Ontario’s dairy industry is in a period of unprecedented growth, with over 15 per cent more quota going to dairy farmers in less than two years. There are almost certainly more quota increases to come, in order to increase milk production to displace significant volumes of butter now being imported. “It’s an absolutely great time […] Read more
Ontario dairy sector optimistic with expanding demand
Xplornet buying YourLink
One of Canada’s biggest providers of rural broadband is set to expand its space in the Saskatchewan market by buying rural high-speed wireless provider YourLink. New Brunswick-based Xplornet Communications on Monday announced an all-cash $28.75 million deal with Victoria-based Vecima Networks for the “remaining assets” of Vecima’s YourLink business. YourLink, based in Saskatoon, is a […] Read more
EU-Canada trade deal clears further hurdles in Europe
Brussels | Reuters — A planned EU-Canada free trade deal received backing from a committee of the European Parliament and Germany’s top court on Thursday, increasing its chances of entering force later this year. The European Union and Canada signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in October, but only after opposition from a […] Read more
Saskatchewan taking livestock premises ID mandatory
Saskatchewan livestock producers wanting to take part in provincial programs will soon have to have a valid premises identification (ID) number. The provincial and federal governments on Thursday announced the new requirement for Saskatchewan producers will take effect “over the coming months.” The province has had a voluntary premises ID (PID) program in place since […] Read more
Protectionism game comes with raised economic stakes: Frum
As U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration day approaches, the business world is pondering how the new administration might affect the world economy. Trump’s pride in his unpredictability is troubling, given he’s the president-elect, said David Frum, political commentator, former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, and a senior editor for Washington-based magazine The Atlantic. However, […] Read more
Trade lawyer named federal trade minister
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s latest mini-cabinet shuffle puts a Quebec lawyer specializing in international trade into the trade minister’s chair. Trudeau on Tuesday appointed Francois-Philippe Champagne, the rookie MP for the Shawinigan-area riding of Saint-Maurice-Champlain, as minister of international trade, replacing Chrystia Freeland. Freeland, as widely expected leading up to Tuesday’s announcement, becomes minister of […] Read more
Animal pharma firm Merial formally joins Boehringer
Global pharma giants Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim have formally sealed their deal to merge Sanofi’s global animal health business, Merial, into Boehringer’s. The two companies last week announced their deal has “successfully closed in most markets” as of Jan. 1. Paris-based Sanofi will get Boehringer’s global consumer health care business plus 4.7 billion euros (C$6.6 […] Read more
Nominations wanted for livestock awards
Nominations close March 1
Reading Time: < 1 minute Nominations are open for the Alberta Farm Animal Care awards of distinction, which recognize individuals or groups who have made exceptional contributions in the field of livestock welfare. There are three award categories: communication, industry leadership, and innovation. If you know an individual or organization whose contributions to animal care enhance their community and inspire […] Read more
Bocock Brothers receive top dairy award
Reading Time: < 1 minute John and Bill Bocock are the 2016 recipients of the Alberta Milk’s Dairy Industry Achievement Award. The brothers are trendsetters whose dairy careers have spanned decades, and among their contributions to the industry is a donation of 777 acres to the University of Alberta to create the St. Albert Research Station. The station is used […] Read more
Run the numbers, compare performance, and make more money
AgriProfit$ allows you to dig deep into where you make money on your farm and where your performance is lagging
Reading Time: 2 minutes Time is running out if you want to enrol in AgriProfit$. Producers have until mid-January to sign up for the business analysis program, said Pauline Van Biert, a research analyst with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. After providing their farm information, participants receive a detailed analysis that drills right down to their own cost of production […] Read more