Reading Time: 5 minutes A pig disease that’s been around for a century. A new ‘tech cold war’ between Beijing and Washington. A mercurial American president who calls himself “the tariff man.” These are the unlikely set of factors that are threatening to pummel grain markets — and the incomes of Alberta’s grain producers. “I am not looking at […] Read more
SIDE-SWIPED: The stars are not lining up for Alberta farmers
A series of unforeseeable events has suddenly set the stage for a return to the bad old days of the 1980s
United effort to overturn China’s canola ban, say industry leaders
Call for action has been heard ‘loud and clear,’ but there are no quick fixes, warn canola groups
Call for action has been heard ‘loud and clear,’ but there are no quick fixes, warn canola groups
Reading Time: 4 minutes Industry leaders say Ottawa is acting on farmers’ concerns, but are warning there won’t be a quick resolution to China’s de facto ban on Canadian canola seed imports. “Several actions have been taken by both industry and government in addressing this issue in the past month,” Canola Council of Canada president Jim Everson said during […] Read more
Alberta’s new agriculture minister praised as smart, grounded, and ‘a stand-up guy’
Although just 31, Devin Dreeshen has extensive experience in politics and on the farm
Reading Time: 5 minutes Premier Jason Kenney has chosen one of his youngest MLAs to be the province’s new agriculture minister. But although he’s just 31 and has only been an MLA for 10 months, Devin Dreeshen comes to the job with a robust resumé. The Innisfail-Sylvan Lake rep is the son of veteran Tory Red Deer-Mountain View MP […] Read more
To store or sell canola? That is the question
As grain companies try to boost sales in other countries, growers ponder long-term storage
Reading Time: 4 minutes China’s ban on Canadian canola means that farmers have to take different strategies this year. Some are planning to store their canola on farm, while others are planning to sell. “Anything that has been ordered already, companies are honouring those canola contracts,” said Wade Sobkowich, executive director of the Western Grain Elevator Association. “They’re pencilling […] Read more
What should we do now? Don’t panic, say canola analysts
‘Some opportunity ahead,’ says market watcher
Reading Time: 3 minutes China’s decision to stop buying Canadian canola has prompted some farmers to push the panic button — trying to sell what they have in their bins before things get any worse. But those calling FarmLink Marketing Solutions are being told to hold off on making any hasty moves. “This is a premium oilseed,” said Neil […] Read more
Alberta votes: The Big 3 issues for the province’s farm sector
Farm leaders say that keeping producers competitive is key, and why these issues must be addressed
Reading Time: 5 minutes Farm safety. The carbon tax. Research funding. These are the issues that are top of mind for Alberta’s farm leaders heading into the April 16 provincial election. And no matter which party Albertans elect, provincial farm leaders hope to see some movement on some critical policy decisions. “Oftentimes, agriculture gets overlooked among other sectors in […] Read more
More ag issues for Alberta’s next government
There are a host of issues that affect farm profitability — here are seven key ones
Reading Time: 2 minutes The carbon tax, research funding, and farm safety are three top-of-mind issues for Alberta’s farm leaders heading into the provincial election — but they’re not the only ones. Here’s what seven farm leaders had to say about other priorities for the next provincial government: 1. Market access “We want to make sure that, with these […] Read more
Growers fear a China crisis over canola
Farmers are worried but quiet diplomacy is the best option, says Alberta Canola official
Reading Time: 3 minutes Wait and hope. And test. That’s about all Alberta canola growers can do as what appears to be political gamesmanship by China plays out. News that Canada’s biggest buyer of the oilseed had cancelled Richardson International’s registration to ship canola prompted worried producers to call the Alberta Canola Producers Commission. “At first it was kind of […] Read more
International politics add to uncertainty for crops in 2019
Canada’s diplomatic spat with China among the factors that may influence demand for canola
Reading Time: 5 minutes [UPDATED Feb. 26, 2019] Some producers are responding to the market while planning their spring planting decisions. Others are going with tried-and-true rotations. But everyone is watching the weather and geopolitical events. “From a pulse perspective, things have improved a lot since the fall of 2017, when India closed its markets. Prices have risen some, but […] Read more
Data is too important to be left in the hands of others
Canada relies on the U.S for critical agricultural data, and that leaves us extraordinarily vulnerable
Reading Time: 3 minutes Vulnerability is a word that I have taken to heart a lot in the past few years. We are vulnerable when we change, or seek change; vulnerable when we are left open to volatile weather or markets; and in agriculture, we are extraordinarily vulnerable when we are without data. The partial shutdown of the U.S. […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
