The Ontario government is putting $19 million into a new initiative to support the competitiveness of the greenhouse sector in the province. Provincial Agriculture Minister Jeff Leal announced the funding on Thursday at Link Greenhouse near Bowmanville, just east of Oshawa. The Greenhouse Competitiveness and Innovation Initiative aims to provide funding for the creation of […] Read more
Ontario greenhouse growers get competitiveness fund
Saskatchewan cuts farm fuel tax exemptions in budget
“Purple gas” is about to become a quaint old figure of speech for Saskatchewan farmers as the provincial tax exemption for bulk gasoline for farm use ends April 1. The provincial government on Wednesday rolled out a budget designed to dial back the province’s reliance on resource revenue in the face of slumping markets for […] Read more
Diesel prices soften, but watching U.S. infrastructure plan
CNS Canada — Sinking prices for crude oil and a softer Canadian dollar have kept diesel prices relatively low for Canadian farmers in 2017, and they could be heading lower, as long as U.S. President Donald Trump’s infrastructure plan doesn’t get in the way. “I would probably say in Canada you’re going to see numbers […] Read more
Technology could open up hay export markets for Ontario
An Ontario hay co-operative hopes to have a double-compaction facility running by 2018, giving it access to global markets for hay. Ontario hay has traditionally been at a shipping cost disadvantage compared to most competitors, as hay headed for Asia or the Middle East has had to be shipped by rail to the West Coast. […] Read more
Prince Rupert expansion to handle crop containers
A Montreal logistics firm specializing in loading pulses and grains into containers for export out of Vancouver and Montreal plans to set up shop at Prince Rupert. The Prince Rupert Port Authority on Monday announced Ray-Mont Logistics is developing a logistics and container loading facility at the south end of the West Coast port’s Ridley […] Read more
Don’t take chances when removing duals
Reading Time: < 1 minute While duals are useful to improve traction and reduce soil compaction, removing them when not needed reduces tire wear and enhances manoeuvrability. But removing duals can be hazardous and people have been crushed by falling wheels or suffered strains and sprains. Read more: Ribbons to promote ag safety Removing duals is a two-person job and […] Read more
Federal rules tightened for recreational drone use
Citing recent “reckless use of drones that is putting the safety of Canadians at risk,” the federal government has set up new temporary rules limiting where and when drones can be flown for the heck of it. Transport Minister Marc Garneau on Thursday announced an interim order with new rules for the recreational operation of […] Read more
Robot milker firm Lely to shed forage equipment business
Dutch dairy equipment manufacturer Lely, best known in the Canadian market for its robotic milking systems, plans to focus on that business and sell its forage equipment lines to Agco. The two companies announced Monday they have an agreement in principle for Lely to sell its forage division, including two German manufacturing plants, to U.S.-based […] Read more
Caterpillar says compliant with tax laws after IRS claim
Reuters — Caterpillar Inc. said Friday it was compliant with tax laws, a week after federal law enforcement officials raided three of the company’s buildings in connection with a probe into the heavy machinery manufacturer’s offshore tax practices. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has challenged the company’s taxes for the years 2007-2012, the company said […] Read more
U.S. authorities raid Caterpillar’s Illinois facilities
Chicago | Reuters –– U.S. federal law enforcement officials searched three facilities of heavy machinery manufacturer Caterpillar on Thursday, prompting a sharp sell-off in the company’s stock. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney Office for the Central District of Illinois, Sharon Paul, confirmed that federal law enforcement officials conducted searches at locations in Peoria, East […] Read more
