The federal government’s regulatory grip on the levers of Prairie grain freight has officially tightened. Gov. Gen. David Johnston on Thursday granted royal assent to Bill C-30, the government’s Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Act, setting new minimum levels for the amount of Prairie grain that must be hauled this summer and allowing shippers to directly claim […] Read more
Feds’ grain freight legislation goes live
Mosaic CEO to take leave for cancer surgery
U.S. fertilizer firm and Saskatchewan potash miner Mosaic Co. has named an interim CEO while its Canadian-raised chief executive takes medical leave for cancer surgery. Jim Prokopanko announced Thursday he’ll take a six- to eight-week medical leave of absence effective June 1, after which Larry Stranghoener, the company’s chief financial officer, will step in as […] Read more
Neonics ban wouldn’t immediately reverse bee declines: review
Any bid to ban the use of neonicotinoid pesticides in farm crops likely wouldn’t bring bee populations back immediately, according to a new review of the issue calling for “evidence-based” debate. The review was published Wednesday in Proceedings of the Royal Society by 10 scientists including University of Guelph professor Nigel Raine, the school’s Rebanks […] Read more
Maple Leaf’s flagship pork plant cutting days: MPC
Market conditions leading one of Canada’s major pork packers to cut operating days at its flagship western Manitoba plant aren’t likely to improve soon, the province’s hog producers warn. Toronto processor Maple Leaf Foods has announced it will cut one processing day per month from the schedule at its Brandon, Man. plant for the next […] Read more
AAFC’s ag adaptaton program renewed, trimmed
Ag industry groups may now again tap into a federal grant program for projects helping the sector adapt to “emerging issues” — but those eligible will have to adapt to a smaller overall purse. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada on Monday announced a renewed five-year Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP), replacing the previous five-year CAAP which […] Read more
Canola Growers file service complaints on CN, CP
The national body for over 43,000 canola producers across Canada is set to bring both of the country’s major railways up before regulators to answer for their grain service in 2013-14. The Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) announced Monday it has filed a level-of-service complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), alleging Canadian National (CN) […] Read more
Ukraine to accept Canadian purebred sheep, goats
Canadian producers of purebred sheep and goats will be able to export their livestock to Ukraine under a new agreement announced Thursday. The Canadian government said Thursday the deal will allow Canada’s producers to expand their sales into the market and benefit Ukrainian breeders through “greater access” to Canadian genetics. The new agreement on sheep […] Read more
Deal sealed to save Ont. tomato processing plant
Farmers around Leamington, southwestern Ontario’s tomato-growing capital, will continue to supply tomatoes to the local 105-year-old processing plant under new management. Michael Mullen, senior vice-president of corporate and government affairs for U.S. food processing giant H.J. Heinz, confirmed Tuesday the company has completed its deal to sell the Leamington plant to Highbury Canco, a consortium […] Read more
New rules to ease seed potato exports to U.S.
New changes to the guidelines meant to keep potato cyst nematodes (PCN) in check are expected to reduce the cost and testing burden on seed potato growers exporting to the U.S. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and U.S. Department of Agriculture announced adoption of their revised guidelines Tuesday. Seed potato growers, effective immediately, can be […] Read more
Richardson’s canola crushing expansion now on line
Prairie grain handler and processor Richardson International has ramped up its canola crushing capacity in eastern Saskatchewan with an expansion now on line. The previously announced expansion work, valued at about $30 million, brings the company’s crushing capacity at Yorkton, Sask. up to 3,000 tonnes per day from 2,400 previously. The plant, which began processing […] Read more
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