A former Agriculture Canada employee with more than 20 years of experience in the labour movement was sworn in as Alberta’s new minister of agriculture, forestry and rural development on Sunday. Oneil Carlier, who lives in Darwell and is the new MLA for Whitecourt-Ste. Anne, was chosen by Premier Rachel Notley to look after the ag portfolio. Originally from… Read More
Category: News
North America’s largest food retailer, Walmart, unveiled its positions on animal welfare and the use of antibiotics in farm animals on Friday. Strangely enough, farm groups and animal rights organizations alike applauded the company’s animal care guidelines. While both sides are welcoming Walmart’s positions, if you dig a bit deeper, there are conflicting views on what the implications… Read More
Canada’s fight against U.S. country of origin labeling rules for meat highlights an inconsistency in the Canadian position on the treatment of foreign agricultural products, say two organizations representing American wheat growers and industry. U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers sent a letter to Canadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and International Trade… Read More
A feed mill in Winnipeg will be the first commercial facility in North America to use an infrared-based grain sorting technology to remove grain infected with fusarium or ergot. Standard Nutrition Canada Co. is receiving $1.1 million from the federal and Manitoba governments, and investing $1.1 million of its own, to purchase two BoMill TriQ near… Read More
It’s a COOL (or cool)-themed farm news update — here’s “This Week on Real Ag” for the third week of May 2015: Listen to the full interviews with some of the people heard on this week’s TWORA podcast: How Will Washington React to the WTO’s Final Word on COOL? Beef Market Update: Lofty Prices, Tight… Read More
Canadian beef industry leaders have established an endowment fund to support “the sustainable advancement and legacy of the Canadian beef industry.” The Canadian Cattlemen’s Foundation will have three main focus areas within the beef sector: youth and leadership development, environmental sustainability, and research. “If we want to see our industry thrive in the future we need… Read More
It’s a topic that fires up debate, almost as hotly contested as issues around pesticides or antibiotics. Should farmland ownership be restricted to prevent foreign ownership or open to all investors? As of today, the consultation process on farmland ownership in Saskatchewan has started, allowing all interested parties to voice their opinions on farmland ownership rules…. Read More
On behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, Members of Parliament Michael Chong and Harold Albrecht today announced an investment of $183, 929 to help ensure the safe transportation of livestock and poultry. “Our Government is proud to support industry-led initiatives that help to ensure the welfare of farm animals in Canada,” said Chong. “The transportation… Read More
Update on May 20th: The U.S. House Agriculture Committee, as expected, approved Chair Michael Conoway’s bill to repeal COOL on Wednesday morning by a vote of 38-6. It’s expected the entire House will vote on it in early June. The final ruling from the World Trade Organization against U.S. mandatory country of origin labeling and the threat… Read More
A combination of rain, snow, freezing temperatures and strong winds rolled through the eastern side of the Canadian prairies over the Victoria Day long weekend, leaving farmers wondering about the fate of their crops and when they’ll be able to resume seeding (or begin re-seeding). 70 to 80 percent of this year’s crop is seeded… Read More