(Richardson Pioneer via YouTube)

Richardson won’t renew canola, flax, soy funding

One of Canada’s biggest grain companies is stepping out of three Canadian oilseed industry organizations — and taking its funding when it goes. Winnipeg-based, privately-held Richardson International has announced it will not provide funding in 2018 for the Canola Council of Canada and the Flax Council of Canada, nor will it renew its funding commitment […] Read more

Flax Council of Canada agronomist Rachel Evans, shown here at left at a test plot site near Melita, Man. in July 2017, was the council’s most recent hire. (Manitoba Co-operator photo by Alexis Stockford)

Flax Council of Canada to shut office

The national promotional agency for Canada’s flax industry plans to move forward without a bricks-and-mortar office starting next month. The Flax Council of Canada announced Monday its downtown Winnipeg office, which it shares with the Manitoba Flax Growers Association, will close effective Jan. 31. Going forward, the council said it will “continue to operate on […] Read more


Hand over wheat field in early summer evening.

Eighteen good causes championed by farmers receive grants

Reading Time: 2 minutes Thanks to the support of Canadian farmers, 66 rural-based charities and non-profits — including 18 in Alberta — have received a $2,500 grant from the Canada’s Farmers Grow Communities program. The six-year-old program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, gives grants to schools, libraries, historical societies, health and recreational facilities, rural daycares, senior clubs, 4-H groups, […] Read more

(Jack Dykinga photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Prairie wheat commissions to collaborate on research funding

The Prairie provinces’ three wheat commissions are set to take a team approach to research funding through a new not-for-profit body. The Alberta Wheat Commission, Sask Wheat and the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association on Tuesday announced the formation of the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) to “facilitate long-term investments aimed at improving profitability […] Read more


(JBSs.infoinvest.com.br)

JBS sells LatAm units to Minerva

Sao Paulo | Reuters — JBS SA has agreed to sell plants in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to rival Minerva SA for US$300 million, as the world’s largest meatpacker seeks cash to weather a corruption scandal that caused a spike in funding costs. JBS will use proceeds from the transaction to cut debt, according to […] Read more



Olds College to create ‘smart agriculture’ centre

Reading Time: < 1 minute Olds College has been given a $16-million donation it will use to create an institute specializing in ‘smart agriculture.’ The Werklund Agriculture Institute will use big data, technology, and enhanced Internet connectivity to increase the quality and quantity of agricultural production. The funding is a gift from David Werklund, an entrepreneur best known for his […] Read more

Morris Industries gets $3.4 million for manufacturing, innovation

Morris Industries in Morris, Man. is receiving more than $3.4 million from the Western Economic Diversification Canada’s (WD) Western Innovation (WINN) Initiative, to commercialize an advanced manufacturing process and create new farm equipment products. The funding support will be a co-investment with Morris to accelerate implementation of new manufacturing technology that will incorporate advanced features […] Read more


Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler announced at Ag Days the province will explore changes to how Keystone Agricultural Producers collects membership fees from farmers. (Allan Dawson photo)

Manitoba surveying farmers on KAP funding system

The Manitoba government wants “farmers’ and stakeholders'” feedback on potential changes to Keystone Agricultural Producers’ (KAP) funding model — and fast. The deadline to fill out an online survey or download and email it in is March 9, the government said in a release Thursday. “The current approach to funding our province’s general farm organization […] Read more

Wheat

Five wheat projects get funding

Reading Time: < 1 minute The Alberta Wheat Commission has invested $720,625 in five wheat research projects, which leverages an additional $622,625 from other funding partners. The projects are: New insights on management practices for hail-damaged crops; advanced monitoring to better understand stripe rust in Western Canada; improved water use efficiency for better yield and drought tolerance; new, low-cost testing […] Read more