The federal government wants a 30 per cent reduction in emissions from fertilizer, but says it is voluntary
Reading Time: 3 minutes The Wheat Growers Association says claims that the federal government is threatening to force a 30 per cent reduction in nitrogen fertilizer use, published in a newsletter aimed at consumers, was meant to prove a point. “We aren’t really exaggerating,” said Wheat Growers president Gunter Jochum. “I felt they were not exaggerating because of the […] Read more
Wheat Growers take new shot at federal fertilizer policy
Erin Gowriluk new executive director of Grain Growers
Reading Time: < 1 minute Erin Gowriluk is the new executive director of the Grain Growers of Canada. Gowriluk has an extensive background in agriculture policy. She most recently worked for Syngenta Canada and prior to that was the policy analyst for Alberta Wheat and Alberta Barley. She also has worked for Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “A strong leader, […] Read more

Grain commission proposes 24 per cent cut to major user fees
But Alberta Barley wants fees eliminated for a year while Alberta Wheat wants better testing at elevators
Reading Time: 3 minutes The Canadian Grain Commission will cut its two major user fees Aug. 1 — but an Alberta farm group says it needs to do more to whittle down a massive surplus accumulated over the last three years. If implemented, the combined fees for officially inspecting and weighing ships exporting Canadian grain will drop by 44 […] Read more

Jump in: Ag needs more women leaders
Attendees at Advancing Women Conference told their voices are needed — and they need to encourage each other to speak up
Reading Time: 4 minutes Women are still a minority in farming but they can — and should — play a leading role. That was a recurring theme at this year’s Advancing Women Conference, where attendees were told their leadership and communication skills are badly needed. “Women’s voices are needed, that’s my underlying message — your hard work, your commitment, […] Read more

Farmers fear big price hit from carbon tax
The focus has been on the price of fuel, but the effect of a carbon tax on the price of fertilizer, chemicals, and machinery could be much greater
Reading Time: 5 minutes Sixty miles south of where Stephen Vandervalk farms lies the American border — an invisible line dividing farm country with the same growing conditions producing crops that will be sold to mostly the same customers. But the Fort Macleod producer worries that being north of the line is going to be a huge disadvantage when […] Read more

Alberta Wheat chair says rail review misses the mark
Kevin Auch says lifting the revenue cap would be a mistake and reciprocal penalties are needed
Reading Time: 3 minutes A panel that spent a year and a half reviewing the Canadian Transportation Act got its key recommendations wrong. That’s the reaction from farmers, including Alberta Wheat Commission chair Kevin Auch. “We need to have some measure of a level playing field in the whole rail transportation thing,” said Auch, who farms near Carmangay. “We’re […] Read more