Grain corn acres are expected to jump slightly this year in Manitoba, possibly hitting 400,000 acres | Robert Arnason photo

Food vs. fuel debate simmers in the background

Report estimates 27 per cent of cereal production will be diverted into biofuel production and other uses in next five years

The OECD/FAO are forecasting that 27% of the global cereals crop will go to biofuels and other industrial purposes by 2034.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed a massive increase in the U.S. biomass-based diesel mandate, which includes biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. However, under the proposed rules foreign biofuels and feedstocks would only generate 50 per cent of the Renewable Identification Numbers credit value relative to U.S. biofuels and feedstocks. Photo: File

U.S. biofuel rules to throttle canola

Canadian biofuels will not be competitive in the U.S. market if they do not get the same credit and tax value as American biofuels

There are positives and negatives for Canada’s canola industry after a flurry of biofuel policy announcements in the United States.


Canola in the last stages of flowering in a field near Marcelin, Saskatchewan.

U.S. door may open for canola

Crop would be eligible for biofuel tax credit under recent budget proposals in Congress

U.S. President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” could contain some beautiful news for Canada’s canola growers.




A green combine harvests canola.

Positive sign for biofuel sector

‘Big Oil’ joins biofuel and farm groups in their call for a big increase to biobased-diesel mandate

United States oil industry and biofuel groups are pushing for a massive increase in the country’s biodiesel and renewable diesel mandate.

Close up of a gas pump at a service station with "Biodiesel" written on the pump.

Canada launches anti-dumping investigation on U.S. renewable diesel 

Investigation unrelated to ongoing trade dispute with U.S. says Tidewater Renewables

UPDATED: March 7, 2025 – 1535 CST – SASKATOON — Trade tensions between Canada and the United States just ratcheted up another notch. “The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that it is initiating investigations to determine whether imports of renewable diesel from the United States are being dumped and subsidized,” the agency said […] Read more



An exterior photo of the facade of the Federated Co-Operatives Limited building, highlighting the company name.

FCL shelves renewable diesel, canola crush projects

REGINA — Federated Co-operatives Ltd. today announced it is not going ahead with its planned Integrated Agriculture Complex at Regina. The company said the two main projects within the complex have been “paused.” According to a news release, regulatory and political uncertainty, potential shifts in low-carbon public policy and escalating costs are the reasons the […] Read more