Reading Time: 3 minutes You may have heard the buzz lately. There has been a lot of talk about emissions, environmental impact, and what the future looks like with a changing climate. The past few weeks have been dominated by conversations about the government of Canada’s plan to reduce emissions from on-farm fertilizer use. With little substance revealed regarding […] Read more
Opinion: The emissions controversy offers an opportunity for both sides
Like many farmers, I’m concerned but also see there’s a way to move forward if we work together
Supply doesn’t meet demand for ag workers in Alberta
People are submitting applications, but there’s a lack of follow-through and quality, say business owners
Reading Time: 3 minutes Aerial field sprayers are the fighter pilots of industry, swooping low and fast while dropping chemical armaments over fields. They’re used to challenges such as avoiding obstacles including power lines, trees, buildings and vehicles. But they’re facing a new challenge — getting chemical delivered to the aircraft. Calvin Murray, founder of Early Bird Air near […] Read more
Federal, provincial governments partner on ecological goods and services program
Few details available so far on the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program, but producers think it’s a good step
Reading Time: 3 minutes A new federal ecological goods and services program, the first of its kind, was announced in late July as part of the next five-year agriculture framework dubbed the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. About $250 million will fund a new Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP), designed to support ecological goods and services provided by the agriculture […] Read more
Alberta Beef Producers get funding for ‘living labs’ project
Government says real-world testing of stewardship practices will benefit the environment and farmers
Reading Time: 4 minutes Ottawa is putting $54-million into ‘living labs’ initiatives in six provinces, including $8.5 million in a project that will be led by Alberta Beef Producers. “Each living lab will focus on identifying innovative technologies and on-farm management practices that can be adopted by farmers nationwide to tackle climate change,” the government said in a release. […] Read more
Cash advance change could put $5,000 in your pocket
Government is raising the interest-free portion to $250,000, saving farmers an estimated $61 million
Reading Time: 2 minutes Canadian farmers with cash advances will save $61 million in interest charges over the next two years after Ottawa boosted the interest-free portion of the Advance Payments Program. Producers can borrow up to $1 million against the expected value of their commodities in a program year, with the first $100,000 interest-free and the rest at […] Read more
Fortune favours the speedy when it comes to grants
Focus On Practical Energy: Federal farm programs often pay out large sums, but they can become fully subscribed very quickly
Reading Time: 2 minutes It’s a simple equation: federal cash for green initiatives goes to those farmers who apply for it. Already this year, the $18-million Agricultural Clean Technology program stopped taking applications because of high demand. Up next is the $185-million On-Farm Climate Action Fund, which will help pay for costs for improving nitrogen management, cover cropping and […] Read more
Ottawa’s focus on green programs a concern for some farm groups
Focus On Practical Energy: While the programs are fine, producers also need ones that don’t fall into the green ‘bucket,’ they say
Reading Time: 4 minutes The flood of federal funding for adopting environmentally friendly farming practices is a positive step, but also a “drop in the bucket,” says the general manager of Alberta’s cereal commissions. Producers should definitely apply for the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (which offers 85 cents on the dollar for certain green practices), said Tom Steve of […] Read more
CCA calls foul on beef labelling proposal
Reading Time: < 1 minute Health Canada is off base with its plan to require a “high in saturated fat” warning label on packages of ground beef, says the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. “Canadians consume approximately half of their calories from nutrient-poor ultra-processed foods,” the organization said. “By contrast, ground beef is a nutrient-dense protein that contributes iron, zinc, vitamin B12, […] Read more
The federal government sows cash to reap environmental rewards
Millions are being given to farms to lower greenhouse gas emissions but applying isn’t quick and easy
Reading Time: 3 minutes The federal government continues to distribute millions of dollars to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from farms, but the application process is time consuming, says a successful applicant. Under the Agricultural Clean Technology program, 47 farms and ag businesses recently received a total of $15.2 million in grants for solar panels, energy-efficient grain dryers and […] Read more
VBP+ gets federal funding boost
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) program has been given a $200,000 federal grant for development of a web portal and an app for remote audits. The initiative will help the cattle sector’s efforts to show that beef is sustainably produced here. “It is more important than ever to raise awareness of the beef industry’s […] Read more
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