Reading Time: 3 minutes Alberta farm income more than doubled last year. But it’s not as good as it sounds, even if you have been indulging in some of what is suddenly the province’s third-largest cash crop. Net farm income in Alberta in 2019 was just north of $671 million — which is well above the 2018 figure of […] Read more
Not the best of times, but farm income rose in 2019
After a big drop two years ago, net income rose last year — and cannabis became a major crop
Pig farmers seek aid of $20 per hog against market crash
Losses of $675 million expected from COVID-19-related causes
Canada’s hog producers seek an immediate federal cash injection equivalent to $20 per hog against a market crash that’s expected to cost their sector about $675 million overall. Officials with the Canadian Pork Council on Thursday called for Ottawa to provide further aid to hog farmers who are now expecting to lose $30 to more […] Read more
GFO quits Grain Growers of Canada
Grain Farmers of Ontario flags national group's 'governance' and structure
Grain Farmers of Ontario has dropped out of Grain Growers of Canada. The Ontario organization, which represents about 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat farmers in the province, cited a lack of representation in the national policy group. GFO publicly announced its withdrawal in a news release on Thursday, days after it informed the […] Read more
Fraser: The case against carbon pricing for farmers
The federal government continues to suggest the carbon tax imposed on Prairie farmers is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and may not be causing undue harm to the country’s agricultural sector. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau speaks publicly about “special considerations” for farmers, while at the same time openly questioning carbon pricing’s effect on their […] Read more
Prairie provinces react to Bibeau’s questions on carbon price impact
Ottawa — The Saskatchewan and Manitoba governments continue attempts to convince the federal government’s carbon pricing program puts farmers at a disadvantage. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau recently suggested the carbon pricing system may not be disadvantaging farmers, questioning the impact of carbon pricing on agriculture, but saying she will continue to seek out more […] Read more
Throne speech kicks off Parliament with nod to agriculture
The federal throne speech opening the first session of Canada’s 43rd Parliament further committed the Liberal minority government to combating climate change, supporting natural resource sectors and removing international trade barriers. Including a pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the speech, delivered Thursday in Ottawa, showed the government again demonstrating its commitment to a […] Read more
Federal government funding $6 million to Canada Pork International
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has announced $6 million will be invested in Canada Pork International (CPI) to focus on strengthening, diversifying and growing of Canada’s pork exports. It will help to boost the awareness of the industry in the priority international markets. Why it matters: A halt to exports to China has made finding other […] Read more
Feds provide funding for rail crossing upgrades
Fifteen crossings will get upgrades such as lights, gates, and improved warning systems
Reading Time: < 1 minute The federal government has announced a new $16.5-million Rail Safety Improvement Program for 136 projects across the country, including 33 in Alberta. More than a third of the Alberta projects are for grade crossing closures (13 in Calgary and one at Mile 104.12 of the Maple Creek Subdivision). Fifteen others will see improvements such as adding flashing lights […] Read more
Cigi given $6.2 million in new funding
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) is receiving $6.2 million in federal funding to demonstrate Canadian wheat quality to international markets, improve customer knowledge of the performance and functionality of Canadian wheat, and gather and share information on customers’ end-use requirements with the Canadian value chain. “Cigi’s relationships with millers and end-users around the world […] Read more
Province-wide farm aid unlikely, says Alberta Beef Producers chair
While many producers are in dire straits, feed shortage is not technically ‘a disaster’
Reading Time: 4 minutes Alberta Beef Producers is gathering the facts on the feed shortage in the province and preparing a case for government aid for drought-stricken ranchers. But although the federal government has now made much of the province eligible for its tax deferral program, direct aid is unlikely, said ABP chair Charlie Christie. “My gut feeling right […] Read more
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