Ottawa — The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity is launching a new campaign to inform consumers on how the food system works. “It’s Good, Canada” will share personal stories of Canadians working across the food supply chain and provide information about farming, transportation, processing, retail and production on its website. “It’s natural for Canadians to […] Read more

Two national campaigns launched for food supply chains
It's good, one campaign says, but could the sector have done better, another asks

Federal ag supports ‘too little, too late’ for mushroom growers
Timing of programs for TFWs, surplus food purchases leaves aid out of reach: CMGA
Ottawa — Members of Parliament sitting on the committee dealing with agricultural issues continue to hear concerns over the federal government’s response to COVID-19. During the Commons standing committee on agriculture and agri-food’s online meeting Wednesday, representatives of the Canadian Mushrooms Growers’ Association raised “grave concerns” over the support CMGA members have received. CEO Ryan […] Read more

Caring for horses through the COVID-19 pandemic
A few things will change, but most of what you will need has been designated an essential service
Reading Time: 2 minutes The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the horse community as a balance is sought between optimizing human welfare and horse welfare. Many horse owners are well educated regarding the principles of biosecurity in terms of precautions and preventive measures taken to limit the spread of disease. Two powerful and effective biosecurity practices common to both the […] Read more

ICE weekly outlook: Extradition ruling not the only anchor on canola
MarketsFarm — Although ICE July canola finished $1.30 per tonne lower Wednesday, at $463.50, following a ruling on the extradition of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, Wayne Palmer said there’s much more to the decline in the price. While Palmer, a trader with Exceed Grain in Winnipeg, called the ruling “a nail in canola’s coffin,” he […] Read more

U.S. grains: Soybeans firm on China demand, economic optimism
Equities rally as economies reopen, dollar eases
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures firmed and soybeans posted their strongest advance in a month on Tuesday as rising equities and energy markets and a weakening U.S. dollar triggered short-covering in commodities battered by the coronavirus pandemic. Wheat followed corn and soy higher but reversed course amid forecasts for crop-boosting rains in rival […] Read more

Livestock feeders urged to call before making changes
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Natural Resources Conservation Board, which regulates confined feeding operations in Alberta, is asking feeders to call if they’re considering changes because of the pandemic and increasing livestock numbers. “If you find yourself facing short-term pressures related to COVID-19 and its effects, please contact the NRCB directly to discuss the situation before making any changes […] Read more

New Brunswick to lift ban on temporary foreign workers
Damage 'already been done' for farmers, NFU-NB says
New Brunswick plans to end its ban on the entry of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) next week as the province moves to the “yellow” level in its COVID-19 pandemic recovery plan. The ban, announced April 28, will end effective May 29, Premier Blaine Higgs said Friday in an announcement some farmers say comes too late […] Read more

CEBA expanded to farms, other ‘owner-operated’ businesses
Program offers zero-interest, partly-forgivable loans
Farms and other “owner-operated” businesses with little or no payroll may soon be able to get in on a federal program offering zero-interest loans to businesses up against pandemic-related drops in revenue. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday announced an expansion of eligibility under the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) to also include “sole proprietors […] Read more

USDA sets coronavirus aid payments for corn, soy, wheat
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. farmers that grow crops including corn and soybeans will receive coronavirus assistance payments based on either half of their 2019 production or the supplies they had on hand as of Jan. 15, the government said on Tuesday. The coronavirus aid is the latest in a round of government payments that […] Read more

Canada, U.S. agree on extension for ban on non-essential travel
Ottawa | Reuters — Canada and the United States have agreed to extend a ban on non-essential travel between the two nations by another 30 days as part of the fight against the coronavirus, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday. U.S. and Canadian officials had said last week it was likely that the measure […] Read more