Soil improvement is a keystone of Canada’s agricultural future, and fundamental to its longevity, according to the “Power of Soils” report published by the Greenbelt Foundation. Produced in partnership with a wide array of industry associations, the publication is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of Canada’s current agri-environmental policy and programming, what practices are […] Read more
Encouragement needed for healthy soil practices
Report argues for significant investment in programs that are easy for farmers to use
New fungicide treats sugar beets
Nufarm, in partnership with Valent Canada, recently released Excalia, a new horticulture fungicide registered for the control of scab and powdery mildew in apples and suppression of rhizoctonia crown and root rot in sugar beets. Excalia delivers locally systemic and translaminar action for complete leaf tissue uptake and distribution across the entire leaf surface. It […] Read more
No solution yet to Line 5 shutdown
Oil pipeline ordered shut by Michigan governor could push Ontario agriculture into a crisis
What would happen if Ontario went dry? It’s a question many are asking as a May 12 shutdown deadline, issued by the governor of Michigan earlier this year, looms for Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline. The Line connects Ontario to Wisconsin via Sarnia, bringing hundreds of thousands of gallons of fossil fuels into the province each […] Read more
Montreal longshore workers escalate strike
Strike to move from part-time to full-time on Monday
Exports of containerized crops and other goods and imports of ag inputs may stall as striking longshore workers at the Port of Montreal get set to level up from part-time to full-time work stoppage. The Syndicat des debardeurs du port de Montreal (CUPE Local 375) said Friday its members, who have been striking on weekends […] Read more
Health Canada steps back from bans on two neonics
New limits, some cancellations to be put in place
A federal proposal to protect aquatic insect habitat by cancelling all registered outdoor uses for two popular ag insecticides has been walked back in a major way. Health Canada on Wednesday announced its special review decisions on the risks to aquatic bug life from the use of clothianidin and thiamethoxam, both pesticides and seed treatments […] Read more
Ag ministers withdraw AgriStability reference margin limit
Program's compensation rate unchanged but 'remains on table'
In a move expected to provide $95 million in additional farm support per year, Canada’s ag ministers have agreed to remove the reference margin limit from the AgriStability farm income stabilization program. “That’s it! The ‘reference margin limit’ of the #AgriStability program is over! And it will be retroactive to 2020!” federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude […] Read more
USDA plans more pandemic programs for disadvantaged farmers
Review found disparities in farm aid distribution
Chicago | Reuters — The U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday it will dedicate at least US$6 billion to help smaller-scale and socially disadvantaged farmers who were hurt by the pandemic, along with producers of organic food and other specialty crops. The agency said it would also increase by approximately $5.6 billion payments made […] Read more
Ever-changing worker protocols bring farmers out to protest
Farmers, local government, concerned about Haldimand-Norfolk health unit dictates
Farmers took their tractors to Simcoe streets March 23 protesting regional quarantine requirements “The local health unit has such powers if we don’t dot our I and cross our T with our quarantine plans,” said Frank Schonberger with Farmers of Ontario’s Garden, a new grassroots group organized to represent the producers. Why it matters: Haldimand-Norfolk County […] Read more
Manitoba soil temperatures allow for spring fertilizer
Winter ban lifted, with cautions
Farmers across Manitoba are now cleared to apply spring fertilizers including livestock manure on their fields, thanks to sufficiently warm soil temperatures, the province said Tuesday. Though the winter nutrient ban has been lifted, the province cautioned producers to “assess current weather conditions and periodically check weather forecasts” if they’re applying anytime between now and […] Read more
Yes or no now on AgriStability changes, ag minister says
Farm and commodity groups line up to press provinces for decision
Ottawa’s proposals for changes to the AgriStability farm income stabilization program require a yes or no answer from participating provinces, not more discussion, the federal ag minister said Wednesday. “It has been just over 110 days since we made the offer to the provinces to improve AgriStability,” Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Winnipeg MP Jim […] Read more
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