Toronto | Reuters –– Ontario will scale back its purchase of renewable power in a move expected to result in savings of up to $3.8 billion from a 2013 forecast, the provincial government said on Tuesday. It’s not clear consumers will benefit directly, though the province’s Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault told a news conference a […] Read more
Ontario to scale back renewable energy purchases
Growmark buys up Ontario farm fuel firm UPI
U.S. farm co-operative Growmark is set to boost its space in the Ontario farm supply market with a deal for the half of fuel supplier UPI Energy it doesn’t already own. Growmark on Monday announced it would buy the remaining 50 per cent stake in Guelph-based UPI from Suncor Energy for an undisclosed sum. UPI […] Read more
EU, Canada seek to win over CETA doubters with declaration
Vienna/Brussels | Reuters — Canada’s trade minister and the European Union’s trade chief sought Wednesday to overcome the doubts of Austria and other EU members over a planned EU-Canada free trade deal, with a declaration spelling out the limits of the contentious pact. Canadian Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland, speaking in Vienna, said the legally binding […] Read more
Germany’s Gabriel gets green light to support CETA
Wolfsburg, Germany | Reuters — Germany appeared set on Monday to back an ambitious trade accord between the European Union and Canada after the leader of the Social Democrats (SPD), junior partner in the ruling coalition, overcame left-wing resistance to the deal within his party. The SPD decision paves the way for EU member states […] Read more
Bayer betting billions farmers will back linked-up supplies
Frankfurt | Reuters — Bayer’s US$66 billion purchase of Monsanto amounts to a long-term bet that farmers will grow to trust combinations of seeds and pesticides rather than continue to pick from ranges of separate products. In the short term, the German drugs and chemicals firm hopes to benefit from a marketing and sales force […] Read more
Growers asked to join the fight against late blight
Whether you grow potatoes and tomatoes in your garden or commercially, don’t give late blight a chance
Reading Time: 2 minutes Potato and tomato growers are being asked to help the effort to restore Alberta’s status of being free of late blight. “Everyone was encouraged to increase early and season-long monitoring of fields, gardens, and greenhouses in order to protect crops from late blight, as well as have a quicker response to any perceived infections,” said […] Read more
Austrian government split on opposition to CETA
Vienna | Reuters –– Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern’s opposition to a free trade agreement between the European Union and Canada was countered by fervent praise for the deal from his deputy at a special parliamentary session on the issue on Wednesday. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada, negotiations for which have finished, […] Read more
TPP study sees net ‘neutral’ effect on dairy sector
An economic impact study on Canada’s participation in a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal finds losses in Canada’s dairy sector would be “offset” by gains for dairy processors from cheaper dairy imports. The study, prepared for the federal government by its Office of the Chief Economist and released Friday, notes Canada has offered expanded access […] Read more
Canada working toward EU trade agreement in October
Toronto | Reuters –– Canada is working toward signing a new trade agreement with the European Union in October, federal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland said Monday. “We’re working hard for it to be the year when CETA, the Canada-EU trade agreement, is signed. We’re working towards signing in October and ratification early next year,” she […] Read more
Wet weather slows harvest operations, halts some producers completely
Alberta crop conditions as of September 6
Reading Time: 2 minutes The wet weather over the past week slowed down or completely halted harvest operations in most areas across the province, especially the North East, North West and Peace Regions. The recent moisture will also have a potential impact on crop quality. Provincially, 16 per cent of the crop has been harvested (up seven per cent […] Read more
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