potatoes Archives | Alberta Farmer Express

Trudeau pledges $252 million in COVID-19 aid for farmers, processors

Dairy commission's credit line extended for storage program

Ottawa | Reuters — Canada will invest $252 million to help some of the country’s farming and food processing sectors weather the coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday, adding more money could come later if needed. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture, one of Canada’s biggest farm groups, asked Ottawa last week for an […] Read more

General, Markets

P.E.I. plans AgriStability top-up, AgriInsurance discount

Province also pledges potato storage funding

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News April 26, 2020

Prince Edward Island’s response to COVID-19 includes plans to pump up its farmers’ coverage level under the federal/provincial AgriStability income stabilization program. The P.E.I. government on Thursday announced a support package for farmers including $8.8 million over two years in additional business risk management (BRM) program funds. That includes paying the provincial portion of the […] Read more

General, Markets, Reuters

EU sets out COVID-19 support for farmers

Moves meant to stabilize markets

By Reuters, GFM Network News April 22, 2020

Brussels | Reuters — The European Commission proposed measures on Wednesday to support farmers hit by the coronavirus restrictions, including aid to store surplus dairy and meat products. Under the proposals, the Commission will grant aid for private storage of milk powder, butter and cheese as well as beef, sheep and goat meat for a […] Read more

Crops, Markets, Potatoes

Plummeting french fry sales have potato growers re-evaluating

Restaurant closures slash demand, though 'chip sales have been great'

By Alexis Kienlen, GFM Network News April 8, 2020

French fry sales are down across North America as tens of thousands of restaurants have closed during COVID-19, meaning the potato industry has to adapt quickly. Companies that turn potatoes into french fries, wedges and hash browns are slowing down, because there isn’t enough space to store all the frozen product. In Alberta and Manitoba, […] Read more

General, Machinery & Shop, Weather

Manitoba eases load limits for grains, livestock, vegetables, fertilizer

'Essential' commodities allowed at normal axle weights on more roads

By GFM Staff, GFM Network News April 1, 2020

Springtime load limits on certain Manitoba highways will be lifted early this year for transport of crops, livestock, fertilizer and other “essential” goods. Provincial Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler announced Tuesday that certain essential goods may be trucked at “normal loading” axle weights on highways usually subject to Level 1 road restrictions during spring thaw. Essential […] Read more

General, Markets, Reuters

Vietnam considers CPTPP-level tariff cuts on U.S. ag products

By Reuters December 9, 2019

Hanoi | Reuters — Vietnam is considering cutting tariffs on several U.S. products, the ministry of finance said in a statement on Monday, after U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross urged Vietnam to reduce its trade surplus during a visit to Hanoi last month. Tariffs on chicken and processed chicken meat, almonds, grapes, wheat, pork and […] Read more

News

New potato plant a win for Lethbridge

By Cavendish Farms October 25, 2019

Reading Time: < 1 minute Cavendish Farms’ new Lethbridge frozen potato-processing facility is now open. Company president Robert K. Irving cited the high quality of potatoes grown in the area as one reason why Lethbridge was chosen for its $430-million state-of-the-art plant while Premier Jason Kenney called it “a vote of confidence in Alberta.” The new facility, which replaces an […] Read more

Crops, Markets, Reuters

Target Trump’s base if trade spat worsens, Mexican farm lobby says

By David Alire Garcia, Sharay Angulo May 31, 2019

Mexico City | Reuters — The Mexican government should target agricultural goods produced in states that have voted for U.S. President Donald Trump’s Republican Party if the trade conflict between the two neighbours worsens, the head of Mexico’s main farm lobby said on Friday. Bosco de la Vega, head of Mexico’s national farm council CNA, […] Read more

Crops, Potatoes, Reuters

McCain Foods buys stake in Brazilian potato processor Serya

By Gabriela Mello May 4, 2019

Sao Paulo | Reuters — McCain Foods, the world’s largest producer of frozen fries, has agreed to buy 70 per cent of Brazilian firm Serya for an undisclosed amount, in a deal that will allow the Canadian company to expand its footprint in Latin America’s largest market. The remaining shares of Serya are held by […] Read more

The vast majority of irrigators have adopted precision ag technology and more will follow as costs fall, says University of Lethbridge economist Lorraine Nicol.

Crops

Precision agriculture means less is more for irrigators

Technology has boosted yields while cutting both water use and inputs, says University of Lethbridge survey

By Kristi Cox May 2, 2019

Reading Time: 3 minutes Very few studies have examined precision agriculture in Canada, but a new one from University of Lethbridge researchers has put some numbers on the benefits. And they’re big — both in terms of reducing inputs and in boosting yields. Last fall, economists Lorraine Nicol and Chris Nicol surveyed irrigators in the Taber Irrigation District and […] Read more

Grain drying relief moving forward, one way or other

Major flour miller to buy U.S. chickpea processor

Wet or dry spring ahead? Depends on where in Canada

GFM Network News