Farmer Brian Derksen seeds wheat on May 2, 2017 near Miami, Man., about 80 km south of Portage la Prairie. (Screengrab from Allan Dawson video)

Federal COVID-19 response for ag sector remains unclear

Imports of farm labour, crop inputs among concerns

Canada’s agriculture sector is waiting on details of a federal response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic as its concerns pile up. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has stated it understands “the importance of a stable labour force enabling Canadian food supply, and (is) committed to giving Canadians and businesses the support they need” but is not […] Read more



(Obhecc.com)

Poultry, egg farmers renew call on feds for CPTPP compensation

No timeline yet provided for remaining funds

Canada’s poultry and egg farmers say they are disappointed no compensation has yet been put in place for domestic market share given up under the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade pact. Egg Farmers of Canada, Chicken Farmers of Canada, Turkey Farmers of Canada and Canadian Hatching Egg Producers, in a recent release, said […] Read more

Oil is an “imperfect barometer” for how other commodities will perform, FCC’s J.P. Gervais says. (Screengrab from Farm Credit Canada video via YouTube)

Impacts on ag expected as COVID-19 rocks markets

Farmers urged to manage expenses

Stocks continuing to plunge during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic have left agricultural producers in Canada concerned about the potential impact. Thursday marked the biggest drop in Canadian stocks in 80 years, highlighted by many economists warning the country is on the brink of recession. Beyond growing fears of COVID-19’s economic impact, oil and gas stocks […] Read more

An image created by Nexu Science Communication, together with Trinity College in Dublin, shows a model structurally representative of a betacoronavirus, the type of virus linked to COVID-19. (Nexu Science Communication via Reuters)

Fraser: What will be the long-term impact of COVID-19?

Analysis: A pandemic runs the risk of driving nations further apart

As developments around the COVID-19 coronavirus change rapidly, I can’t help but speculate on the longer-term effects of it. By now, much has been made of the economic impact it — alongside the Saudi Arabia-Russia oil trade war — will have on global economies. While it’s guesswork to estimate the total impact without knowing how […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Business risk management program reforms in development

Changes expected to be announced in July

Recommendations are now being crafted for Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on how to improve business risk management (BRM) programs for farmers in Canada. It’s expected changes to BRM programs will be announced in July when Bibeau and her provincial counterparts meet in Guelph. The recommendations are coming after a study by MPs on the Commons […] Read more

Poultry farmer groups have said they support the private member’s bill.

Industry supports bill to regulate barn invasions

The federal private members bill increases fines for trespass that threatens animals

Glacier FarmMedia – The growing issue of on farm protests threatening the health and safety of animals is the subject of a private member’s bill recently introduced to the House of Commons. Conservative Party of Canada agriculture critic John Barlow introduced the bill with the goal of punishing those responsible for on farm protests. Why […] Read more

There were 9.2 billion litres of dairy production in Canada in 2019.

Dairy farmers look forward to CUSMA compensation

Federal agriculture minister says the funds will come, but no timeline has been set

Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau again committed to offering compensation to dairy farmers as a result of the CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement) deal. She told an audience at the Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) annual policy conference in Ottawa Feb. 4-6, that supply management is a “social contract” that needs protecting. Why it matters: Dairy […] Read more


Bangladesh has become Canada’s top export customer for soybeans.

Grain Farmers of Ontario leaves national organization

The Ontario group had been part of Grain Growers of Canada for just over a year

Glacier FarmMedia – The organization representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat farmers has left the Grain Growers of Canada. Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) announced its withdrawal from the national policy organization in a news release on Feb. 7, citing a lack of representation. Why it matters: Ontario farmers will lose an […] Read more

Brexit might not mean much for Canadian farmers

Brexit might not mean much for Canadian farmers

A new U.K. agreement unlikely to be better than CETA access

Glacier FarmMedia – The United Kingdom says it will seek a stronger commercial relationship with Canada after it leaves the European Union than it currently has under the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Andy Barr, head of trade and economics at the British High Commission in Canada, is optimistic a better trade […] Read more