Ottawa | Reuters — As a blockade of Canada’s rail lines drags on and the economic impact deepens, police aware of the bitter legacy created by past fatal clashes with indigenous protesters have chosen not to clear the tracks by force. For the past two weeks, campaigners blocked rail lines in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta […] Read more
Police cautious on rail blockades due to legacy of past violence
Consumers want proof that crop farming is sustainable
Code of practice expected to be released for feedback this summer, says industry veteran Ted Menzies
Reading Time: 2 minutes Crop producers are practising sustainable farming, but consumers want proof — and that’s why a code of practice is needed, says a veteran industry leader. Consumers don’t understand that crop practices in Canada are sustainable, Ted Menzies said at the recent AGM of the Alberta Federation of Agriculture. “Maybe they don’t need to understand that,” […] Read more
Fraser: Rail blockades should be a lesson for all
Our latest so-called national crisis led to calls for police to arrest protesters and tear down blockades, but perhaps we should be thinking about how to prevent conflicts like this from happening in the first place. It’s amazing how much can change in just a few days. Canada’s Agriculture Day on Feb. 11 brought together […] Read more
Grain vessels backing up at West Coast
MarketsFarm — Vessels waiting to ship grain off Canada’s West Coast are backing up as blockades across the country slow rail traffic, according to reports tracking grain movement. Railway blockades have sprung up at a number of locations across the country over the past two weeks, as protestors express solidarity with Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs opposing […] Read more
Chickpea market steady, waits for next wave of demand
MarketsFarm — Demand for chickpeas often comes in waves, with the market currently in a lull waiting for the next swell. The last demand cycle came in early January, and the market has lacked “any kind of enthusiasm” over the past month, according to Colin Young of Midwest Grain at Moose Jaw. Within every pricing […] Read more
Crop protection Blue Book is popular, but not fully appreciated
Co-author says annual crop protection manual has valuable info on modes of action, resistance, and other topics
Reading Time: 2 minutes The Blue Book is known for its comprehensive list of pesticide products for use on major field crops, but the crop protection manual has “vast amounts of additional information,” says its co-editor. “These pages contain the hidden gems of information that are valuable to producers,” said provincial crop specialist Harry Brook. One example is herbicide […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Green pea bids back off highs
MarketsFarm — Green pea prices in Western Canada have come off their highs in recent weeks, as end users back away from the market. Top-end green pea bids have lost about a dollar per bushel over the past month, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire data. “A lot of the end users are full now,” said […] Read more
Passenger trains to run again, pipeline protests block freight
Ottawa | Reuters — Passenger rail operator Via Rail said Tuesday it would soon resume partial services between Quebec City and Ottawa while the government sought to end anti-pipeline protests that are blocking rail freight in Eastern Canada. Via said passenger services between the two cities would start on Thursday after it received a notification […] Read more
Garneau re-adjusts train speed limits
New limits in place for 'key trains' with dangerous goods
Having cut speed limits for trains hauling dangerous goods following a fiery derailment earlier this month, federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau is adjusting those limits for a “more targeted” approach. Garneau announced Sunday he has pulled his Feb. 6 ministerial order on speed limits and replaced it with a new one affecting so-called “key trains” […] Read more
Canada rules out sending police in on rail protests
Superior Propane expects supply shortages soon
Ottawa | Reuters — Canada’s Liberal government said on Friday it was deeply concerned about protests by aboriginal activists that are blocking some key railway lines but rejected a call to send in the police. Indigenous communities opposed to the construction of a gas pipeline project in British Columbia started interrupting rail traffic last week. […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
