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

Andrea Faubert of Corteva Agriscience and Brian Innes, executive director of Soy Canada, say farmers need to make friends, form alliances and tell their stories in order to help urban residents better understand why government decisions must take into account the impact on agriculture.  |  Ed White photo

Farmer advocacy starts with building bridges

Two lobbyists say urban residents’ distance from the reality of farming can affect how governments respond to ag issues

This is part of a series of stories that reporter Ed White will file this summer about the different approaches that can be taken when advocating for agriculture. DAUPHIN, Man. — Finding friends and building bridges will be key to keeping farmers from slipping off the public radar, two experienced Ottawa lobbyists say. “The more people […] Read more

Farmer Ernie Sirski, left, whose farm hosted the recent meeting of Soy Canada and the Manitoba Soybean and Pulse Growers Association, stands with Manitoba agriculture minister Ron Kostyshyn during the event.  |  Ed White photo

VIDEO: Prairie soybean sector celebrates milestones

The industry has made tremendous strides, going from 20,000 acres of the crop in 2000 to 1.5 million acres today

DAUPHIN, Man. — With a Ukrainian welcome of bread, salt and a sheaf of wheat, Soy Canada and the Manitoba Soybean and Pulse Growers Association began their anniversary celebrations by going back deep in into Canada’s farming past. Canada’s pulse and soybean industries are new in Canadian farming history but have arisen from the pioneering […] Read more


In a paper released June 20, Al Mussell of Agri-Food Economic Systems argues that Canadian ag policies should be focused on adaptation to a changing climate. One practical example could be soybeans. Leaders with Soy Canada have said that Saskatchewan could become a major producer of soybeans, thanks to a warming climate. | File photo

Climate change adaptation urged

WINNIPEG — Canadian farmers could benefit from climate change, says an agricultural economist from Ontario. That’s not a popular perspective, since mitigating climate change and reducing emissions from food production have become the main priorities in Canadian agriculture. However, Al Mussell is saying it, out loud. “Being at the northern fringe of viable agriculture globally, […] Read more

Winston Van Staveren, a Saskatchewan soybean grower, presents during the Soy Canada seminar in Tokyo during a recent trade mission to the Indo-Pacific.  |  Soy Canada photo

Indo-Pacific a big market opportunity for Manitoba soybeans: industry

Soy Canada representatives spent early February promoting Canadian soybeans by hosting seminars in Thailand and Japan

Glacier FarmMedia – A Manitoba soybean grower sees huge opportunity for Canadian food-grade soybeans after taking part in a trade mission to the Indo-Pacific. “We’re the ones that can have the quality they’re looking for,” said Melvin Rattai. He is chair of the Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers and a farmer near Beausejour, and took […] Read more