Quebec’s agriculture minister has been removed from the provincial government’s cabinet and caucus, the premier’s office said Thursday. In a short press release, Premier Philippe Couillard said he was informed Thursday evening that Agriculture Minister Pierre Paradis is the subject of a police investigation. Given the circumstances, Paradis has been relieved of ministerial duties and […] Read more
Quebec ag minister pulled from caucus
Revenues fall but so do expenses at Alberta Barley Commission
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Alberta Barley Commission saw revenues fall by nearly $800,000 but still posted a surplus last year. Revenue fell to $4.1 million in the 2015-16 fiscal year from $4.9 million a year earlier, largely due to a drop in checkoffs and less revenue from the AgriInnovation program. But costs also were lower, including a drop of $360,000 […] Read more
McDonald’s, A+W roll out all-day breakfast for Canada
Burger chains McDonald’s and A+W expect to dial up their demand for Canadian eggs as they offer all-day breakfasts alongside their beef and chicken wares across the country, starting next month. Toronto-based A+W announced Thursday it would be “the first national burger chain to offer all-day breakfast at its restaurants” coast-to-coast starting Feb. 27, after […] Read more
What’s been your experience with precision ag?
Survey runs until March 4
Reading Time: < 1 minute Prairie farmers are being asked to take part in an online survey on precision agriculture to help advance innovation in Canadian farming. The survey, which runs until March 4, focuses on precision agriculture tools that western Canadian farmers use or are considering using in 2017, as well as barriers they face in adopting the technology. […] Read more
Quebec agriculture minister temporarily sidelined
Quebec’s agriculture minister Pierre Paradis is off work temporarily with what’s reported to be a concussion. Premier Philippe Couillard announced Wednesday that Paradis’ responsibilities as minister of agriculture, food and fisheries would temporarily go to Transport Minister Laurent Lessard. News outlets in Quebec including Radio Canada, La Presse and TVA reported Wednesday that Paradis had […] Read more
Grain handle helps lift CN to record Q4
Traffic in Prairie grain and U.S. soybeans got credit Tuesday for helping Canadian National Railway (CN) to a record profit for its fourth fiscal quarter. Montreal-based CN booked net income of $1.018 billion on revenue of $3.217 billion for the quarter ending Dec. 31, up from $941 million on $3.166 billion in the year-earlier period. […] Read more
Loonie value will determine 2017 ag outlook
FCC’s chief agricultural economist says a low Canadian dollar is expected to continue to benefit the sector
Reading Time: 2 minutes A low loonie is likely to continue to benefit Canadian farmers through 2017. That’s according to J.P. Gervais, Farm Credit Canada’s chief agricultural economist, who added that will be the continuation of a trend seen throughout 2016. “There are certainly other factors that could influence Canadian agriculture, such as the global economy, the investment landscape, […] Read more
Pulse crop strategy aims to broaden pulse demand
A new market development goal for Canada’s pulse crop industry hopes to create demand in use categories where pulses aren’t yet a major player. Pulse Canada’s board on Wednesday released a new target dubbed “25 by 2025,” under which the Canadian pulse crop grower/processor industry “will marshal its resources to create new demand in new […] Read more
New rules limit livestock travel time
Comments can be made until Feb. 15
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to the Health of Animals Regulations: Part XII which deals with humane transportation. The most significant change would limit travel time to 36 hours (from 48 hours previously) and also increase the rest time (to eight hours). The agency says it has also […] Read more
Eight more quarantines added in bovine TB probe
UPDATED, Jan. 23, 2017 — Another eight properties housing about 2,000 cattle have been put under federal quarantine since last week as officials continue to track down livestock exposed to bovine tuberculosis (TB). The Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Thursday pegged the number of premises under quarantine at about 58, and the number of animals […] Read more
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