The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) today launched its Certified Sustainable Beef Framework (and a new website) at the group's annual meeting in Edmonton today. The Framework centres around the five Global Principles of Sustainable Beef: natural resources; people and community; animal health and welfare; food; and efficiency and innovation. “We know that consumers... Read More
Category: News
Both Canada and the United States released their export numbers for the month of October this week and there are some interesting takeaways. Fresh off last week's third quarter GDP numbers that were dragged down by weak exports, the Statistics Canada trade data pushlished on Tuesday showed rebounding exports. Canada's trade deficit shrank to a... Read More
Statistics Canada published higher-than-expected estimates for several major Canadian crops in its crop production report on Wednesday. The report includes the final production estimates for 2017 (although they can still be revised for two years.) For canola, StatsCan estimates production of 21.3 million tonnes, up from 19.7 million in the September StatsCan report and 19.6... Read More
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association is taking a different approach than most other farm organizations with its management. Rather than hiring internal staff, the voluntary farmer-run advocacy group has contracted Osborne Interim Management to look after day-to-day operations, policy development, stakeholder engagement and communications. The Osborne team includes Dave Quist as Executive Director, Norm... Read More
China agreed to expand access for Canadian beef and pork during Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's trip to Beijing this week. After agreeing in-principle to allow imports of Canadian frozen bone-in beef last year, China committed to establishing the documentation requirements and fully implementing the 2016 bone-in beef agreement. A pilot project has also been established... Read More
Farm groups were quick to show their support as Saskatchewan Environment Minister Dustin Duncan unveiled his government's "Made-in-Saskatchewan Climate Change Strategy" on Monday. The province says the plan is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change, without implementing a carbon tax. (Download the strategy text by clicking here.) “This plan is... Read More
Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) is welcoming the Ontario government's proposal to increase its ethanol mandate in gasoline from 5 to 10 percent in 2020. The province's environment ministry published draft amendments last week to update the renewable fuel regulations under the province's Environmental Protection Act. “We are pleased to see the Ontario government committed... Read More
Farmers from Saskatchewan and Quebec were named Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers for 2017 during the national OYF program in Penticton, BC this past weekend. Derek and Tannis Axten and Véronique Bouchard and Francois Handfield received the national recognition on Friday night. The Axtens operate a no-till grain farm with a unique emphasis on soil health... Read More
Regina-based ag equipment manufacturer Brandt Group of Companies has announced what it describes as a "major expansion into the U.S. market" with a deal to buy a 200,000 sq foot manufacturing facility in Illinois. Brandt is buying a plant and equipment at Bloomington-Normal from Kongskilde Industries, which was acquired by New Holland earlier this year.... Read More
The University of Saskatchewan announced a $5-million donation on Friday from A&W to support the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE). “A&W is deeply committed to the Canadian beef and forage industry,” said Jefferson Mooney, chairman emeritus, A&W. “Our investment is an investment in the future of Canadian food and best practices to make... Read More