Wheat Growers Association says grain producers should get the same protection as what supply management receives
SASKATOON — Grain growers should be treated the same as dairy, egg and poultry farmers when it comes to trade upheaval, says a farm group. That was one of the main messages in a letter the Wheat Growers Association recently sent to Mary Ng, federal minister of export promotion, international trade and economic development. Related […] Read moreTag Archives Wheat Growers Association
Ag groups redouble pressure on governments, railways to stop strike or lockout
Glacier FarmMedia – Agricultural organizations across Canada have banded together to call for action to keep Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) workers on the job. “Our [Canada’s] reputation for supplying the world with quality agricultural products, while hard earned, is greatly threatened by unnecessary disruptions in the supply chain,” the […] Read more
Former Sask. agriculture minister remembered
Flags at legislature flew at half-mast on the news of Lyle Stewart’s death; he headed the ag department from 2012-18
REGINA — Former Saskatchewan agriculture minister Lyle Stewart was remembered last week for his tough, no-nonsense style — both in and out of politics. Whether he was riding a steer at Canadian Western Agribition, fighting off a carjacker or debating in the legislature, he was defined by his years as a farmer and rancher who could, […] Read more
Membership crisis rocks Cereals Canada
WINNIPEG — Several members of Cereals Canada are on the verge of quitting the organization, jeopardizing plans to build a major new ag tech centre in Winnipeg. The official launch of the funding campaign to establish the Global Agriculture Technology Exchange (GATE) has been postponed, with Cereals’ Canada’s June 27 board meeting expected to clarify […] Read more
Ottawa appoints new deputy ag minister
REGINA — A new federal deputy minister of agriculture is in place this week after prime minister Justin Trudeau announced changes earlier in May. After just more than a year in the job, Stefanie Beck is returning to defence as the deputy there and Lawrence Hanson is moving to agriculture. It’s a quick change after […] Read more
Gene-edited wheat tested
SASKATOON — Agriculture Canada has planted its first research plots of gene-edited wheat. The experimental wheat is being grown in a small field trial at the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre. Related stories: The goal is to produce spring wheat lines with greater ability to receive and use sunlight, according to an Alberta Farmer Express article. A […] Read more
U.S. wheat acres stop downward slide
American production has been falling for the last 40 years but it's not certain that this has benefited Canadian growers
SASKATOON — The freefall in U.S. wheat acres appears to have bottomed out. Farmers in that country are expected to plant 47.5 million acres of the crop this year, which is where acres have been since 2017. Related stories: However, it is a far cry from the peak of 88.25 million acres achieved in 1981. […] Read more
Rail strike vote concerns producers
Farm groups sounded the alarm after workers at both of Canada’s major railways voted to strike. “A rail strike now is the last thing we need. We’re at a critical point in the seeding season, and any delay in shipping can directly affect our bottom line and cause substantial economic losses across the agricultural sector,” […] Read more
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
Feds pressured to target duplicate grain inspection fees
Ag minister says grain act legislation almost ready, and producer group hopes it deals with the costs of double inspections
The Wheat Growers Association estimated 70 percent of the grain leaving Canadian ports is consequently being double-inspected, resulting in $60 million in unnecessary annual costs for growers. The cost for an outward official inspection more than tripled to $1.60 per tonne in 2013-14 from 51 cents before the introduction of user fees.
