Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Agriculture is encouraging producers to make use of a three-part fact sheet on obtaining financing. Successful loan applications have many elements, said new-venture specialist Kathy Bosse. “Asking for funding is not unlike a job interview,” she said. “Be prepared to address holes or weaknesses in your plan to show you also recognize obstacles but […] Read more
Up your odds of getting a loan
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia impose spring weights
Spring weight limits on trucks and other vehicles are coming into effect on certain roads in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The Nova Scotia transportation department on Thursday announced a maximum weight of 15 tonnes on gravel roads starting at noon Friday (Feb. 24) “until further notice.” “Unseasonably warm weather is softening gravel roads to […] Read more
Coop federee cracks $6 billion mark in revenues
Revenues for expansion-minded Quebec agrifood and retail co-operative La Coop federee crossed the $6 billion mark in fiscal 2016, leading to a substantial jump in patronage dividends to producers. The co-operative at its annual meeting reported earnings, before patronage dividends and income taxes, of $275.44 million on $6.335 billion in revenues for fiscal 2016, up […] Read more
Seed rebate for cropland conversion
Reading Time: < 1 minute Ducks Unlimited Canada and Crop Production Services are once again offering a discount on Proven forage seed for producers who convert cropland to pastures. Alberta and Saskatchewan producers receive a rebate of $100 per 50-pound bag of forage seed, while Manitoba producers can get up to $125 for every new forage acre seeded as part […] Read more
Newfoundland shifts Lands Branch to new department
The government branch overseeing Crown land in Newfoundland and Labrador will join the provincial ministry handling the agrifoods file, as the province moves to cut public sector costs. Premier Dwight Ball on Wednesday announced what he billed as the “Flatter, Leaner Management Structure” for the provincial government, a reorganization which will see 287 management positions […] Read more
Viterra results offset Glencore’s improved year-end
Commodity giant Glencore’s efforts to ratchet down its debts paid off in fiscal 2016 — though “challenges” weighed on the ledger for its Viterra grain handling arm. Swiss-based Glencore on Thursday released preliminary results for 2016, booking net income attributable to equity holders of $1.379 billion on $152.948 billion in revenues, up from an $8.114 […] Read more
Warm Saskatchewan weather spells early load limits
A long spell of spring-like weather in Saskatchewan’s southwest has softened roads to the point where winter weights are about to be removed. Increased winter weights will end in southwestern Saskatchewan, including several major roads and 70 rural municipalities, starting at 12:01 a.m. Friday (Feb. 24), the provincial highways department announced Wednesday. Affected roads will […] Read more
Health Canada clears ground beef irradiation
Fresh and frozen ground beef treated with irradiation can now be sold in Canada, the federal health department announced Wednesday. Health Canada has published regulations in the Canada Gazette which add fresh and frozen ground beef to the short list of irradiated foods, such as potatoes, onions, spices and flour, that are permitted for sale, […] Read more
Quebec extends organic conversion funding plan
A support program for Quebec farmers to convert crop, livestock or maple syrup operations to organic production will get an extension. Provincial Agriculture Minister Laurent Lessard on Monday announced the three-year, $4 million organic agriculture conversion support program set up in June 2015 will now run to the end of March 2022. The program offers […] Read more
Maple Leaf to buy U.S. veggie dog, burger maker
Canadian meat packer Maple Leaf Foods is buying space on the non-meat side of the deli section with a deal for U.S. processor Lightlife Foods. Toronto-based Maple Leaf announced Tuesday it would pay US$140 million for Lightlife, which makes vegetarian burgers, hot dogs, sausage, deli cuts, jerky and other meatless protein products at Turners Falls, […] Read more
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