle access to American markets.  |  Alexis Stockford photo

Product of USA rule alarms producers

Glacier FarmMedia – Canada’s livestock sector will monitor the effects of a new U.S. voluntary country-of-origin labelling ruling announced March 11. “It is crucial to address any issues that threaten or diminish the cattle and beef trade between Canada and the U.S.,” said Nathan Phinney, president of the Canadian Cattle Association, in a media release. […] Read more



 British cheese access to Canada is not technically linked to the dispute over Canadian beef, but many see the two products as connected in the give-and-take of trade talks.  |  Reuters/ Phil Noble photo

Farmers like Canadian response to U.K.

WINNIPEG — Canada is sticking to its guns following the United Kingdom’s retreat from bilateral trade talks, refusing to provide extra access to Canada’s protected cheese market and insisting the U.K. stop discriminating against Canadian meat. “The one thing we won’t do is be snookered or get intimidated into signing a bad deal. That’s not […] Read more