The Alberta government is calling on federal lawmakers to impose a system of “immediate” cash penalties against railways that don’t meet obligations on grain delivery. The province’s agriculture minister Verlyn Olson is booked to meet Monday in Winnipeg with his federal counterpart, Gerry Ritz, plus representatives from the grain industry and Canadian Grain Commission. Up […] Read more
‘Immediate’ penalties urged for railways on grain delays
Consider farmers’ viewpoint when advising on back pain
About four of every five Canadians suffer back pain at some time in their lives — but any professionals advising farmers on how to manage the problem will want to consider how farmers’ needs differ from those of other sufferers, a new study suggests. Of course, farmers’ access to health care out in rural areas […] Read more
Japan eyes trade pact concessions as talks with U.S. begin
Tokyo | Reuters — Japan could make concessions on tariffs on some sensitive farm products, a key cabinet minister said Tuesday, as U.S. and Japanese officials began talks ahead of next week’s high-level multilateral negotiations on a U.S.-led free trade deal. A deal between the U.S. and Japan, the two biggest economies taking part in […] Read more
PEDv confirmed in Manitoba, suspected in P.E.I.
The piglet-killing porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) is now suspected to have reached Canadian hog farms in three provinces. The Manitoba government and Manitoba Pork Council on Friday reported the virus is now confirmed in hogs at a wean-to-finish operation in the province’s southeast, a region known for intensive livestock production and considered to be […] Read more
PEDv suspected on Manitoba hog farm
Winnipeg’s National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease is testing samples from a Manitoba wean-to-finish hog operation suspected of having the province’s first case of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv). The Manitoba Pork Council late Thursday announced that the province’s chief veterinary officer had reported what are believed to be positive samples of PEDv from hogs […] Read more
Ag crowdfunding platform launches first deal
Reuters — Crowdfunding has found the farm. AgFunder, an online platform for agriculture-related companies to seek capital through a form of crowd-sourced fundraising, said Wednesday it was launching its first campaign by focusing on a California agricultural data company. Through the online platform, Fresno, California-based OnFarm is looking to raise $400,000 in capital to grow […] Read more
Pearce: Agco focuses on S. Ontario, East with new distribution centre
Recognizing agriculture in Ontario is “on the move,” one machinery company is showing its commitment, planting an investment in the heart of southern Ontario. Agco, the U.S.-based manufacturer of 11 brands including Massey Ferguson, Fendt, Gleaner and White, last week opened its new full-stocking parts and distribution centre in Woodstock. At more than 67,000 square […] Read more
Coop Federee to close Que. hardware distribution centre
Agricultural co-operative La Coop federee plans to close the distribution centre supplying “hardware and material” to its Unimat chain of ag supply and hardware retail stores by early next year. The Quebec co-op giant, whose operations also include fuel company Sonic and meat packer Olymel, said Friday it will gradually shut down those distribution operations […] Read more
PEDv hits more Ont. farrowing barns
The porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, most often fatal to new young piglets, has appeared so far this week at three more farrow-to-finish operations in southwestern Ontario. Ontario Pork on its website reported two new cases of PEDv at farrow-to-finish barns in Perth and Wellington counties, confirmed Wednesday, along with a case confirmed Tuesday at another […] Read more
CN, Teamsters reach new deal to avoid conductors’ strike
Conductors, trainmen and yardmen for Canadian National Railway (CN) will remain on the job following an 11th-hour tentative agreement under threat of back-to-work legislation. “We commend the leadership of the (Teamsters Canada Rail Conference unit) for reaching consensus with the company and averting a possible strike,” CN chief operating officer Jim Vena said in a […] Read more
